Module SOC3112 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
SOC3112: Introduction to Terrorism Studies
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
This module is an introduction to terrorism studies. We will discuss the major data sources used to empirically examine terrorism, the rates and trends in terrorism cross-nationally, whether groups differ in how they operate, the geopolitical factors that influence terrorism, as well as policy implications
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate good knowledge of terrorism: the history, as well as rates and trends over time 2. Critically assess data sources used to study terrorism 3. Critically assess how rates of terrorism differ among groups and across countries |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. Demonstrate a detailed understanding of key concepts pertaining to political and religiously motivated violence 5. Demonstrate detailed understanding of theories and arguments in the field 6. Demonstrate the different methods of research in the field and their implications for relevant policy |
| Personal and Key Skills | 7. Engage in group work to prepare presentations for class discussion 8. Analyze quantitative data using statistical tools 9. Demonstrate written analytical skills by producing an essay on deadline |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes:
- Definition debate
- History of modern terrorism
- Collecting data on terrorism
- Analyzing terrorism data
- Theoretical explanations for terrorism
- Radicalization
- Terrorist groups
- Brief case study: Waves of Al Qaeda
- Geopolitical factors
- Research methods for the study of terrorism
- Terrorism incident databases
- Terrorism rates and trends
- Counterterrorism implications
- ISIS case study: group history, propaganda, violence trajectory
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 256 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 22 x 1 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour tutorials |
| Guided Independent Study | 90 | Reading assignments |
| Guided independent study | 48 | Preparing for seminars |
| Guided independent study | 118 | Preparation for essays |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Presentation | 10 minutes | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 | Verbal, written |
| Poster presentation | 1 poster of statistical analysis for essay preparation | 2, 3, 6, 8 | Verbal |
| Participation in seminars | Active participation based on readings | 1 - 7 | Verbal |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 0 | 40 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELE-based in-class test | 40 | 1 hour test | 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 | Written Feedback |
| Essay | 45 | 3,000 words | 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 | Written Feedback |
| Quantitative Data Collection Assignment | 15 | 1,500 words | 1, 2, 4, 9 | Verbal class feedback |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELE-based in-class test | 1 hour test | 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay | Essay (3,000 words) | 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Quantitative Data Collection Assignment | 1,500 words | 1, 2, 4, 9 | August/September reassessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Re-assessment will be calculated and weighted in the same manner as assessment during the regularly schedule. Note: a separate, but comparable, examination will be provided for re-assessment.
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
Basic reading:
Andrew Silke. (2004). Research on Terrorism: Trends, Achievements and Failures. Routledge Press.
Brian Forst. (2008). Terrorism, Crime, and Public Policy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Clark McCauley and Sophia Moskalenco. (2011). Friction: How radicalization happens to them and us. New York: Oxford University Press.
Gary LaFree and Laura Dugan (2007). Introducing the Global Terrorism Database. Terrorism and Political Violence. 19:181-204.
Jessica Stern and J.M. Berger (2015). ISIS: The State of Terror. Harper Collins Publisher.
Marc Sageman. (2008). Leaderless Jihad. University of Pennsylvania Press
Robert Pape. (2003). The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism. American Political Science Review 97(3): 343-361.
Steven M. Chermak, Joshua D. Freilich, William Parkin, and James P. Lynch. (2012). American terrorism and extremist crime data sources and selectivity bias: An investigation focusing on homicide events committed by far-right extremists. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 28(1): 191-218.
Victor Asal and J. Wilkenfeld (2013). Ethnic conflict: An organizational perspective. Penn State Journal of Law and International Affairs 2(1): 91-102.
