Terrorism: Shifting Paradigms

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

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This subject examines the various dimensions of &amp.amp.amp.lsquo..terrorism&amp.amp.amp.rsquo.. and its manifestations in various parts of the world. The various theoretical perspectives on terrorism are examined with particular reference to the historical, psychological, sociological, religious, political, economic, strategic as well as organisational approaches to the subject. In addition, case studies on terrorism are used to illustrate the various social processes involved in the rise, decline and transformation of different forms of terrorism around the world. The subject addresses the following questions: What are extremism, fundamentalism and terrorism? What conditions contribute to the emergence, sustenance and decline of terrorism? Why do some individuals or groups resort to violence to achieve political objectives? What is the relationship between democracy and terrorism? What is the relationship between terrorism and organised crime? What is the role of religion and politically motivated violence? What factors affect the terrorists&amp.amp.amp.rsquo.. choice of tactics? And finally, in what ways has the nature and understanding of &amp.amp.amp.lsquo..terrorism&amp.amp.amp.rsquo.. as a political and social phenomenon changed over time? Central to the discussion is the impact of globalisation and technological innovations on the &amp.amp.amp.lsquo..new terrorism&amp.amp.amp.rsquo... The subject also focuses on the nature and effectiveness of the various counterterrorism measures in the global &amp.amp.amp.lsquo..war on terror&amp.amp.amp.rsquo...

• be able to identify and analyse social processes involved in the rise, transformation and decomposition of different terrorist movements.
• be able to analyse the relationship between types of terrorism and wider patterns of social, cultural and political change, in particular contemporary globalization.
• be able to use sociological frameworks to analyse social responses to terrorism.
• demonstrate an ability to use sociological frameworks to critically explore primary source material developed by terrorist groups and their supporters.
• be able to use sociological analysis to explore the relationship between objective and subjective dimensions of contemporary forms of terrorism.

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This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• demonstrate critical thinking and analytic skills, through research and written communication.
• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically, both orally and in writing.
• display awareness and understanding of the social, ethical and cultural contexts of research and of our place as researchers.