Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Computer and Security Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Radicalism and Political Extremism

• Unit Code

  SCY3508

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

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Description

This unit develops students understanding of the motivating factors behind terrorism and the core ideological concepts and practices used to indoctrinate and radicalize individuals for terrorist causes. On completing this unit, students should have an understanding of and be able to critically analyse the major ideological, political and religious issues involved in the process of radicalization and promulgation of extremist behaviour.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from SCY1130

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Analyse left and right wing political extremism and the use of violence.
2. Compare different state governance models in relation to the terrorism environment.
3. Discriminate between extremism and radicalism.
4. Evaluate the clash of civilisations theory in the contemporary context.
5. Evaluate various models, modes and tactics of radicalisation and de-radicalisation.
6. Outline the ideological and social foundations of terrorist causes.
7. Outline the key concepts of religious terrorism.

Unit Content

1. Countering radicalisation and extremism: contemporary approaches.
2. Holy wars, crusades and jihads.
3. Ideologies and social movements in terrorism: anarchism, anti colonialism, marxism, socialism and nationalism.
4. Ideology, extremism and radicalism.
5. Political extremism: left and right wing extremes.
6. Radical religious movements.
7. Recruitment and radicalisation models.
8. Terrorism and state governance models: Does democracy encourage terrorism?.
9. The use of new technologies in radicalisation: cyber jihad.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, class activities, discussions and independent learning exercises.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• Brawley, S. (Ed.). (2009). Doomed to repeat: Terrorism and the lessons of history. Canberra: New Academia Press
• Mansfield, L. Trans. (2006). His own words: A translation of the writings of Dr. Ayman al Zawahiri New York: TLG Publishers
• Lacquer, W. (2004). Voices of terror. New York: Reed Press
• Wilkinson, P. (2001). Terrorism versus democracy: The liberal state response. London: Routledge
• Sageman, M. (2008). Leaderless Jihad: Terror networks in the twenty first century. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press
• Sayyid, S. (2003). A fundamental fear: Eurocentrism and the emergence of islamism. New York: Zed Books
• Pedhahzur, A. (2006). Root causes of suicide terrorism: The globalization of martyrdom. London: Routledge
• Pachnanda, R. K. (2002). Terrorism and response to terrorist threat. New Delhi: UBS Publishers.
• Napoleoni, L. (2005). Terror incorporated. New York: Seven Stories Press
• Merekl. P.H., & Weinberg, L.(Eds.). ( 2003). Right-wing extremism in the twenty first century. London: Routledge
• Napoleoni, L. (2003). Modern Jihad London: Pluto Press.

Journal References

• Intelligence & National Security
• Terrorism & Political Violence
• Studies in Conflict and Terrorism
• Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Journal
• Journal of Information warfare
• Security Studies
• International Security
• European Security

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