Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: 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

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• 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.

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

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

Journal References

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

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