Terrorism and Society: Survey of Terrorist Groups in Modernity (SEC341)

There are three reasons students need to learn about terrorist groups: (1) these groups are the basis for analysing terrorism; (2) understanding of terrorist groups will be useful for practical and applied portfolios in the police force, immigration, customs and other security agencies; and, (3) terrorist groups have a high impact on politics and society. The course is divided into three phases: Phase I: Barbarism; Phase II: Ancient and medieval terrorism; and Phase III: Modern forms of terrorism – from globalization to modernity. The course concludes with the impact of terrorism on Non-Traditional Security (NTS) regimes.

• Pre-historical terrorism or barbarism
• Ancient & medieval forms of terrorism
• Modern terrorist groups
• Terrorist groups
• Terrorism & globalization
• Terrorism & the law

• Appraise the different concepts of terrorism in modernity.
• Distinguish legitimate and non-legitimate power in modernity.
• Examine causes and roots of terrorism in modernity.
• Propose factors responsible for the development of terrorism.
• Arrange the different terrorist groups in Southeast Asia in order of their political impact.
• Judge the extent of terrorist groups since 9/11.
• Synthesize the impact of post-war security policies on terrorist groups in Asia.
• Assess the inter-connectedness of global terrorist networks.
• Evaluate the measures used by counterterrorists to address terrorist groups
• Rate terrorist activity in Southeast Asia since the death of Osama bin Laden.
• Compare and contrast terrorist groups in modernity.
• Critique Jemaah Islamiyah’s networks in Southeast Asia.
• Apply security studies concepts to seminar discussions.
• Interpret work-based problems with concepts in security studies.
• Demonstrate competence in academic writing (political science).