Responding to Extremism: Politics, Power, and Ethics
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| POLI3118 | Politics and International Relations | 3 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- POLI3118
- School
- Politics and International Relations
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This module will explore the construction of the category of political extremism and how states and societies have responded to various extremist threats. It will consider the politics of calling an actor extremist, who does and does not become classified this way, and theories of why this happens. The module will cover a variety of ideologies, including far-right, far-left, and religious extremisms. Then, the module will focus on responses to terrorism in both Western and non-Western contexts, covering counterterrorism and countering violent extremism approaches.
Target Students
Available to Final Year UG students in the School of Politics and International Relations on single and joint honours plans. Also available to Final Year UG students on the Philosophy, Politics and Economics plan, and incoming exchange students based in the School of Politics and International Relations.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
- 20% Presentation 1: 1 x 15-minute presentation
- 20% Presentation 2: 1 x 15-minute presentation
- 60% Coursework 1: 1 x 2000-word essay
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
1. Develop an understanding of the core theories and cases of extremism and counter-extremism2. Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness and efficacy of state responses to post-9/11 threats of terrorist violence 3. Critically reflect upon the politics and positionalities relating to countering violent extremism4. Communicate ideas and arguments via a range of methodsLearning Outcomes
(A) Knowledge and understanding: Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the origins, evolution and contemporary dynamics of the international system and the challenges to it; Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the origins, evolution and contemporary dynamics of extremism; Provide students with knowledge and understanding of different concepts and theoretical approaches relevant to extremism and responding to extremisms; Develop professional and practical skills through an understanding of how governments and international institutions respond to terrorism and extremism
(B) Intellectual and transferable skills: Gather, organise and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and primary sources; Identify, investigate, analyse, formulate and advocate solutions to problems; Construct reasoned argument, synthesise relevant information and exercise critical judgement; Communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing; Reflect on own assumptions regarding the use of counter-terrorism and counter-extremism strategies; Utilise secondary and primary data to construct logical, coherent and well-founded arguments; Gather, organise and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and primary sources; Critical thinking, reflection and synthesis of multiple data sources for the purpose of policy formulation.
(C) Digital competences: Engage with and utilise electronic resources for the purpose of research and assessment; Collate, manage and access the use of digital information; Use digital evidence to solve problems and answer questions; Capacity to adopt and develop new practices with digital technology.