PC4S030 - Terrorism and Counter-terrorism in Europe 31 Jul 2020 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PC4S030
Module Title: Terrorism and Counter-terrorism in Europe
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Policing
Module Leader: Mike Edwards, Helen Martin
Module Team: Joana Pereira, Christian Kaunert
First Intended Intake: SEP 2019 Final Year of Intake: 2024
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100486 - policing
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 31 Jul 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To facilitate the critical understanding and exploration of terrorism and associated threats.

To develop, through analysis and systematic assessment, the phenomenon of terrorism, its increasingly international character, and varying national and European responses to the problem.

Content Summary

Introduction – What Is Terrorism & Counter-terrorism?

Conceptualising Terrorism & Counter-terrorism.

· Traditional & non-traditional forms of Terrorism: Terror & State Terror; Ethno-nationalist

Counter-Terrorism and Foreign Policy

International Institutions:

· European CT

   o European Union

   o Europol

   o Eurojust, Frontex

   o EU institutions

· United Nations

· NATO

· Other Regional Organisations

National Security Strategies & War on Terror;

The Use of Hard & Soft Power in Counter-terrorism; Balancing Security,

· Liberty & Human Rights; Pursue, Prevent, Prepare & Response

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 10
Seminar 10
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 95
Formative Assessment - Independent 1
Active/Simulation Based 4
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically examine current frameworks, legislation and decision making in the European Union in response to terrorism.
LO2 Compare and critically distinguish between differing forms of terrorism and counter-terrorism andconstruct arguments which reflect a ciricicalal understanding of the topic.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Report demonstrating critical understanding of terrorism and counter terrorism in Europe 0 4500 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Booth, K. & T. Dunne (eds.), Worlds in Collision: Terror & the Future of Global Order, (2002)

Combs, C. (2018). Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century, 8th ed. (Routledge).

Crelinsten, R. (2009). Counterterrorism, (Polity).

English, R. (2009). Terrorism: How to Respond, (Oxford University Press).

Hellmich, C. (2011). Al-Qaeda: From Global Network to Local Franchise, (Zed books)

Hoffman, B. (2006) Inside Terrorism, 2nd ed. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.

Kaunert, C. and K. Zwolski (2013): The EU as a Global Security Actor – a comprehensive analysis beyond CFSP and JHA (with K. Zwolski), (Basingstoke: Palgrave; Palgrave Studies in European Union Politics),

Kaunert, C. and S. Leonard (2013): European Security, Terrorism, and Intelligence, (Basingstoke: Palgrave; Palgrave Studies in European Union Politics series)

Kaunert, C. (2010), European Internal Security – Towards Supranational Governance in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, Manchester: Manchester University Press

Kaunert, C. S. Léonard, and P. Pawlak (eds.) (2012), European Homeland Security: A European strategy in the making?, Abingdon: Routledge

Laqueur, W. (2004), No End to War – Terrorism in the 21st century, (London: Continuum)

Law, R. (2009). Terrorism (Polity).

Martin, G. (2014). Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts & Controversies, 3rd ed. (Sage).

Mitsilegas, V., J. Monar, and W. Rees (2003) The European Union and Internal Security. Guardian of the People? Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Wyn Rees (2006), Transatlantic Counter-Terrorism Cooperation, (London: Routledge).

Supplementary Reading:

Hoffman, B. (2006) Inside Terrorism, 2nd ed. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.

Harmon, C. (2008), Terrorism Today, 2nd ed., (Routledge, Abingdon)

Laqueur, W. (2004), No End to War – Terrorism in the 21st century, (London: Continuum)

Law, R. (2009). Terrorism (Polity).

Crelinsten, R. (2009). Counterterrorism, (Polity).

Mitsilegas, V., J. Monar, and W. Rees (2003) The European Union and Internal Security. Guardian of the People? Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

English, R. (2009). Terrorism: How to Respond, (Oxford University Press).

Wight, C. (2015). Rethinking Terrorism: Terrorism, Violence & the State, (Palgrave).