Terrorism: Shifting Paradigms (CRIM30015)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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This subject examines the various dimensions of terrorism and its manifestations. This includes the nation state's capacity to authorise and to create the conditions for the practices known as terrorism. In this subject we interrogate the role of the nation state and the rhetoric/s of anti-terrorism that both produce and contain acts known as terrorism. We look at the psychology of both the nation state and the terrorist through different analytical approaches. To this end we examine the function of different terrorist acts - including suicide bombing in New York and Israel/Palestine, assassinations and bombings in Northern Ireland and England, mass shootings such as by white supremacists and Incels, and practices of state terror in the context of acts of genocide, counter-terrorism including the U.S. drone assassination program and torture. All of these examinations are used to assist in trying to think about a new way of conceptualising violence performed by the state, the individual and the group.

Intended learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to: 

  • Identify and analyse social, political and psychological processes involved in the rise, transformation and decomposition of different terrorist movements
  • Analyse the relationship between types of terrorism and wider patterns of social, cultural and political change, in particular contemporary globalisation
  • Use psychoanalytic, political and socio-legal frameworks to analyse responses to terrorism
  • Demonstrate an ability to use political theory to critically explore primary source material developed by terrorist groups and/or the nation state
  • Use political or psychoanalytic theory to explore the relationship between objective and subjective dimensions of contemporary forms of terrorism.

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

CRIM20008 Terrorism: Shifting Paradigms

Recommended background knowledge

Sociology, Politics and International Studies or Criminology at Level 1

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

A research essay

  • 2000 words
Mid semester50%

A take-home exam

  • 2000 words
During the examination period50%
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures. Throughout the teaching periodN/A
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. Throughout the semesterN/A

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorSahar Ghumkhor
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours30 hours: Two 1 hour lecture and a 1 hour tutorial for 10 weeks. The lecture and tutorial programs are staggered and cover the 12 weeks of semester.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

    Semester 2 contact information

    Dr Sahar Gumkhor ghumkhor@unimelb.edu.au

     

Time commitment details

Total of 170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 14 March 2025