Program Overview

Course Overview

The course analyses terrorism and political violence, and challenges conventional distinctions between legitimate war and illegitimate political violence. The course explores the causes of terrorism and political violence by describing and evaluating current theories and research on terrorism and radicalization. It examines and critiques military and non-military policy responses to terrorism and political violence. Students will develop a nuanced understanding of terrorism and political violence, as well as policy responses to these forms of violence, from a criminological perspective.

Course Details

• Dates: 24 February 2025 to 22 June 2025
• Starts: Trimester 1
• Fees:
  • NZ$1,090.60 for domestic students
  • NZ$5,560.00 for international students
• Lecture start times:
  • Monday 12.00pm
• Campus: Kelburn
• Estimated workload: Approximately 200 hours or 11.8 hours per week for 17 weeks
• Points: 20

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: 20 points from CRIM 200-299; one further 200-level course from Part A of the BA Schedule, LAWS or PSYC; X CRIM 330
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Taught by

The course is taught by the School of Social and Cultural Studies Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Critique key concepts and debates in the criminological study of terrorism and political violence
2. Evaluate criminological theories to explain types of terrorism and political violence
3. Use empirical research to support or challenge theories about terrorism and political violence
4. Compare military and non-military policy responses to terrorism and political violence

How this Course is Taught

• Lectures are in person only. Lectures will not be recorded.
• Tutorials are in person only. There will be no zoom tutorials.
• Assignment 1 and Essay Assignment will be completed online and submitted via Nuku
• Test 1 and Test 2 will be completed in person during class. The tests cannot be completed online.

Assessment

• Essay Question and Citation Research Assignment Mark: 10%
• Open-Book Test 1 Mark: 25%
• Essay Assignment Mark: 40%
• Open-Book Test 2 (1000 words) Mark: 25%

Mandatory Requirements

In addition to achieving an overall pass mark of at least 50%, students must:

1. Achieve at least 35% for each of the assessments in order to demonstrate the achievement of all the CLOs of the course.

Lecture Times and Rooms

• 24 February 2025 to 13 April 2025
• 28 April 2025 to 1 June 2025

About this Course

The course includes and engages with mtauranga Mori on issues pertaining to the New Zealand engagement in counter-terrorism.