Important Note:
Recorded Meetings will only be available during each semester (6 months period) due to GDPR regulation.PART A
Instructions:
You will create a timeline with annotations including the following four key historical terrorism examples:
For each, provide:
PART B
Instructions:
Write a 300-word report on the Islamic State (ISIS) covering:
PART C
Instructions
Read the following three scenarios. For each, answer the following:
Scenario A: A nationalist group targets government buildings and military sites, demanding independence for a specific region. They warn civilians in advance and claim responsibility as “freedom fighters.”
Scenario B: An armed group uses suicide bombers in crowded markets to instill fear. They declare jihad and recruit fighters globally, citing religious justification and martyrdom.
Scenario C: A minority ethnic group attacks rival communities with the goal of cleansing their region. They distribute propaganda emphasizing ethnic superiority and victimhood.
PART D
Instructions:
You are a national security advisor responding to a major ISIS-inspired attack in your country (mass casualties in a civilian area, claimed by an online video). Draft a formal policy memo (approx. 300 words) recommending:
This is an aggregated list. For specific chapters and pages, see the required readings of each week.
Conflict, Violence and Terrorism Research Center
International Centre for Counter-Terrorism
African Center for the Study and Research of Terrorism
International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research
Combating Terrorism Center
Center for Defence and Security Studies
Center for Conflict and Peace Studies
Center for Research on Extremism
Handa Center for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence
Centre for the Prevention of Violence of Radicalisation Leading to Violence
Institute for Security and Global Affairs
Center on Terrorism, Extremism and Counterterrorism
Institute for Security Studies
Conflict, Violence and Terrorism Research Center
International Centre for Counter-Terrorism
European Institute for Counter-Terrorism and Conflict Prevention
Resolve Network
Center for Defence and Security Studies
Teleconferences' schedule (changes will be announced beforehand in the announcements at the top of the page)
The video recordings of the teleconferences are available here
|
Teleconferences |
Topics/ |
Date | Time |
Teleconference Link |
| 1st | 1-3 | Wed. 5/3/2025 | 17.00-20.00 | Teams |
| 2nd | 4-6 | Fri. 28/3/2025 | 17.00-20.00 | Teams |
| 3rd | 7-9 | Fri. 11/4/2025 | 17.00-20.00 | Teams |
| 4th | 10-12 | Fri. 27/5/2025 | 17.00-19.00 | Teams |
To successfully complet the course, students need to obtain a passing grade (i.e. at least 50%) in interactive activities, mid-term assessment and final examination.
Also, specifically with regard to mini-activities, please note that the passing grade (which accounts for 20% of the overall grade) does not require each mini-activity to have a passing grade but DEFINITELY requires the submission of all four activities; otherwise they are all repeated in the resit examination.
The submission of both the mid-term essay and the 4 other (mini) graded activities must be done on time. Please submit at least one day before the deadline, in order to avoid possible technical malfunctions resulting from the submission of too many papers at the last minute.
Graded Learning Activities:
|
Type of activity |
Weight (%) on final grade |
|
|
1st (graded) interactive activity |
5% |
20% |
|
2nd (graded) interactive activity |
5% |
|
| 3rd (graded) interactive activity |
5% |
|
|
4th (graded) interactive activity |
5% |
|
|
Mid-term essay |
20% |
|
|
Final Assessment |
60% |
|
|
Total |
100% |
|
Activity: Comparative Analysis of ISIS and PKK
Objective: Identify one similarity and one difference between the root causes of ISIS and PKK terrorism.
Instructions:
Rubric:
Overall grade (100 points)
Analyzing the Tactical Dimensions of Terrorism Across Ideological Strands
Objective: Critically examine the tactical aspects of terrorism, including target selection and methods of attack, while comparing different ideological motivations (religious, right-wing, left-wing, ethno-nationalist, and single-issue extremism).
Part 1: Case Study Analysis
Instructions:
Select two terrorist attacks. They should belong to different ideological currents:
1. Religious Terrorism
2. Right-Wing Terrorism
3. Left-Wing
4. Ethno-Nationalist/Separatist Terrorism
5. Single-Issue Terrorism
Consider the follwoing questions:
Part 2:
Instructions:
Rubric
Selection and analysis of cases (30 points)
Analysis of data (40 points)
Presentation of data (30 points)
Total 100 points
Debate on Whether Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Should be Viewed as an Ethnically or Religiously Motivated Terrorist Group
Objective: Engage in a thoughtful debate on whether Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) should be classified as an ethnically or religiously motivated terrorist group.
Instructions:
* The deadline for submitting your original post is May 2nd. The deadline for commenting on your peers post is May 5th.
Rubric:
Overall grade (100 points)
Exercise topic: The history and characteristics of ISIS
Instructions for students:
Deadline: 3/6/2025
The grade of the first attempt is recorded
On November 13, 2015, a series of violent attacks shook Paris. A total of six coordinated attacks were carried out, most notably the seize of the Bataclan theatre, where a concert was taking place. The toll of the attacks was 137 dead and over 400 wounded. It was one of the deadliest attacks in Europe's history and prompted a review of anti-terrorism policies in France and more broadly in Europe.
Analyze the attacks by answering at least three (3) of the following questions:
Your essay should be 1500-2000 words.
References list is not included in the word count.
Deadline: 12/5/2025. No late submissions will be accepted.
Instructions:
Remember, this is a learning forum, and everyone's input is valuable. The more engaged and thoughtful your contributions are, the richer the discussion will be. The forum will be open for a set period, so make sure to participate actively and respect the perspectives of your fellow participants. Remember to cite the sources used in your discussion and maintain a respectful and inclusive atmosphere during the chat activity. Happy learning and debating!
Instructions for Students:
Debate on Policing the Internet to Deny Its Use by Terrorist Groups
Objective: Engage in a thoughtful debate on whether the Internet should be policed to deny its use by terrorist groups.
Instructions:
Debate on Whether Europe is Currently Threatened by Left- or Right-Wing Terrorism
Objective: Engage in a thoughtful debate on whether Europe is currently threatened more by left-wing or right-wing terrorism.
Instructions:
Real-Time Scenario Activity: Drafting a Report on Religiously Motivated Terrorist Groups in the Middle East
Objective: Impersonate researchers in the US-based think tank Middle East Institute and draft a report on religiously motivated terrorist groups in the Middle East for 2024.
Instructions:
Debate on Whether the Return of the IRA’s Terrorism is a Distinct Possibility or Fiction
Objective: Engage in a thoughtful debate on whether the return of the IRA’s terrorism is a distinct possibility or fiction.
Instructions:
Real-Time Scenario Activity: Drafting a Counter-Terrorism Proposition as Advisors to the President and Minister of Defence in France
Objective: Impersonate counter-terrorism advisors to the President and Minister of Defence in France, draft a counter-terrorism proposition, and explain whether a “soft” or a “hard power counter-terrorism” approach would successfully counter ISIS / Al Qaeda in France.
Instructions:
Debate on Whether the Use of Torture is Justifiable Under Certain Circumstances
Objective: Engage in a thoughtful debate on whether the use of torture is justifiable under certain circumstances.
Instructions:
