Course unit details:
Counter Terrorism and Human Rights
Unit code | LAWS30711 |
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Credit rating | 20 |
Unit level | Level 3 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
The Counter-terrorism and human rights course unit examines the development of counter-terrorism legislation, policy and practice in the United Kingdom and internationally. Principles associated with criminal justice standards (including police powers and suspects' safeguards), human rights and constitutional separation of powers, UK's counter-terrorism strategy, use of intelligence and special powers will be examined in detail.
Course content:
Counter-terrorism models
Counter-terrorism case studies
UK counter-terrorism strategy
Special powers to combat terrorism
Interface between human rights and counter-terrorism
Aims
The unit aims to:
Develop knowledge and understanding of counter-terrorism and human rights from interdisciplinary perspectives and the ability to work independently and collaboratively to develop and present oral and written arguments.
Learning outcomes
Teaching and learning methods
20 hours of lectures; 10 hours of seminars; 10 drop in/feedback hours. Weekly lectures provide a background to the subject and the Course Unit Director will be available in weekly drop in/feedback hours to answer students' queries. Weekly seminars are organised into a series of discussions in which sub groups develop and present arguments against each other. There is not a set textbook for this course and the vast majority of the reading is electronically available in academic journals, eBooks, official documents, which can be accessed through seminar reading lists.
Students are encouraged to submit a 1500 word non-assessed essay in mid semester, before Reading Week, and feedback will be given in seminars.
Knowledge and understanding
Understand models of counter-terrorism and the principles underpinning them;
comprehend how counter-terrorism legislation, policy and practice have developed in the UK and internationally, particularly since the events of 11 September 2001; recognise the contribution research and academic discourse have made to the knowledge and understanding of counter-terrorism and human rights.
Intellectual skills
critically analyse counter-terrorism dilemmas; e.g. the conflict between security and liberty; evaluate whether or not counter-terrorism policies and practices are fair and effective; critically engage with the research and ideas of scholars in the field of counter-terrorism and human rights.
Assessment methods
100% examination, seen examination (2 hours)
Students will be provided with a preliminary examination paper at the end of teaching containing five questions. When candidates sit their examination two of these questions will have been removed from the Examination Paper and they will be required to answer two of the remaining three questions.
Feedback methods
Optional non-assessed essay (1500 words).
Formative feedback at the end of each seminar
Formative feedback on mock exam question
Recommended reading
Recommended reading
GENERAL TEXT;
Townshend, Charles (2002), Terrorism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: OUP.
Wilkinson, P. (2011), Terrorism versus Democracy: The Liberal State Response, 3rd Edition. Routledge
There is not a core text for this module. Links to electronic journal articles and official reports will be included on seminar reading lists.
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Assessment written exam | 2 |
Lectures | 20 |
Seminars | 10 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Graham Smith | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
Closed Book Examination
Information
Open to all final year students in the School of Social Sciences.
This course is available to incoming study abroad students.
Timetable
See Law School timetable