131-225 Terrorism in Modern Conflict

Usually 25 points of first-year history, see Prerequisites.

This subject will analyse the historical significance of '9/11' and the Bali bombing. Students will look at attempts to define and deal with 'terrorism' in the context of conflict in the Middle East, Northern Ireland, Chechnya, Sri Lanka and the post-September 11 'war on terror'. There will be an emphasis on the ways in which terror has been developed as a weapon of attack and used by state and non-state actors as a central element of modern conflict. What is the difference between national and global terrorism? How do local conflicts enter the theatre of world politics in the contemporary period? What is the role of the mass media in this process? Students will be encouraged to investigate these questions in a variety of historical contexts.

Class participation, and written work totalling 4000 words.

A subject reader will be available.