166-216 Terrorism: Shifting Paradigms

Normally two first year Sociology or political science subjects

Through case studies and theoretical analyses this subject examines social processes involved in the rise, decline and transformation of different forms of terrorism, with particular reference to the student movement (Red Brigade, Weathermen); national movements (ETA, PLO); communitarian terrorism (Hezbollah, Hamas); populist terrorism (American Militias); narcoterrorism (Sendero Luminoso); sects and terrorism (Aum Shinrinkyo); the shift from 'international' to global terrorism (deterritorialized/diasporic networks - Al Qaeda). The subject explores theoretical approaches to changing paradigms of terrorism; the privatisation and deterritorialization of violence; secrecy, the sacred and the social; forms of subjectivity evident in emerging martyrdom terrorism; violence as communication; the relationship between terrorism and religious and fundamentalist movements; the role of criminial networks and the media; the relationship between terrorism, modernity and globalization. The subject examines what, if anything, the different terrorist projects explored have in common. On completion students should have an understanding of key diminsions of contemporary terrorism, in particular as both a product of and generator of contemporary globalization.

Analysis/presentation of primary source material of 1000 words; a class test of 1000 words; and a research essay of 2000 words.

• M Wieviorka, The Making of Terrorism. (2nd ed) Chicago University Press 2000.
• S Eisenstadt, Fundamentalism, Sectarianism and Revolution. Cambridge University Press 1999.