On-campus & remote (online) learning available. Students participate in interactive, real-time classes. 2027 class dates:
This course explores the nature, drivers and consequences of terrorism in order to inform effective policy responses. It takes a multidisciplinary and practitioner-informed approach that incorporates historical, conceptual and geographical frameworks and focuses on contemporary counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation policies. We begin by summarising the historical evolution of terrorism, its causes/rationales, and major conceptual frameworks for understanding terrorism and counter-terrorism.
We then explore the development of recent and contemporary terrorism challenges, including jihadist terrorism and the growing prominence of far-right terrorism. The course will consider the intersections of terrorism, political extremism and broader risks to social cohesion. The final part of the course focuses on counter-terrorism policies and responses, including in the context of wider national security policy formulation. The course will consider the Australian experience of terrorism and counter-terrorism, taking into account global and regional contexts, with particular insights from the United States and Eurasia. The course will be delivered by a team combining academic expertise and policy practitioner insights, reflecting the National Security College’s signature pedagogy.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand concepts related to terrorism and counter-terrorism, with the ability to critically analyse them in a national security context
- Evaluate contemporary local, regional, and global challenges relating to terrorism
- Critically analyse the responsiveness of security agencies to the security challenges posed by terrorism
- Conduct independent research that demonstrates scholarly and practitioner-focused engagement with the subject matter, developing ideas and analysis for both audiences
- Develop evidence-based policy recommendations to prevent, mitigate, and respond to terrorism and violent extremism within national security frameworks.
Indicative Assessment
- Reflective analysis (500 words) (15) [LO 1,2]
- Policy Recommendation (1000 words) (35) [LO 2,3,4,5]
- Essay (1500 words) (50) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The total workload for a 3 unit course is 65 hours including class time and independant study.
Inherent Requirements
n/a
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
A list of readings will be provided in lieu of a prescribed text
Preliminary Reading
Readings – Please refer to the Canvas site for the assigned readings for each seminar.
Further reading list
ASIO threat assessments
https://www.asio.gov.au/director-generals-annual-threat-assessment-2025
https://www.asio.gov.au/national-terrorism-threat-level-2024
Danielle Chubb (2020) Perceptions of terrorism in Australia: 1978–2019, Australian Journal of International Affairs, DOI: 10.1080/10357718.2020.1744515
Louise E. Porter and Mark R. Kebbell, "Radicalization in Australia: Examining Australia's convicted terrorists." Psychiatry, Psychology and Law 18.2 (2011): 212-231.
Christopher Michaelsen “Australia and the Threat of Terrorism in the Decade after 9/11”, Asian Journal of Political Science, 18:3 (2010), pp. 248-268
Sofia Pinero Kluch and Alan Vaux, “Culture and Terrorism: The Role of Cultural Factors in Worldwide Terrorism (1970–2013)”, Terrorism and Political Violence, 29:2 (2017): 323-341.
Martha Crenshaw, Explaining Terrorism, (London: Routledge 2011).
Bruce Hoffman, Inside Terrorism, (NY: Columbia University Press, 2006)
Audrey Cronin. How Terrorism Ends: Understanding the Decline and Demise of Terrorist Campaigns. (Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press, 2009).
Donald Holbrook, “Al-Qaeda and the Rise of ISIS”, Survival, 57(2) (2015), pp. 93-104
Amber Hart, “Risks, radicalisation and rehabilitation: imprisonment of
incarcerated terrorists”, Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism, 15:3 (2020), 189-208.
https://hope-radproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Hart-2020-Risks-radicalisation-and-rehabilitation-Imprisonment-of-incarcerated-terrorists.pdf
Tucker, N. and Lemon, E., 2024. A ‘Hotbed’or a Slow, Painful Burn? Explaining Central Asia’s Role in Global Terrorism.
Sakiev, A., 2020. Guest warriors: The phenomenon of post-soviet fighters in the Syrian conflict. Journal of Eurasian Studies, 11(2), pp.188-200
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Assumed Knowledge
nil
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 3 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 3.00 | 0.06250 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $2520 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $3600 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Winter Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On Campus | ||||||
| 6825 | 07 Sep 2027 | TBA | TBA | 12 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |
| Online | ||||||
| 6826 | 07 Sep 2027 | TBA | TBA | 12 Oct 2027 | Online | N/A |