A history of modern terrorism: 'the infernal machine', 1800 onwards
Key facts
- Cost: £170
- Credits: 10
Summary
After 9/11, the ‘war on terror’ could give the impression that terrorism was a singular phenomenon, a collective enemy against the world order. Yet the phenomenon of organised political violence is a tactic as old as warfare itself and possesses a myriad of situational and inter-connected motivations from economic injustice, religious fervour and ethnic persecution to colonial oppression and extreme nationalism. Is it possible to find some common reasons as to why people become terrorists, why these conflicts endure and how to resolve them? What can be learned from the different ways that ‘terrorism’ has been defined and targeted in the modern era? What can terrorism tell us about the political history of state and international security?
Join this timely and reflective course to take a closer look at the history of modern terrorism: its methods, motives, aims and state responses stretching from its origins in the wake of the French Revolution (where the term ‘terrorism’ itself emerges), through to the anarchists of the 1880s to the left- and right-wing clashes of the 20th and 21st century including the multinational operations of ‘Islamic’ terrorist groups today.
Over a series of talks our expert tutor will explain:
- The origins and character of anti-state terrorism in the wake of the French Revolution.
- The key political, religious, social, economic and cultural contexts in which terrorism emerges.
- The evolution of the ideology of terrorism through the thought of its key thinkers (Bakunin, Fanon, Che Guevara, Qutb etc) as well as state security responses to terrorism
- Key contemporary sources and later historical perspectives
Students will also have the opportunity to debate and discuss these ideas with other students and the tutor in class
Choose this course if you want to:
- Understand the growth and impact of terrorism as a political strategy in the modern world
- Reflect on the impact of notorious terrorist attacks and the groups behind them in a broader context
- Try to understand the ‘terrorist mindset’: why individuals and groups advocate terrorism and whether it ever works in achieving its goals
- Look more closely the difficult political instability of the term ‘terrorism’ that some states have manipulated for their own ends
- Take a longer view to debunk media myths about terrorism which permeate popular culture
Who is this course for?
Anyone new to studying history and politics and interested in:
- The modern history of political violence and terrorism, and the ideologies that lay behind them
- Modern history of state security
- Global politics
Assessment
This course offers the option of assessment for credit
- 500 word commentary, 1 page poster or 5 minute presentation (25% of final grade)
- 1,500 word essay (75% of final grade)
Mode of study
This 10-week course will be delivered via 2-hour seminars led by a tutor.
Course materials will be provided via our online learning platform Moodle
Prospects
- Can begin your study of history at university level
- contribute towards a Certificate or Diploma in Higher Education
Find out more
The University holds open days throughout the year where you can meet with staff to discuss our short course provision. Find out more about University of Glasgow open days
Available sessions
- Date: 25/09/2024 - 27/11/2024
Day: Wednesday
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Reference: A history of modern terrorism: 'the infernal machine', 1800 onwards(18563)- Online live book now