Course Syllabus

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Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism from a European Perspective A DIS Logo

 

Semester & Location:

Spring 2019 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:

Core Course - 3 credits
Core Course Study Tours:

Western Denmark (Short Tour) - Brussels, Belgium and Munich Germany (Long Tour)
Major Disciplines:

International Relations, Political Science
Faculty Members:

Steen Kjærgaard
Program Director:

Neringa B. Vendelbo- nb@dis.dk
Time & Place:

Monday and Thursday, 8.30 to 9.50, V10-A32

Description of Course

Terrorism and counter-terrorism have been European security concerns for decades. However, with the terror bombings in New York on 9 September 2001 the magnitude and implications of jihadism as a driver for terrorism became apparent to the world and now lies at the very heart of governments, security authorities and scholars globally.

European countries have had a very long history of dealing with terrorism. Terror groups in Countries like Northern Ireland (IRA), Spain (ETA), Italy (Red Brigades) and Germany (RAF) fought for a multitude of national ends, e.g. separatism or left-wing communism. However, with the Palestinian Black September group's attacks on the 1972 Munich Olympic games, the use of terror methods for political ends became internationalised. In contemporary times terror attacks continue to occur in Europe, now mainly attributed to global jihadism. The most prominent terror attacks have happened in countries like Belgium, France, the United Kingdom and Germany. The result has been robust counter-terrorism operations, bolstered legal frameworks and comprehensive social anti-radicalisation programs. Simultaneously, international efforts to defeat and destroy The Islamic State and like-minded groups operating out of the Middle East and Northern Africa is a top European priority due to the direct links to terrorism on European soil. 

This course is a study of terrorism - its causes, aims, and forms – with a particular focus on counter-terrorism and the measures introduced by the international community and individual states. The course examines the implications of terrorism for European politics and the different approaches to countering it in the 21st century.

By attending this course, you will gain insight as to why terrorism occurs, how terrorists organise and operate and the dilemmas and problems which comes with counter-terrorism in a democratic state in peacetime. You furthermore have studied a terror organisation in depth, have conducted briefings, simulations and produced a study paper in which you have demonstrated your ability to synthesise the content of the course in a specific context.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will:

  • Gain an understanding of historical and contemporary European conflicts where terror has been a key element, which will strengthen the student’s abilities to use comparative analysis.
  • Understand the causes and drivers of terrorism.
  • Gain valuable insights into aspects such as intelligence and the role of digital media and democratic dilemmas of counter-terrorism both in a domestic and in a European context.
  • Be able to analyse, assess and present orally and in writing the phenomenon of terrorism and counter-terrorism and related aspect.

Faculty

Steen Kjærgaard, Major (Army).

Graduated Joint Command and Staff College (MA) 2010. Holds a Master of Arts in “International Security” from the University of Leicester (UK) 2018.

Steen was commissioned officer in 1996, after having served as NCO since 1989. Steen has experienced more international deployments to conflict zones.

Steen currently works Royal Danish Defense College, as a military analyst focusing on hard security issues, such as Baltic security,  Counter-Terrorism and International Law. Steen has teaching background from being an instructor at the Danish Military Academy. Steen holds valuable experiences from service at the Danish Defense Intelligence service.

External lecturer with DIS since 2017

Readings

Textbook- To be picked up during the arrivals workshop

  • Hoffman, Bruce, Inside Terrorism. Third Edition. NY: Columbia U Pr, 2017 (To be picked up at library during book pickup)

Reports:

The 2017 Global Terrorism Index (GTI 2017)

2018 Security Strategy of the USA (White House)

Apps:

Fighter not Killer (Download from Appstore Google Play)

Scolary articles:

  • Coker, C. “Asymmetrical Warfare: Ends or Means?”, in John Olsen, ed., Asymmetric Warfare (Oslo: Norwegian Air Force Academy 2002
  • Danish Institute for Human Rights, “Practical Guidance Paper on Counter-terrorism and Human Rights”, 2012
  • Dolnik, Adam ”13 Years since Tokyo: Re-visiting the ”superterrorism” Debate”, Perspectives on Terrorism, Vol. II, 2008 
  • Duyvesteyn, Isabelle “The Role of History and Continuity in Terrorism Research”, in Magnus Ranstorp, ed., Mapping Terrorism Research, London: Routledge 2007
  • Elster, Jon “Motivations and Beliefs in Suicide Missions”, in Diego Ambetta, ed., Making Sense of Suicide Missions, Oxford: OUP 2005
  • Gus Martin, ”Violence in the Name of Faith: Religious Terrorism”, in Understanding Terrorism: Challenges Perspectives, and Issues, Sage 4th ed., 2013
  • Gurr, Ted: Why Men Rebel, Princeton, NJ: PUP 1970
  • Hoffman, Bruce “Radicalization and Subversion: Al Qaeda and the 7 July 2005 Bombings and the 2006 Airline Bombing Plot”, in Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, #32 2009
  • Jackson Richard, Lee Jarvis, Jeroen Gunning, Marie Breen-Smyth,,”Conceptualizing Terrorism”, in Terrorism: A Critical Introduction, Palgrave 2011. 
  • Lipman Report: “The Rising Tide of Cyberwarfare: Cyberterrorism and Cybercrime in a Climate of Heightened Global Risk and Economic Instability”, September 2009
  • Nacos, Brigitte L. ”Terrorist Propaganda and the Media”, in  Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Understanding Threats and Responses in the Post-9/11 World (Pearson, 2nd ed. 2007.
  • Obeidallah, Dean “Are all Terrorists Muslims? It’s not even close”,
  • Powell, J. “Talking to terrorists – How to end armed conflict,” GB, Vintage, 2015.

Field Studies

This course consists of two field studies which will show students different aspects of counter-terrorist operations and the challenges imposed in these.

  • Field Study 1: 20 February, 8.30-12.30: ' The phenomena of foreign fighters'.  Dr Maja Greenwood, Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS).
  • Field Study 2: 1 May, 13.00-17.00: “The Distant War” exhibition at Tøjhusmuseet inclusive discussions with Commanding Officer of Infantry Unit (Royal Hussars Regiment) from the ISAF operation 2012.

Guest Lecturers

Radicalization - a critical approach. Dr Mani Crone, Danish Institute for International Studies. (TBC.)

Intelligence and Counter-terrorism. Special Consultant Esben Damm. (Confirmed)

Terrorism and the new media. Special Consultant Thomas Nissen, (Confirmed)

Approach to Teaching

This course will be a combination of lectures and a discussion-based course using case studies as well as group-work. The teaching will facilitate a reflective learning process as well as a critical and constructive feedback, that aims to sharpen the analytical skills as well as the overall academic methodology of the students.

Expectations of the Students

As the course is partly a discussion-based course and case studies, a high degree of student participation, preparation and engagement are required. Throughout the course, you will also have to develop and practice your own critical thinking by analyzing texts, concepts as well as specific cases to understand the complexity of the field of terrorism and counter-terrorism.

Core Course Week and Study Tours

Core Course week and study tours are an integral part of the core course as we take the classroom on the road and see how theory presented in the classroom is translated into practice in the field. You will travel with your classmates and DIS faculty/staff on two study tours; a short study tour during Core Course Week to Western Denmark and a long study tour to Brussels (Belgium) and Munich (Germany).

 Expectations for study tours:

  • Participate in all activities
  • Engage in discussions, ask questions, and contribute to achieving the learning objectives
  • Respect the destination, the speakers, DIS staff, and your fellow classmates
  • Represent yourself, your home university and DIS in a positive light

 While on a program study tour DIS will provide hostel/hotel accommodation, transportation to/from the destination(s), approx. 2 meals per day and entrances, guides, and visits relevant to your area of study or the destination. You will receive a more detailed itinerary prior to departure.

Travel policies:

You are required to travel with your group to the destination. If you have to deviate from the group travel plans, you need approval from the program director and the study tours office.   

Evaluation

(1) Critical participation and engagement in class and study tour participation.          

(2)  Midterm assignment. Individual Reflective journal and individual presentation.

Students must prepare a max 500-word reflective journal based on findings from the CCW. The student must elaborate a minimum of two entries. The student will present the findings and elaborations in class. 

A group planned and executed manual simulation.

(3) Long study tour assignment. 

Deliverable: a Powerpoint briefing and presentation of max 10 slides.

(4) Final paper: individual work 

Students will deliver a 2000 word (exclusive bibliography) essay on a topic of own choice.

The topic must be approved by the instructor. The student will have to present one page (max) synopsis including a research question and literature list.

For further instructions, go to assignments in Canvas.                                                          

Grading

Assignment

Percent
Student Engagement / Blog Post Activities          20%
Midterm Assessment    20%
Long Study Tour Assessment         20%
Final Paper    40%

 

Study Tour Information
Short Study Tour

There are two study tours in this course which take place on:

7-9 February Western Denmark (Preceded by a 2 day seminar in Copenhagen)

24-29 March, Brussels and Munich

Description

The course will visit key stakeholders in Danish counter-terrorism, museums and scholars to deepen the understanding of countering terrorism at a practitioners level.

The course will visit Western Denmark before it ends up in Aarhus, the second largest town in Denmark.

Learning Objectives

The learning objectives of the short study tour are:

- To gain a deeper insight into community-based anti-radicalisation initiatives.

- To understand the comprehensive approach to Danish counter-terrorism by exploring at first hand how units of special military forces work.

- To gain further knowledge of challeges and possibilities in countering terrorism. 

- To explore the role of exhibitions, arts and culture, including documentaries in deepening understanding and sustaining resilience towards terrorism by disseminating critical knowledge of the phenomenon. 

- To experience the social and local fabric of the Western part of Denmark and thereby deepen the social bonds of the group

Long Study Tour

Long Study Tour

The Long Study tour aims to provide students with first-hand experience of the key political/operational approaches and dilemmas of counter-terrorism in two of Europe’s central cities which have experienced terrorism.

Brussels is at the very epicentre of the EU´s institutional earthquake with BREXIT, euro-scepticism and an immigration-crisis. At the same time, Belgium has more nationals fighting for jihadist forces as a proportion of its population than any other Western European country. In combination with a hard-pressed security apparatus and a complex institutional setup, Belgium, and especially Brussels, has become a hub of jihadist-recruiting and terrorist activity.

In Brussels, our goal will be multifaceted. We will gain an understanding of the EU and Belgian efforts on combating terrorism.  Furthermore, we will visit the Molenbeek station, the place of the 2016 terror attack in Belgium (in which ISIS claimed responsibility) to grasp the horrors of terrorism. By visiting the leading Belgian centre terrorism studies, we will seek to deepen our counter-radicalisation efforts to include the dilemma of how to handle returning ISIL fighters. Finally, we will gain a first-hand sense of the cultural diversity of the capital of Europe.

Munich

We will reach Munich by train via a cultural stopover in Cologne where we will visit the impressive Kølner Dome and discuss the strategic importance of the Rhine in both world wars. A night train will take us to Munich.

Munich is the capital of the Bavaria region of Germany, in the Catholic part of Germany. Until 1871 Bavaria was an independent kingdom which held tremendous political and economic power in central Europe, a feature it still holds in the German federation.

In Munich, we will visit the Olympia stadion which is related to the 1972 terror attacks. Furthermore, we will have a briefing by the US Marchall Centre on its efforts to support the European counter-terrorism efforts. Furthermore, we will have a briefing on German policy towards anti-radicalisation amongst its vast number of immigrants. We will explore the sophistication of German engineering at the BMW centre for innovation and the richness of Bavarian culture, such as the Royal Bavarian palace. Finally the study tour will explore the KZ Dachau concentration camp. 

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

Course Enrollment and Grading

Attendance

Coursework, Exams, and Final Grade Reports

 

Policy on late papers

Late papers will be accepted, but your grade for the paper will be reduced by 25% for each day that it is late.

Use of laptops in class

I expect a professional classroom etiquette of presence during the sessions. You will need to bring a laptop for the class assignments. 

  

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

Course Summary:

Date Details Due