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UCD Adult Education Centre

Lárionad an Oideachais Aosaigh

INTERNATIONAL

The War on Terror

TERM 3: FOCUS ON HN359                                          

Tuesdays

Sarah Campbell

 

It is widely argued that the September 11 terrorist attacks have changed the world dramatically, that nothing will be the same as the world enters into a new and frightening ‘age of terror’. This course is an attempt to investigate the forms of violence known as ‘terrorism’ and the means and strategies developed by governments in order to counter it. After a brief introduction to ideas of terrorism, and the changing face of terrorism in a globalised world, the module will investigate how states and governments respond to it, by investigating policies and strategies usually referred to as ‘counter-terrorism’ and analysing key debates, and case studies. It will look at Afghanistan and Iraq, question the use of prolonged detention and torture as a means of counter-terrorism and debate the human rights issues that continue to plague the ‘War on Terror’.

Finally, it will tease out whether the ‘War on Terror’ can ever be won. The module is interdisciplinary with a strong historical grounding. It will examine what is terrorism; what strategies governments use to counter it and how it is portrayed in the media.

 

BELFIELD

 

 

6 Tuesdays

April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21

7.30pm - 9.30pm

Fee €115

Print Open Learning Application Form 2012.13  or ring (01) 716-7123 for Laser/credit card payment

 

Tutor Bio

Sarah Campbell has a PhD in history from UCD, which was funded by the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences. Her research interests include political protest and forms of extremism, as well as government and society responses to them. She lectures on Northern Ireland history in UCD and is the co-editor of ‘History and Policy’ on historyhub.ie. She works part-time as a researcher on Today with Pat Kenny in RTÉ and has previously worked in the Security and Defence Agenda think-tank in Brussels.

 

Provisional list of key topics to be covered:

  • The Age of Terror
  • The Secret War on Terror: Afghanistan, Iraq and the War on Terror
  • The International Criminal Court’s History and Uses
  • How do you talk to the enemy? Lessons from Northern Ireland
  • Can the ‘War on Terror’ be won?

 

Who is the course for?

This course will appeal to anyone with an interest in history and politics and who is interested in debating key ideas relevant to current policy-making on an international scale. A previous knowledge of history and/or politics is not necessary.

Reading List:

 

The following  is a selection of recommended texts for those interested in reading further around the course content.  We advise that you do not buy books in advance of the course as your tutor will discuss the list and suggest the most relevant reading for particular interests. 

 

 

 

Steve Hewitt, The British War on Terror: Terrorism and Counter-terrorism on the Home Front Since 9-11 (2007)

 

George Soros, The Age of Fallibility: Consequences of the War on Terror (2006)

 

There are also a number of websites and documentaries online that could be consulted for the course. Please note that some of these websites will have a particular political agenda and you should be aware of this when you are using them.

 

 

 

 

 

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Spring Term Courses 2012.13

Term 3: Focus On Courses 2012.13

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