Politics of Terror and Global Histories of Violence (M1014S)

30 credits, Level 6

Spring teaching

This module situates the rise of the contemporary politics of terror within the global histories of violence that have been part of the making of the international. From colonial settlement and the racial foundations of the modern order, to the deeper historical tensions between Europe and Arabs/Muslims that structure the present.

Using interdisciplinary perspectives, the module provides an in-depth understanding of:

• historical formations of violence and the relations between state terror
• political use of terror and resistance within different configurations of state power
• political economies
• gender orders
• racial regime
• colonial formations
• anti-colonial struggles.

The politics and ethics of violence are examined in relation to the state practices and racializing discourses that have shaped the concepts of terrorism and counter-terrorism. The module concludes by locating the US led global war on terror within these global histories and their competing politics, visions, and struggles over the future of the international.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 36 hours of contact time and about 264 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.