Course Catalogue

Justice Studies

This module is designed to appeal to students who have come from a variety of different disciplines and aims to offer them a grounding in the underlying principles of international law in relation to terrorism and security. The major focus is on the law which is used to define and combat terrorism organized, orchestrated or inspired by Al Qaeda and Islamic State. Close attention is paid to the US led war on terror in all its many guises during the decade that followed the al-Qaeda terrorist attack in September 2001. The module also aims to introduce students to the law regarding hate speech which will be analysed in relation to combatting far right terrorism and political violence. Although the module has as its main focus the law regarding terrorism by non state actors it also explains the laws of war generally and law which is deployed in regards to state terror. The module engages closely with key texts by leading scholars in the legal studies of terrorism.

Outline Syllabus:• Definitional, account for the key concepts and definitions regards to international and security law. • Account for the historical developments of security and terrorism law. • The international laws of War. • Covert/intrusive surveillance • Detention • Proscribing of groups • Contemporary counter-terrorism policy and practice in the UK. • Legal initiatives in the war on terror. • Provide a legally informed critique of recent counter terrorism legislation.

Additional Information:This module is in the overall context of security studies and is an advanced course in international security and terrorism law.