Postgraduate - Course3758 - Master of Counter-Terrorism Studies

The September 11 attacks, Bali bombings and home-grown operations in London and those thwarted in Australia have increased the importance of understanding terrorism and political violence. The Master of Counter-Terrorism Studies offers a rigorous course of study that evaluates these multifaceted phenomena. The course provides an understanding of what terrorism is and how it is constructed and reproduced. It also addresses the diverse and multifaceted actors involved in enacting and preventing terrorism and other security concerns. The range of studies includes units on terrorisms (state, religious, revolutionary and right wing); the political, theological and intellectual bases of terrorism; political violence and political movements; and country and regional studies. Theoretical and empirical units that examine the international processes and events that fuel and discourage terrorism provide further context for students. The course is designed for students who wish to pursue graduate study in these areas and professionals working in law enforcement, public service, defence and diplomacy.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes. For more information refer to http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to demonstrate:

• an intermediate to advanced knowledge of terrorism, security and conflict
• knowledge of contemporary political systems, relations between states, non-state and sub-state actors, political theory, and identity and cultural politics and how they relate to terrorism and political violence
• advanced skills in contemporary forms of political and social inquiry
• advanced knowledge of issues of contemporary relevance
• sophisticated skills and graduate attributes in critical thinking, analysis, research and question design, and oral and written forms of communication

This course consists of three core units and one elective at level four (48 points) and 24 points at level five.

Level four

Students must complete:

• APG4327 Wars of recognition: Terrorism and political violence
• APG4666 Terrorism, counter-terrorism and intelligence
• APG4667 Terrorism, fringe politics and extremist violence
• one level-four electives from the list below

Level five

Students must complete one of the following options:

• two level-five elective units from the list below
• APG5851 Terrorism and security studies research project* (9000 words) and one level-five elective
• APG5852 Terrorism and security studies research dissertation** (18,000 words, 24 points), or APG5853 Terrorism and security studies research dissertation - Part 1 and APG5854 Terrorism and security studies research dissertation - Part 2 (18,000 words)
• APG5858 Internship in counter-terrorism studies*** and either one level-five elective or APG5851 Terrorism and security studies research project (9,000 words).

Note: Students can replace one level-five elective with 12-points of units from anywhere in the university, if closely related to counter-terrorism studies and approved by the course coordinator.

* Entry into the research project will be reserved for students who have achieved a distinction average in all their coursework units.

** Entry into the research dissertation will be reserved for students who have achieved a high distinction average in all their coursework.

*** Entry to the internship will be reserved for students who have achieved distinction results in APG4665, APG4666, APG4327 and APG4667.

Electives

Note: APG5600 and APG5851 are recommended for students considering progressing to a research degree.

• APG4329/APG5329 Political Islam
• APG4336/APG5336 Islam and modernity
• APG4337/APG5337 Conflict resolution and Islam in the Middle East
• APG4665/APG5665 Counter-terrorism policy, legislation, community engagement and support
• APG4702 Culture and conflict in Indonesia
• APG4759/APG5783 International relations
• APG4898/APG5898 The European Union and the developing world
• APG5324/APG5324 Advanced seminar in international political economy
• APG5328 Grand theories of politics
• APG5332 Strategic studies
• LAW7320 Terrorism and human rights
• MGX9110 Diplomacy and statecraft

Students may apply to exit after successful completion of:

• 24 points with a Graduate Certificate in Counter-Terrorism Studies
• 48 points with a Graduate Diploma in Counter-Terrorism Studies.

Master of Counter-Terrorism Studies