Terrorism and Insurgency

The Terrorism and Insurgency course from University of Leeds will enable you to gain advanced insights into the history of terrorism, from state-sponsored terrorism in the Cold War period and urban terrorists in Western Europe, to the emergence of radical Islamism in the form of Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

You'll explore the dilemmas of preserving democratic liberties whilst developing counter-terrorism strategies and assessing the necessity and effectiveness of anti-terrorism legislation in the UK, US and beyond. 

You'll consider the wider political context and causes of radicalisation and terrorist violence, specifically analysing the geo-politics of the Middle East to appreciate the complex situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban is resurgent, as well as Pakistan, Syria and Iraq. 

Career opportunities:

• This course provides you with ideal preparation for a career in the international political arena. It will equip you with critical thinking, research and communication skills and in-depth knowledge sought after by employers.

• Recent graduates have gone on to work in the UK and overseas for government, the police, think tanks, and peacebuilding organisations.

• Organisations graduates have gone on to include the Ministry of Defence, the Metropolitan Police, International Alert, the Army and beyond. Many also pursue further study by commencing PhD research.

Modules included:

• Insurgency

• Terrorism

• Conflict, Complex Emergencies and Global Governance

• European Defence and Security Analysis

• The Rise of China

• Contemporary Politics of the Middle East

• The Responsibility to Protect

• Counterterrorism