In this subject students explore the origins and historical development of terrorism. From the People's Will to Al Qaeda, we will provide a survey of the most significant movements that have engaged in terror. In the subject we will emphasize the importance of ideas and chart the significance of anarchism, revolutionary socialism, national liberation and religious extremism. Particular attention will be paid to primary texts from influential exponents of violence, including Sergei Nechaev, Frantz Fanon and Carlos Marighela. Students will debate the problems of developing a meaningful definition of terrorism; investigate the ideas and material conditions that have given rise to various forms of political violence; consider the challenge of formulating an effective and just response to terrorist attacks; and locate modern terrorism in a broad, comparative historical perspective.

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