58吃瓜

IR5859 Counterterrorism and Human Rights

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students enrolled on online MLitt programmes in the School of IR

Module coordinator

Dr K J McConaghy

Dr K J McConaghy
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Kieran McConaghy

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

One of the central dilemmas of global and domestic politics in the twenty first century has been understanding if and how states can counter terrorism while respecting and upholding human rights. This module explores that fundamental tension through the analysis of a range of state counterterrorism practices. It looks both at historical and contemporary cases, demonstrating the continuity and long historical roots of practices of statecraft that violate human rights. It outlines instruments of international human rights law and discusses key bodies and organisations with relevant remits. It draws examples of counterterrorism practices from a number of contexts globally, though our focus is predominantly on self-styled 鈥榣iberal democracies鈥�.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

The module is structured into six units rather than weeks. During the module there are two optional synchronous tutorials with students needing to engage in further asynchronous study.

Scheduled learning hours

11

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

138

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • demonstrate an understanding of the core tenets of key human rights frameworks
  • analyse and evaluate key relevant terminology
  • articulate ways in which counterterrorism practices have clashed with the principles of human rights
  • evaluate case studies of counterterrorism practices in terms of their impact on civil liberties and human rights
  • develop their critical academic research skills, including the identification of relevant scholarship and of useful texts and information through the internet, as well as published archival documents