Security, Terrorism and Counterterrorism (FutureLearn)

On this course, you’ll get an introduction to the global issues of security, conflict and terrorism. You’ll discover how to define security, what it means to be secure, and how security threats are dealt with.

You’ll learn about the instruments of security, such as weapons and technology, and identify themes in national and international security.

You’ll explore the causes of terrorism and counter-terrorism, and the role of international organisations and world peace.

What topics will you cover?

- Concept of security

- Terminology used in security studies

- Threats to security

- How conflict has changed

- Drivers of conflict

- Conflict and global politics

- Characteristics of political violence

- Characteristics of terrorism

- Responses to terrorism

- Theories of radicalisation

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

- Interpret the nature of security by examining the relationship between humans, states and security threats.

- Describe some of the key characteristics of conflict between states and non-state actors.

- Investigate and discuss responses to conflict by the international community.

- Identify political violence and specific characteristics of terrorist violence.

- Report on policy implications of understanding terrorism as a form of political violence.

- Explore the theories behind radicalisation and summarise how they influence government policy.