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Political Violence, Surveillance and Democracy unit (HIR306)

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Unit year 2027

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Location: Hobart, Online

Introduction

Political violence appears in many different forms across the world. While in the 2010s the focus has been, in Western democracies, on extremist religious violence, notably so called Islamist terrorism, there has been a rise in right-wing extremist violence in the past couple of years. At the same time, governments, autocratic and democratic alike, have increased the everyday surveillance of their citizens. To a large extent, this has been enabled by the development of what Shoshana Zuboff has called 'surveillance capitalism', i.e. the harvesting and commercial as well as political use of personal data harvested from online usages by private companies. The unit retraces these developments by paying close attention to the intersection of anti-democratic and violent politics, and the development of surveillance technologies.

Summary

Unit name Political Violence, Surveillance and Democracy
Unit code HIR306
Credit points 12.5
College/School Arts and Society
Humanities and Social Sciences
Discipline Politics and International Relations
Coordinator Doctor Catherine Goetze
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Advanced

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 2 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Online Semester 2 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 2 4/7/2027 26/7/2027 29/8/2027 23/10/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain key ideas, debates and theoretical perspectives in the field of political violence and terrorism.
  • Apply theoretical perspectives and debates on political violence and terrorism to real world examples.
  • Analyse the complex and dynamic relationships between political actors and institutions at local, national and/or international levels.
  • Communicate your ideas fluently drawing upon evidence, and apply referencing and style conventions as appropriate.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
090101 $2,253.00 $1,057.00 not applicable
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

HIR101 - Introduction to International Relations

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

HIR206

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

On campus

Weekly workshop (2 hours)

Online

Weekly workshop via Zoom or recording (2 hours)

AssessmentReflection Note (10%)|Major Essay (40%)|Exam (50%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Please see MyLO for readings.

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