The Terrorism Studies online course from the University of St Andrews has launched two new study options, in Terrorism Intelligence and IEDs, adding to the existing 12 modules.
Both are delivered by tutored online elearning which is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection and offers study for the policing, security, military and civilian communities.
The new intelligence course investigates the rapid increase in the study and use of intelligence in counter-terrorism operations. It analyses the use of intelligence in decision making, the challenges encountered, how it is used by the terrorists themselves, types of intelligence and its future. Policy decisions are explored with processes and structure of intelligence communities. Important, and topical, issues of law and human rights, including privacy, data protection and freedom of information are studied with comparisons between political, military, commercial, economic and ‘cultural’ intelligence, before considering the use of the internet and cyber intelligence in the future.
The IEDs module explores the growing range of threats from the terrorist weapon of choice in military and civilian arenas, with how they are dealt with and prevented via counter-IED technology. As well as exploring the technologies of IEDs, the course examines differing IED strategies, such as comparing Al Qaeda suicide mass killings with the IRA aiming primarily at specific targets, and then how terrorists use supply chains to obtain the explosives and components for IEDs. Emerging threats, including improvised thermobaric weapons and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) IEDs are considered, along with IED intelligence, detection, forensics and the challenges in dealing with evolving devices, such as improvised CBRN IEDs.
Those looking to boost their present or future career options, with many using ELC funding (provider no 2035). Full course details are accessible via www.terrorismstudies.com/FLR2398ED2D1.
Delivered by the Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV) at the University of St Andrews in a partnership with IBC Academy, the course has enrolled over 4300 students in the last seven years. Many students return to study additional optional modules. These include:
Key Issues in International Terrorism; Terrorist Ideologies, Aims, Beliefs and Motivations; Terrorist Modus Operandi; International Policing Policy; Cyberterrorism; Critical Infrastructure Protection; Aviation Terrorism and Security; Maritime Terrorism and Security; Radicalisation and De-Radicalisation; CBRN Weapons in Terrorism; Terrorism and Human Rights; Homeland Security, and, these new Intelligence and IEDs modules.
About the Centre
The CSTPV was founded in 1994 and is Europe’s oldest Centre for studying terrorism, for understanding the subject in a practical as well as academic manner. CSTPV is for the study of the causes, dynamics, characteristics and consequences of terrorism and related forms of political violence, with rigorous, evidence-based, scholarly analysis that is policy-relevant but independent.
The Certificate and Advanced Certificate details and study options can be found at www.terrorismstudies.com/FLR2398ED2D1
