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ASCM59
Online Propaganda and Radicalisation
This module will be centred around the work conducted by the School of Law¿s Cyberterrorism Project on the interface between terrorism and the internet. It will also introduce students to other contemporary approaches to understanding violent extremism online which will give them an opportunity to start exploring their own interests in this area further. The module will focus on four issues in particular: terrorist propaganda on the internet; radicalisation and the internet; counter campaigns and approaches to disrupting internet radicalisation; and approaches to researching and understanding the role of the internet in radicalisation. The module brings together expertise from a wide range of disciplines and geographical regions including Europe, the US, Canada and Australia and explores the various roles played by the Internet in radicalisation; the reasons why terroristic propaganda may or may not influence others to engage in violence; the role of political conflict in online radicalisation; and the future of research into terrorism and the internet. By covering this broad range of topics, the module will provide students with a detailed yet encompassing understanding in the area of extremist use of the internet.
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ASCM65
Countering Violent Extremism Online
This module tackles the key societal challenge of countering violent extremism online. The first part of the module introduces students to extremist propaganda, how it is designed, how it works and the role it plays in violent extremist overall strategy. Before exploring the specific threats and challenges that violent extremist propaganda presents in the on-line space, from speed of dissemination to echo-chambers and filter bubbles. The second part addresses the different approaches to countering violent extremism online from disruption, re-direction to counter-narratives. With a particular focus on understanding counter-narrative campaigns, and providing students with a practical introduction to communication strategy and campaign strategy, to be able to design and implement their own counter-narrative campaigns.
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ASCM90
MA Crime and Terrorism Dissertation
Students will write a dissertation on a topic related to the MA programme of their own choice. This will be supervised by a nominated supervisor within the School of Law and convened by the Module Coordinator.
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CR-305
Crime and the Limits of Free Speech
The right to free speech remains one of our most important liberties, often acting as basis for other rights (such as freedom of religion or freedom of assembly). However, this right has always been limited and, as a result, fissures are created between free speech and competing public goods. These include: attempting to draw the line between hateful and political speech; the ways in which individuals display their religion; and how groups protest against governments. In recent years, these free speech issues have been compounded by the growth of the Internet, exacerbating these problems further. For example, how does one country¿s laws respond to a speech crime committed by an individual in another country on a social media platform in another jurisdiction? Or how does the proliferation of advanced video technology (such as deepfakes) affect our trust that the information we see is true?
This module draws from philosophical theory which underpins free speech debates, as well as utilising numerous contemporary case studies to apply this knowledge. Although the primary focus is on the challenges that Britain faces, the module draws on comparisons with other countries (such as the US and mainland Europe) that have fundamentally different ways of regulating speech.
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SSC1005
Criminology, Crime and Society
This module introduces you to the discipline of criminology, focusing on the key issues and debates that shape how crime is understood in contemporary society. After invoking questions such as `what actually is crime?¿, you are encouraged to critically examine how crime is portrayed in the media and political discourse, and to consider how these representations influence public perceptions and policy.
The module covers a wide range of topics, showcasing the expansive nature of criminology at Swansea University. The module will not only enrich your understanding of crime in contemporary society but will also lay the essential groundwork for more specialised modules later in your degree.
Recognising that starting university is a significant transition, the module continues to support you in developing core academic skills in criminology. Whether you are new to criminology or building on prior knowledge, this module offers a supportive and thought-provoking beginning to your academic journey at university .
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SSCD001
MA Cyber Crime and Terrorism Dissertation
Students will write a dissertation on a topic related to the MA programme of their own choice. This will be supervised by a nominated supervisor within the programme teaching team and convened by the Module Coordinator.
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SSCM002
Online Propaganda and Radicalisation
This module provides a critical foundation for understanding and researching terrorism, extremism, and the role of digital technologies in shaping radicalisation and propaganda. The first part of the module introduces you to core theoretical and conceptual frameworks, situating extremist propaganda within wider debates about political violence, security, and communication. You will engage directly with contemporary examples of online extremist content from across different ideological movements, while developing the analytical and ethical tools needed to evaluate them responsibly. In the second part of the module, you will examine processes of radicalisation with a particular focus on digital pathways, online communities, and the ways in which conflict, identity, and grievance are mobilised in cyberspace. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives and case studies from Europe, North America, and Australasia, the module interrogates the internet¿s evolving role in enabling, amplifying, and sometimes constraining extremism.
Throughout, you will engage in research-led, problem-based learning that bridges theory and practice. By the end of the module, you will be able to critically evaluate why extremist propaganda may or may not inspire violence, assess the interaction between political conflict and digital radicalisation, and reflect on the methodological, ethical, and policy challenges of researching terrorism online. This will equip you with an advanced, globally informed understanding of extremist use of the internet and its implications for practice, policy, and future research across the programme.
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SSCM003
Countering Violent Extremism Online
This module tackles the key societal challenge of countering violent extremism online. The first part of the module introduces the theoretical underpinnings that will guide the following weeks. It first discusses the concept of countering terrorism and violent extremism, before moving on to a lecture on communications theory, assessing the ways in which audiences can be persuaded by strategic communications.
The second part addresses the different approaches to countering violent extremism online from disruption, re-direction to counter- narratives. With a particular focus on understanding counter-narrative campaigns, and providing students with a practical introduction to communication strategy and campaign strategy, to be able to design and implement their own counter-narrative campaigns.
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SSCN00
Guest Lecture Series
The module involves a weekly guest lecture slot where students have the invaluable opportunity to learn from industry experts about the topics of cyber crime and terrorism from beyond the academic setting. These guest lectures are an opportunity to enhance knowledge but just as importantly offer a networking opportunity with companies and organisations relevant to the future careers of students of the MA Cyber Crime & Terrorism.
