UnitLevel 3Undergraduate

ATS3380 Right-wing terrorism, extremism and fringe politics

Faculty of Arts

ATS3380 Right-wing terrorism, extremism and fringe politics is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Arts, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points: 6
Offered in 2026: Semester 2; Clayton
Assessment: No exam; 4 tasks

This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before ATS3380

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After ATS3380

No unit lists ATS3380 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisite: Must have completed 12 credit points of level 2 Arts units

Prohibition: APG5667

Overview

You will examine international cases of neo-Nazis, white supremacists and white separatists, conspiracy communities, fringe subcultures and individual actors, and violent events to develop an understanding of contemporary right-wing extremism and terrorism. You will analyse the fringe political theories, religious orientations, identity politics, and socio-political conditions that drive right-wing extremist violence and political action. The unit invites you to address the following questions: What is right-wing extremism and terrorism? How is right-wing extremism different from other forms of right-wing and extremist politics? Why do some right-wing extremists choose to use violence while others do not? How may conspiracy theories and fringe religious beliefs foster, sustain, and attempt to legitimate right-wing extremism and terrorism? What are right-wing extremists’ attitudes towards the environment and climate change? How do right-wing extremism and terrorism threaten liberal democracy? How have different countries, communities and social movements responded to right-wing extremists?

Offerings in 2026

Teaching period	Campus	Mode
Second semester	Clayton	On campus

Assessment

In-class quizQuiz / Test
10%
EssayWritten
50%
In-class quizQuiz / Test
10%
Take home final assessmentWritten
30%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1
identify and critically assess different forms of contemporary right-wing terrorist actions, radical and extremist political movements and thought;
2
identify and discuss relevant conceptual frameworks pertaining to terrorism, fringe political movements and political violence, and non-violent radicalism and extremism;
3
identify and discuss the importance: of personal searches for identity, meaning, inclusion, excitement and transcendence; the significance grievances, and social, psychological and other drivers on politicisation, radicalisation and disengagement processes;
4
assess the complex relationship between mainstream and fringe political and religious thought, practice and tendencies, and terrorism and political violence;
5
analyse and evaluate a range of primary and secondary sources (including audio-visual materials, scholarly literature and internet sources);
6
conduct research and communicate findings through a logical written argument.

Workload and teaching

Lectures12 hours
Workshops24 hours
Teaching approachActive learning

This unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.

Where it fits

ATS3380 is part of 5 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.

Contacts

Chief Examiners: Associate Professor Peter Lentini
Unit Coordinators: Associate Professor Peter Lentini

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for ATS3380?

ATS3380 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is ATS3380 offered?

In 2026, ATS3380 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.

Does ATS3380 have an exam?

No. ATS3380 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.

Which majors and minors include ATS3380?

ATS3380 is part of International relations; Politics; and Politics and governance.

More details

Credit points: 6
Level: 3
Study level: Undergraduate
Faculty: Faculty of Arts
Organisational unit: Politics and International Relations

Type: Coursework
EFTSL: 0.125
Student contribution: SCA Band 4
Study abroad: Available
Handbook years: 202520262027