America and the Challenge of Terrorism
Instructor: David Woolner
Offered: Second Semester
Course Description:
The aim of this course is to examine the challenge posed to the United States by the rise of domestic and international terrorism. The course will pay particular attention to the impact of the September 11th tragedy, but will also explore the roots of modern terrorism and its relationship, if any, to the present struggle with ISIS and other Al Qaeda associated organizations. The course will also explore other examples of contemporary terrorism—such as the rise of the IRA, the American militia movement, and the actions of the Irgun in its campaign to secure the creation of the state of Israel—as a means to help us define terrorism and explore the range of options open to American and Western policy-makers in the face of this challenge. In doing so, the course will delve into the roles played by the American and European criminal justice systems, the military and intelligence services, diplomacy, foreign aid and other forms of “hard” and “soft” power in combating terrorism. The course will also examine the important link between terrorism and the media.
Teaching Method: Lectures and class discussions of readings and handouts
Evaluation: Short writing assignments based on readings (30%); Class participation and presentation (30%); Final Exam (40%)
Course Materials: A syllabus will be distributed in advance of class along with a suggested reading list. Other readings and handouts will passed out at various points in the course.
Required Texts:
Bruce Hoffman, Inside Terrorism, 2nd Edition (Columbia University Press, 2006) ISBN 9780231126991
Russell Howard and Bruce Hoffman, Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Understanding the New Security Environment, Readings and Interpretations, (McGraw Hill, 2011) ISBN 978-0073527789
A. K. Cronin & J.M. Ludes, eds., Attacking Terrorism ((Georgetown University Press, 2004), ISBN 9780878403479
Angel Rabassa and Cheryl Bernard, Eurojihad: Paterns of Islamist Radicalization and Terrorism in Europe, (Cambridge, 2014) ISBN 978-1107437203
Offered: Second Semester
Course Description:
The aim of this course is to examine the challenge posed to the United States by the rise of domestic and international terrorism. The course will pay particular attention to the impact of the September 11th tragedy, but will also explore the roots of modern terrorism and its relationship, if any, to the present struggle with ISIS and other Al Qaeda associated organizations. The course will also explore other examples of contemporary terrorism—such as the rise of the IRA, the American militia movement, and the actions of the Irgun in its campaign to secure the creation of the state of Israel—as a means to help us define terrorism and explore the range of options open to American and Western policy-makers in the face of this challenge. In doing so, the course will delve into the roles played by the American and European criminal justice systems, the military and intelligence services, diplomacy, foreign aid and other forms of “hard” and “soft” power in combating terrorism. The course will also examine the important link between terrorism and the media.
Teaching Method: Lectures and class discussions of readings and handouts
Evaluation: Short writing assignments based on readings (30%); Class participation and presentation (30%); Final Exam (40%)
Course Materials: A syllabus will be distributed in advance of class along with a suggested reading list. Other readings and handouts will passed out at various points in the course.
Required Texts:
Bruce Hoffman, Inside Terrorism, 2nd Edition (Columbia University Press, 2006) ISBN 9780231126991
Russell Howard and Bruce Hoffman, Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Understanding the New Security Environment, Readings and Interpretations, (McGraw Hill, 2011) ISBN 978-0073527789
A. K. Cronin & J.M. Ludes, eds., Attacking Terrorism ((Georgetown University Press, 2004), ISBN 9780878403479
Angel Rabassa and Cheryl Bernard, Eurojihad: Paterns of Islamist Radicalization and Terrorism in Europe, (Cambridge, 2014) ISBN 978-1107437203