DA3801 International Terrorism

This course provides an in-depth examination of the origins, nature, and political/military roles of contemporary international terrorism. It briefly examines the early history of terrorism, the contending theories that purport to explain the sources of terrorist behavior, the different types of terrorism and terrorist actions, and the challenge international terrorism poses for American interests and foreign policy. Functional topics, such as the special problems posed by state-sponsored terrorism, the relationship between terrorism and the media, and the range of possible military responses to terrorism are also examined. The course will conclude by comparing and contrasting different national responses to the problem of international terrorism, and examining the difficulties faced by the United States in its efforts to find and effective policy response. Prerequisites: None.

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

0

Course Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of the root causes of terrorism and why people resort to such acts.
• Understand how terrorist groups are organized, their financing strategies, and use of the internet for recruiting and propaganda.
• Demonstrate understanding of U.S. government counter-terrorism efforts, including how the community is organized and the role of intelligence.
• Apply course content to conduct a detailed oral presentation of a specific terrorist group.
• Demonstrate strong critical thinking and analytic writing skills for the mid-term and finals essays.