Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Course Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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POL 129 - Politics of Terrorism

Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: General
An interactive course analyzing the philosophy and methodology of prominent extremist groups in the USA and the world. Focus will be on definitions, conditions, media response, and prospects for future terrorist activity. Assessments will be student-centered and emphasize research and composition.
Competencies
  1. Evaluate the objective and subjective criteria for defining terrorism
    1. Discuss empirical and normative criteria for definitions.
    2. Explain subjective criteria for definitions in political context
    3. Evaluate current state of discipline in terms of adequate definitions
    4. Construct in-class working definition of terrorism
  2. Summarize extremist tendencies in the historical record
    1. Early applications in world history (Assyria, ancient Rome, Zulu, etc.)
    2. Early applications in US history (Tarleton, J. Brown, etc.).
    3. 20th Century applications: world
    4. 20th Century applications: US
  3. Analyze the cultural antecedents that create terrorism
    1. Discuss role of authoritarian culture and effects of extremism
    2. Discuss role of fundamentalist religions and effects on extremism
    3. Discuss role of violence and effects on extremism
  4. Define and discuss the relative deprivation hypothesis
    1. Discuss Ted Robert Gurr and his contribution to RD hypothesis
    2. Review contemporary interpretations and critique of RD model
    3. Assess current extremist settings for relevance of RD criteria
  5. Identify the psychological components of an extremist personality
    1. Explain and discuss Baumrind thesis on extremist personality types
    2. Evaluate other recent psychological profiles of individual and group extremism
    3. Compare psychological approaches to cultural approaches of terror.
  6. Evaluate the contributions of Eric Hoffer to the field of extremist studies
    1. Evaluate selected passages from Hoffer’s book for applications to extremist studies
    2. Generate group discuss about merits of Hoffer’s ideas to recent terror events
    3. Assess the relevance of Hoffer’s work over time
  7. Identify and explain the philosophy and methodology of prominent extremist groups
    1. Survey recent world events & groups: PLO, IRA, RUC, Abu Nidal, Hamas, Al-Qaeda, etc
    2. Survey recent US events and groups: Aryan Nations, CSA, Branch Davidians, Unabomber, etc
    3. Evaluate T. McVeigh & Oklahoma City incident as ‘lone ranger’ model
    4. Analyze Sept. 11, 2001 incident as provocation and response model
  8. Compare and contrast terrorism with other forms of organized conflict
    1. Define and discuss, low-intensity conflict (guerrilla).
    2. Review recent applications of low-intensity conflict and performance
    3. Compare and contrast LIC with other extremist methods
  9. Assess the allegations and connections between selected nation-states and terrorist networks
    1. Assess evidence and validity of claims of state-client relations in terrorism
    2. Discuss political rationales for such relationships
  10. Discuss the role of the mass media in extremist messaging and socialization
    1. Identify and discuss Graber’s Four Functions of the mass media.
    2. Evaluate role of media in extremist messaging
    3. Evaluate susceptibility of mass media-based cultures to terror messages
    4. Assess fairness and accuracy of media reports of alleged terrorist acts
    5. Assess role of government in identification and policymaking vs. terrorists.
  11. Evaluate the viability of homeland security measures in the United States
    1. Assess the rationale for enhanced homeland security measures
    2. Discuss the interpretation of the USA Patriot Act in the context of civil liberties
  12. Define and discuss the theses of selected experts on extremism.
    1. Read, review and discuss ideas in main course text (Kegley, et. al.).
    2. Evaluate recent contributions of J. Stern
    3. Evaluate recent contributions of D. Wilkinson
    4. Evaluate recent contributions of P. Sederberg.
    5. Critique strengths and weaknesses of current terrorist studies
  13. Summarize and discuss the perspective of a selected extremist group, and present findings in a written and oral format for assessment.
    1. Prepare a term paper in accordance with assigned guidelines for assessment
    2. Prepare a written outline for an oral summary of findings for assessment
    3. Present and oral summary of findings before the class



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