POLS 386: GLOBAL TERRORISM
Northern Illinois
University, Fall Semester 2009
Class Time: M-W-F, 1200-1250 Instructor: Prof. Dan Pojar
Class Location: DuSable 461 Contact: dpojar@niu.edu
831-917-1257
Office Hrs: M/W 12:50-1:50;
F 2:30-3:30 DuSable 476
Overview:
Terrorism is a term of which we
all have some degree of familiarity. It
has received endless media attention the past several years. Yet, for something so regularly in the news, terrorism
in many ways remains a puzzle. You may
be surprised by the amount of disagreement surrounding this issue. What exactly is it, and how does one define
it? Who are terrorists, and what
motivates terrorists to do what they do?
How does a state respond to terrorism?
What are the challenges in so doing?
This course allows you to come
to terms with these and related questions.
As the course title suggests, we will take a global perspective in
examining these issues.
Objectives:
By the end of this course, each
student should be able to:
1. form his/her own
defendable definition of terrorism
2. understand an array of
motivations for and underlying causes of terrorism
3. know the fundamentals of
several known terrorist organizations
4. understand a range of
strategies for responding to and countering terrorism
5. know the challenges in
responding to and countering terrorism
6. place the significance
of terrorism in the larger political science context
Approach:
This course will be a
combination of lecture and discussion.
As such, to succeed in this course you must listen and take notes during
lectures as well as actively participate in class discussions. Reading for each class will be fairly
intensive and must be done prior to each class- pop quizzes will be given to
ensure you do the reading. Mondays and
Wednesdays will be primarily interactive lecture, and Fridays will be class
discussion on current events, case studies, and related materials.
Reading Requirements:
There is one textbook required
for purchase:
Russell D. Howard, Reid L. Sawyer and Natasha E. Bajema, eds., Terrorism
and Counterterrorism: Understanding the New Security Environment, 3d ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009). [You
must purchase the THIRD EDITION].
The required readings for each class are given below in
the class schedule. Readings not from
the purchased textbook are posted to the Blackboard under the dates for which
they are to be read.
Course
Requirements:
1. Preparation for each class is essential to your
success. You are expected to have
completed all your class readings prior to the start of each class. To ensure that you have done so, you will be
given a total of twenty pop quizzes covering that day’s readings. Each quiz will consist of five multiple
choice questions, and will be given at the start of class. Your quiz scores are worth 20% of your final
grade.
2. Class participation includes both active participation
in class discussions and active listening during lectures. Your full attention is expected during every
class. You are not to use cell phones,
other mobile devices, read newspapers, read materials for other courses, do
crossword puzzles or sleep during class.
Engagement in these and other related activities will result in a
downgrade of your participation score.
On Fridays, I may randomly select individuals to lead small group
discussions. Required presence in each
class is part of participation.
Participation scores are based upon active listening during lectures,
active and substantial contributions during discussions, observance of proper
classroom decorum, and regular, on-time attendance in class. Your participation score is worth 20% of your
final grade.
3. You are required to keep a journal throughout the
course. In this journal, you are to
write two-three pages (typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins) per
week. The content of these writings
should be your reflections on each week’s central themes. Your reflections should engage the week’s
lectures, readings, and discussions. Include what you see as strengths and
weaknesses in the various arguments presented each week, as well as cogently
defend your own point of view on the issues.
Journals will be collected three times throughout the semester (28 Sep,
26 Oct, and 23 Nov). Your journal is
worth 20% of your final grade.
4. There will be a midterm examination in class on
Friday, 9 October, during the normal class period. This exam will include multiple-choice,
fill-in-the-blank and short answer questions.
Exam duration will be 50 minutes.
Your midterm is worth 20% of your final grade.
5. There will be an in-class essay on Wednesday, 2
December, during the normal class period.
This essay will require you to answer one of three big-picture
questions. You are to answer the
question in two-three written pages.
Essay duration will be 50 minutes.
This essay is worth 20% of your final grade.
6. You will not be given a final examination for this
course. Nevertheless, in accordance with
university policy, you are still required to attend class during the scheduled
final exam period, which is Monday, 7 December, 12:00-1:50. Bring materials for other classes and use
this period as a study hall.
Grading
Summary: Grading
Scale
Quizzes = 20% A = 90-100
Participation
= 20% B = 80-89
Journal
= 20% C = 70-79
Midterm
Exam = 20% D = 60-69
In-class
Essay = 20% F = 59 or
below
Class Schedule:
NOTE: Dates of graded
requirements are highlighted in yellow.
Week 1 Course Introduction
Mon,
24 Aug Syllabus & Course
Requirements Overview
Wed,
26 Aug Class Introduction
Fri,
28 Aug Discussion: What
does terrorism mean to you?
- Charles Townshend, Terrorism: A Very Short Introduction
(Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 2002), 1-19.
PART I THE
NATURE OF TERRORISM
Week 2 Definition and History of
Terrorism
Mon,
31 Aug Defining Terrorism
- Textbook 1.1, 4-33.
Wed,
02 Sep History of Terrorism
- David C. Rapoport,
“The Four Waves of Modern Terrorism,” in Attacking
Terrorism: Elements of a Grand
Strategy,
eds. Audrey Kurth Cronin and James
M. Ludes
(Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2004), 46-73.
Fri,
04 Sep Discussion: Current
Events in Terrorism
- Read posted news articles.
Week 3 The
Effectiveness of Terrorism
Mon,
07 Sep Labor Day- No Class
Wed,
09 Sep The
Rationality of Terrorism
- Textbook 1.3, 42-54.
Fri, 11 Sep Discussion:
Is terrorism rational? Is it effective?
- Read posted articles.
Week 4 State Facilitation of
Terrorism
Mon,
14 Sep States as
Facilitators
- Textbook 2.3, 88-109.
- Textbook 2.2, 79-87.
Wed,
16 Sep The
U.S. as Terrorist?
- Textbook 1.2, 34-41.
Fri,
18 Sep Discussion: In what
ways do the political, economic and social
realities of the U.S. motivate terrorism?
- Noam Chomsky, Pirates and Emperors, Old and New: International Terrorism
in the Real
World,
(Cambridge, MA: South End Press, 2002). [posted
excerpts]
Week 5 Religious and Ideological
Facilitation of Terrorism
Mon,
21 Sep Religious and
Ideological Explanations
- Textbook 4.1, 207-224.
- Textbook 4.2, 225-247.
Wed,
23 Sep Religious and
Ideological Explanations
- Textbook 4.3, 248-262.
Fri,
25 Sep Discussion: Current
Events in Terrorism
- Read posted news articles.
Week 6 Psychological Underpinnings
of Terrorism
Mon, 28 Sep Suicide Terrorism
- Textbook 5.4, 311-322.
- Textbook 5.5, 323-338.
First
Journal Submission Due
Wed,
30 Sep Psychological
Explanations
- Jeff Victoroff,
"The Mind of the Terrorist: A Review and Critique of Psychological
Approaches," Journal of
Conflict Resolution, vol. 49, no. 1, (2005):3-42.
Fri,
02 Oct Discussion: What
goes on in the mind of a terrorist?
- Elie
Wiesel, Dawn, (New York: Bantam
Books, 1982). [all of it]
Week 7 Globalization and Attack
Methods
Mon,
05 Oct The
Globalization Factor in the Information Age
- Textbook 2.1, 57-78.
Wed,
07 Oct Terrorist Attack
Methods: CBRN
- Textbook 5.1, 266-287.
Fri, 09 Oct Midterm Exam (in class)
PART II TERRORIST
GROUP PROFILES
Week 8 Specific Terrorist
Organizations
Mon,
12 Oct Jemaah
Islamiah & Abu Sayaf
Group
- posted profiles
Wed,
14 Oct FARC & Aum Shinrikyo
- posted profiles
Fri,
16 Oct Discussion:
Current Events in Terrorism
- Read posted news articles.
Week 9 Specific Terrorist Organizations
Mon,
19 Oct Hamas & Hezbollah
- posted profiles
Wed,
21 Oct Al Qaeda
- Textbook 3.3, 158-187.
Fri,
23 Oct Discussion:
Current Events in Terrorism
- Read posted news articles.
PART III RESPONDING
TO TERRORISM
Week 10 Defense and Security
Mon, 26 Oct Conventional Military Responses
- Textbook 7.3, 410-427
- Textbook 8.3, 483-491
Second Journal Submission Due
Wed,
28 Oct Homeland Security
- Daniel Goure,
“Homeland Security,” in Attacking
Terrorism: Elements of a Grand Strategy, eds. Audrey Kurth
Cronin and James M. Ludes
(Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2004), 261-284.
Fri,
30 Oct Discussion: The
Effectiveness of Conventional Military Responses
- Read case study: American Military Retaliation for Terrorism: Judging the Merits of the
1998 Cruise Missile Strike in Afghanistan and Sudan.
Week 11 Law and Cooperation
Mon,
02 Nov Domestic Law & Law
Enforcement
- Lindsay Clutterbuck,
“Law Enforcement” in Attacking Terrorism:
Elements of a Grand Strategy, eds. Audrey Kurth
Cronin and James M. Ludes (Washington, D.C.:
Georgetown University Press, 2004), 140-161.
Wed,
04 Nov International
Cooperation
- Patrick M. Cronin, “Foreign Aid,” in Attacking Terrorism: Elements of a Grand
Strategy, eds. Audrey Kurth Cronin and James M. Ludes
(Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2004), 238-260.
Fri,
06 Nov Discussion: Issues
with Extradition
- Read case study: Seeking the Extradition of Mohammed
Rashid.
Week 12 Toward
a Grand Strategy
Mon,
09 Nov Negotiating & Addressing
Causes
- Textbook 8.5, 502-512
Wed,
11 Nov Grand Strategy
- Textbook 8.1, 444-459.
- Textbook 8.2, 460-482.
Fri,
13 Nov Discussion: What do
you think is the most effective, and least
effective, strategy in responding to terrorism?
Week 13 Intelligence and Iraq
Mon,
16 Nov The
Role of Intelligence
- Textbook 7.2, 404-409.
- The 9/11 Commission Report (First Edition): 339-348, 353-360,
399-419.
Wed,
18 Nov Iraq
Fri,
20 Nov Discussion: The Use
of Torture
- Read case study: Tiltulim: Interrogation by Shaking in Israel.
Week 14 Fighting Terrorism in
Afghanistan
Mon, 23 Nov Afghanistan
Final Journal Submission Due
Wed,
25 Nov No Class- Thanksgiving
Break
Fri,
27 Nov No Class-
Thanksgiving Break
Week 15 Staring into the Crystal
Ball
Mon,
30 Nov The
Future of Terrorism and Counterterrorism
- Textbook 10.1, 581-591.
- Textbook 10.4, 647-660.
Wed, 02 Dec In-Class Essay
Fri,
04 Dec TBD
Week 16 Finals Week
Mon, 7 Dec Final exam period 12:00-1:50; no
final exam will be given, but students are required by NIU policy to be present
in the classroom during this time.
Course
Policies:
1. Your presence in every class will help ensure a
successful learning experience. Thus,
every student is allowed a maximum of 5 total absences, excused and
unexcused. For every absence over 5,
five points will be deducted from your final grade. For an absence to be excusable, the student
must notify the instructor no less than 20 minutes prior to class start, via
phone, email, or in person. Notification
as far in advance as possible is appreciated.
Further, for an absence to be considered excusable, the instructor must
agree that the absence is for a legitimate reason.
2. Continually coming to class late is a disruption to
the whole class. I will take class
attendance each day at 12:00 sharp. If
you arrive in class after attendance is taken, it is your responsibility to see
the instructor immediately after class to ensure your attendance is
recorded. If you don’t, you will be
marked for an unexcused absence. Every
student is allowed to walk into class late a maximum of 5 times. For every late arrival after these allotted
5, two points will be deducted from your final grade.
3. Makeup exams (midterm) will be given only in
the event of extraordinary circumstances.
If such circumstances arise, please contact the instructor in advance of
class as soon as possible. As a means of
maintaining fairness, the instructor reserves the right to request
documentation to support an absence from the midterm exam. If a student fails to notify the instructor
in advance of his/her absence, and fails to provide any sort of documentation
upon request, a score 0 (zero) will be given for that exam.
4. Makeup in-class essays will be given only in
the event of extraordinary circumstances.
If such circumstances arise, please contact the instructor in advance of
class as soon as possible. As a means of
maintaining fairness, the instructor reserves the right to request
documentation to support an absence from the in-class essay. If a student fails to notify the instructor
in advance of his/her absence, and fails to provide any sort of documentation
upon request, a score 0 (zero) will be given for that essay.
5. Makeup quizzes will not be given for unexcused
absences. This should further encourage
your regular class attendance. In case
of an excused absence, you must talk to the instructor before the next class
you attend in order to reschedule your make-up quiz during the instructor’s posted
office hours.
6. Late journal submissions will be accepted only
in the event of extraordinary circumstances.
If such circumstances arise, please contact the instructor in advance of
class as soon as possible. As a means of
maintaining fairness, the instructor reserves the right to request
documentation to support an absence that day.
If a student fails to notify the instructor in advance of his/her
absence, and fails to provide any sort of documentation upon request, a score 0
(zero) will be given for that submission.
Journals must be submitted directly to the instructor by the end of
class for which it is due. Please
request permission if you will be unable to submit your work directly to the
instructor.
7. Students are expected to exercise proper classroom
decorum. Please adhere to the
following rules:
-
If
you do arrive in class late, do not disrupt other students while finding a
seat. This usually means taking a seat
with easy access.
-
If
you must leave early, you must notify the instructor in advance and take a seat
very near the exit as to minimize disruption.
-
Do
not walk in and out of the classroom at will.
Use the restroom before class starts.
In the rare instance in which you must use the restroom during class,
leave and reenter in as disruptive fashion as possible.
-
All
electronic devices (this includes cell phones, pagers, mp3 players and ipods) should be completely turned off and placed in your
bag or pocket before you walk into class, and remain that way until class is
over at 12:50. You should not even be
looking at these devices during class.
If special circumstances dictate that an electronic device needs to be
set to make noise, including vibration, you must notify the instructor in
advance.
-
Do
not talk while either the instructor is talking or other students are
contributing to class discussion.
-
During
class, your complete attention should be on class. This means you should not be doing any other
readings, written work, games, puzzles, etc. during class.
-
Stay
awake for the entire class period.
-
No
eating is allowed in class.
-
Having
questions about the material read and presented is an important and expected
part of the learning process. If you
have a question of comprehension during class, please raise your hand and ask
immediately. If you have an aside
question during a lecture, please wait until the end of the lecture before
asking the question. You may have a question
that arises outside of class. Please
feel free to email the instructor with your question and he will reply as soon
as possible.
-
The
classroom environment will remain respectful at all times, whether lecture time
or class discussions. A diversity of individuals,
backgrounds, experiences, belief systems, ideas and opinions will be present in
class. This diversity is to be treated
by everyone in class with mutual dignity and respect. Be mindful of your instructor and fellow
students and abide by those expectations and rules set forth by this
university. Remember, maximum learning
can only take place in an environment where each and every one of you feel open
and unhindered to express your ideas and opinions, and carry on an intellectual
exchange with each other free from fear.
Should
the instructor find that a student is acting contrary to the above proper
classroom decorum, after one verbal warning, the student will be required to
sit down with the instructor outside of class and the inappropriate behavior
will be documented, with any follow-on administrative action explained to the
student.
8. Incomplete grades will only be granted in the
event of extraordinary circumstances preventing a student from completing the
assigned coursework within the given course calendar. As a means of maintaining fairness, the
instructor reserves the right to ask for documentation needed to support a
request for an incomplete. Without documentation,
the instructor reserves the right to not assign an incomplete grade.
9. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Regarding plagiarism, the NIU Undergraduate
Catalog states that “students are guilty of plagiarism, intentional or not, if
they copy material from books, magazines, or other sources without identifying
and acknowledging them. Students guilty
of or assisting others in either cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, quiz,
or examination may receive a grade of F for the course involved and may be
suspended or dismissed from the university.”
The above statement encompasses a written assignment in whole or in part by another; a paper
copied word-for-word or with only minor changes from another source; a paper
copied in part from one or more sources without proper identification and
acknowledgement of the sources; a paper that is merely a paraphrase of one or
more sources, using ideas and/or logic without credit even though the actual
words may be changed; and a paper that quotes, summarizes or paraphrases, or
cuts and pastes words, phrases, or images from an Internet source without
identification and the address of the web site.
If you plagiarize one of your journal submissions or in-class essay, you
will receive a score of 0 (zero) on it and will have to undergo the university
judicial process. If you cheat on a quiz
or midterm exam, you will receive a score of 0 (zero) on it and will have to
undergo the university judicial process.
10. In regards to religious observances, the
University asks instructors to make students aware of the following
policy. “Northern Illinois University as
a public institution of higher education in the State of Illinois does not
observe religious holidays. It is the
university’s policy, however, to reasonably accommodate the religious observances
of individual students in regards to admissions, class attendance, scheduling
examinations and work requirements. Such policies shall be made known to
faculty and students. Religious observance includes all aspects of
religious observance and practice as well as belief. Absence from classes
or examinations for religious observance does not relieve students from
responsibility for any part of the course work required during the period of
absence. To request accommodation, students who expect to miss classes,
examinations or other assignments as a consequence of their religious
observance shall provide instructors with reasonable notice of the date or
dates they will be absent.” The instructor is respectful and fully supportive
of students who wish to participate in religious observances. Excused absences will be provided, but
students must understand and follow the above policy with respect to reasonable
notice and making up work.
11. In regards to students with disabilities,
under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, NIU is committed to making
reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Those students with disabilities that may
have some impact on their coursework for which they may require accommodations
should notify the University’s Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR). CAAR will assist students in making
appropriate accommodations with course instructors. It is important that CAAR and instructors be
informed of disability-related needs during the first two weeks of the
semester. The CAAR office is located on
the 4th floor of the University Health Services building and its phone number
is (815) 753-1303.
12. In the rare
circumstance that the instructor is for some reason detained from
making it to class on-time, the students are only expected to wait 10
minutes. If the instructor does not
arrive by the time the classroom clock shows 12:10, the students are free to
leave class. In case the university
cancels class for severe weather or some emergency situation, the instructor
will email all students as far in advance as possible.
13. The only individuals allowed in the classroom during
class time are the enrolled students, the instructor, and guests of the
instructor. In case of daycare problems,
please have a backup plan as children will not be allowed in class.
Other
Opportunities:
1. Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to consult the Department
of Political Science web site on a regular basis. This up-to-date, central source
of information will assist students in contacting faculty and staff, reviewing
course requirements and syllabi, exploring graduate study, researching career
options, tracking department events, and accessing important details related to
undergraduate programs and activities. To reach the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu.
2. Please take advantage of the University Writing
Center. The Writing Center is a
great resource, and with their help, students can greatly enhance their
academic experience at NIU. Good writing is an important part of any successful
college career, and the Writing Center is there to help students improve their
writing skills.
3. Through undergraduate writing awards, the
Department of Political Science will recognize, on an annual basis, outstanding
undergraduate papers written in conjunction with 300-400 level political
science courses or directed studies.
Authors do not have to be political science majors or have a particular
class standing. Winners are expected to
attend the Department’s spring graduation ceremony where they will receive a
certificate and $50.00. Papers, which
can be submitted by students or faculty, must be supplied in triplicate to a
department secretary by 28 February.
All copies should have two cover pages – one with the student’s name and
one without the student’s name. Only papers written in the previous calendar
can be considered for the award.
However, papers completed in the current spring semester are eligible
for the following year’s competition even if the student has graduated.
4. The department offers many other awards, scholarships,
travel opportunities to Oxford or elsewhere, internships, an honors program,
and organizational memberships. Please
consult the department’s website or department advisor for information on all
these opportunities. You are encouraged
to take advantage of as many of these as possible.
5. The department’s
undergraduate advisor is Andrea Messing-Mathie. For any advising issues or concerns, please
contact her (815-753-7045) as she is an outstanding resource. Her office is in the political science
department, fourth floor Zulauf Hall.