CONF 758

Terrorism is a global problem that impacts hundreds of thousands of people round the world. Modern terrorism movements have include by state and non-state actors and targeted both civilian and government targets. Terrorism is a tactic used by groups on the left and the right of the social spectrum as a tool to address political goals. The course begins with a consideration of different definitions of terrorism and the consequences of the “terrorist” label. Subsequent topics include a broad survey of modern terrorism, the range of actors involved in terrorism, and cross-state comparisons of reactions to terrorism. Students will learn a method for analyzing conflict and use it to identify the sources and conditions that give rise to terrorism and the impacts that terrorist activities have on different societies. Great variation in both the forms terrorism takes and also in the impact of terrorism on social systems justifies focusing, on the one hand, on the social dynamics that give rise to terrorism and, on the other hand, on the effects on social dynamics in societies struggling with the threat and reality of terrorism. Students will develop case studies of terrorist organizations that will be used for cross-state comparisons of the dynamics of terrorism. Through course readings, films, and case study presentations students will become acquainted with a variety of theories for understanding terrorism and with many of the policies intended to address it.