Catalog Description
Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Overview of terrorism, including history, motives, and political impact. Implications of counterterrorism policies. (CSU, UC)
Course Student Learning Outcomes
- CSLO #1: Define terrorism and counterterrorism in order to distinguish them from other related forms of political behavior.
- CSLO #2: Evaluate the potential material and ideational causes of terrorism.
- CSLO #3: Explain the role that different motivating ideas have in selecting targets and tactics.
- CSLO #4: Explain why the media plays a crucial role in terrorism and counterterrorism.
- CSLO #5: Outline counterterrorism policy options and assess their acceptability and effectiveness.
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Type
Credit - Degree-applicable
Contact Hours
54
Outside of Class Hours
108
Total Student Learning Hours
162
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Define terrorism and distinguish it from other forms of political violence;
2. compare potential material and ideational causes of terrorism;
3. trace the historical evolution of the contemporary phenomenon, focusing on motives, targets and tactics;
4. summarize the tradeoffs involved when terrorists opt for particular forms of organization;
5. evaluate the causal links between ideology and technology on the one hand and targets and tactics on the other;
6. explain why the media plays a crucial role in terrorism and counterterrorism;
7. discuss the motives behind counterterrorism and the role of bureaucracy;
8. evaluate policy options aimed at popular and state support in light of acceptability and effectiveness;
9. evaluate policy options aimed at terrorist groups in light of acceptability and effectiveness;
10. defend and critique America's homeland security policies and its international conduct as they relate to terrorism's causes and antidotes.
General Education Information
- Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
- AA/AS - Social Sciences
- CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
- CSUGE - D Social Sciences
- CSUGE - D8 Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In
- Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
- IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)
- IGETC - 4 Soc./Behav Sciences
- IGETC - 4H Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In
Articulation Information
- CSU Transferable
- UC Transferable
Methods of Evaluation
- Classroom Discussions
- Example: Instructor will elicit student summaries and interpretations of news articles provided at the end of the prior class session related to counterterrorism tactics. Graded on effective application of relevant concepts.
- Essay Examinations
- Example: A written midterm assessing learning of definition, organization and tactics of terrorism consisting of IDs, short answer, paragraphs and essays. Example: summarize the need for a definition of terrorism. Graded on basis of rubric outline rationale and components of a definition.
- Objective Examinations
- Example: Instructor will administer quizzes on the reading material to ensure that students are learning key terms and major concepts. Example: The Palmers characterize the Muslim Brotherhood as: a) terrorists; b) friendly with Iran; c) potential partners; or, d) apostates. Correct responses indicate student learning on US policy options.
- Reports
- Example: Instructor will ask the student to find 4-7 websites with information on a particular terrorist group. Student will print them off, read them, write a one-page summary of the information found, turn it all in as one project. Graded on basis of meeting the definition and effective application of other key concepts.
Repeatable
No
Methods of Instruction
- Lecture/Discussion
- Distance Learning
Lecture:
- Instructor will organize a simulation of crisis decision making in reaction to a terrorist incident and guide students through its stages. Students will then write an essay reflecting on insights into counterterrorism.
Distance Learning
- Instructor will provide students with text and audio-visual learning materials (e.g. videos, PowerPoint, lecture notes) supported by textbook chapters on civil liberties. Students will need to use this material to effectively participate in discussions that the instructor will monitor to provide clarification and correction when needed.
Typical Out of Class Assignments
Reading Assignments
1. Read chapter on the media (20 pp) at home and discuss two recent news articles on terrorist attacks or the war on terrorism in class. 2. Read one of two recent articles from Foreign Affairs on America's war with terrorism and write a one-page review.
Writing, Problem Solving or Performance
1. Give students a take-home essay question on the evolution of terrorism in reaction to a video shown in class. 2. Write one-page essays reacting to in-class simulations that identify the key problems with addressing terrorist incidents.
Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)
Required Materials
- Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century
- Author: Cindy Combs
- Publisher: Prentice Hall
- Publication Date: 2017
- Text Edition: 8th
- Classic Textbook?:
- OER Link:
- OER:
- Terrorism freedom and Security
- Author: Philip Heymann
- Publisher: BCSIA
- Publication Date: 2004
- Text Edition: 1st
- Classic Textbook?:
- OER Link:
- OER:
- Understanding Terrorism: Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues
- Author: Gus Martin
- Publisher: Sage
- Publication Date: 2020
- Text Edition: 7th
- Classic Textbook?:
- OER Link:
- OER:
- Terrorism and Counterterrorism
- Author: Brigitte Nacos
- Publisher: Pearson
- Publication Date: 2019
- Text Edition: 6th
- Classic Textbook?:
- OER Link:
- OER:
- Terrorism and Homeland Security
- Author: Jonathan White
- Publisher: Cengage
- Publication Date: 2016
- Text Edition: 9th
- Classic Textbook?:
- OER Link:
- OER:
