Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness 301 (POLI 367) Terrorism
Section 902
T/TH 4-5:15, Harris 2138
Bill Newmann
Fall 2023
Office Hours: 318 Founder’s Hall (827 W. Franklin St): Tuesday and Thursday 2:00-3:30, by appointment, and we can set up zoom appointments if that’s preferable.
E-mail: wnewmann@vcu.edu; Phone: Political Science Office: 828-2076
Newmann's home page: with links to other Newmann syllabi and other fun stuff.
POLI 367/HSEP 301.
Terrorism. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3
credits. A survey of the modern problem of terrorism with an emphasis on the
political nature of terrorist acts. Examines the history of terrorism,
domestically within the U.S. and internationally, the role of religion, the
structures and operations of terrorist organizations, as well as
counterterrorism policies and policy-making.
Structure of the Class
This course will be taught in class, the old-fashioned pre-pandemic way. In addition, all lectures will be recorded and placed in the Media Gallery of the Canvas site. They will also be linked to the syllabus online. The recorded lectures will be available within 24 hours of the class. I do this because even though we’re trying to get back to normal, not everything is back to normal. The health situation is not entirely back to normal; for that reason, I will be providing the recordings for people who are unconfutable in a small classroom.
The quiz and both exams will be in the classroom during the scheduled class period (unless other arrangements are necessary due to SAEO provisions). Please talk to me if this presents health complications for you.
Introduction
We will start from the basics. What is terrorism? How long has it been with us? Why do people become terrorists? The answers may be a bit surprising. Watching the American media deal with the attacks of 2001 has only clouded the issue. Too many people have decided that they are experts in international relations and terrorism because they saw the Trade Centers fall. Terrorism has a long history going back at least to Jewish resistance against Roman occupation of the Middle East. Terrorism is not new. The broadest definition is still the most accurate: the use of dramatic acts of violence against non-combatants to further a political cause. The violence may be aimed at an enemy’s military forces while they are not engaged in active operations, government facilities, or as in September 11, symbols of the targeted audience’s power. The direct targeting of non-combatants/average citizens is a purposeful strategy. The goal is to cause pain and fear in a nation’s public in hope that the public will urge a government to change its policies. The dynamic is simple – inflict pain and wait for the enemy to turn and run, twist an arm until someone cries "Uncle."
Once we have tried to define terrorism, we will examine its long history. Then we will look at a number of key issues: State-sponsored terrorism and non-state actors; Al-Qaeda’s strategy, organization, and recruitment policies; the reasons why some political movements choose violent strategies; the reasons why some individuals choose to join violent political movements; cyberterrorism; the nightmare scenarios of weapons of mass destruction attacks; domestic terrorism in the US; counterterrorism organization of the US and other nations; counterterrorism policies of the US and other nations
Also, you will write an executive summary based on research you will do on a terrorist organization. You will then make a Power Point presentation on the findings of that research. Details are below.
Learning Outcomes
1. Students will achieve comprehension of the range of terrorist threats and the use of terrorist strategy
2. Students will be able to differentiate between and evaluate the modern waves of terrorism and how terrorist strategies have evolved
3. Students will be able to differentiate between and evaluate the theoretical models that explain why organizations chose terrorist strategy and why individuals might join terrorist organizations.
4. Students will be able to analyze and evaluate the range of modern domestic terrorist threats in the US
5. Students will be able to differentiate between and evaluate the range of counterterrorism strategies
6. Students will demonstrate the ability to research and write a paper for homeland security/political science
7. Students will practice writing an executive summary
8. Students will practice briefing/presentation techniques
Texts
You need to read them; you don't need to buy them. All the books are available online through the VCU Library (see the links below). The are also available at the VCU Bookstore and BookHolders. If anyone has problems getting access to the texts, for any reason, let me know as soon as possible so you don't get too far behind in the reading.
·
Bruce Hoffman. Inside Terrorism (New York; Columbia University Press, Third
Edition, 2017) (On reserve at Cabell Library: HV6431
.H626 2017) http://proxy.library.vcu.edu/login?url=https://columbia.degruyter.com/view/title/541544?tab_body=toc
· Daniel Byman. Al Qaeda, The Islamic State, and the Global Jihadist Movement (Oxford University Press, 2015) (On reserve at Cabell Library: HV6433.M628 B96 2015) https://proxy.library.vcu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=1005220
· Kathleen Belew. Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2019) (On reserve at Cabell Library: HS2325.B45 2018) https://proxy.library.vcu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=1723834
· Audrey Kurth Cronin. How Terrorism Ends: Understanding the Decline and Demise of Terrorist Campaigns (Princeton University Press, 2011) (On reserve at Cabell Library: HV6431 .C766 2009)
A guideline for the readings: I've tried to pick reading that are fair minded and balanced. There are too many books and articles out there that border on hysteria on all these issues and too many people who suddenly became terrorism experts on the afternoon of September 11. I’ve picked books written by people who have been studying terrorism long before September 11. That doesn't mean that these books don't have a point of view. They do, but it is a point of view based on knowledge and years of study and a point of view that is reasoned and analytical. You do not have to agree with the authors. I may or may not agree with them. The point is that you need to read critically. Don't believe everything you read. Use your own logic and knowledge and insight to decide what you think about the issues. Feel free to questions or disagree with the ideas here and bring those questions and disagreements to class, so we can talk about them. That will make the class more valuable for everyone.
Grading System: Grades will be determined through the following:
|
August 31 |
5% of the grade |
|
|
Exam 1 |
October 5: |
30% of the grade |
|
Required Rough Draft and Final Draft |
Rough: October 24: Hard copy in class or
email copy before class starts Final: November 16 |
30% of the grade |
|
December 7 |
10% of the grade |
|
|
Exam 2 |
Tuesday
December 12: 4:00-6:40 |
25 % of the grade |
How do you calculate your grade? Use the percentages from the above table. So, if you received the following grades, you would calculate your grades in the following manner:
I give you this very detailed formula for a number of reasons. You should never be unaware of what your class average is. You can calculate it at any point in the semester. If your grade is not what you'd like it to be, you should know, and you should come see me about it. Do not come to me after Exam 2 and say that you're having trouble in the class. It's too late at that point. But any time in the semester that you feel you are having trouble, or not doing as well as you feel you should, come talk to me. During my office hours and by appointment I am happy to talk to you about the class
Grading scale: I use a typical scale: A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 55-69. Borderline grades are considered in the following manner.
· If your grade is 69.5, 79.5, or 89.5 or higher, then you may be a candidate for a round up to the higher grade (Notice those numbers in the sentence; do not ask for a higher grade if your average is a 68 or 78 or 88 or lower; those are not borderline averages).
· You may become a candidate if your grades are borderline and if your grades have been going up during the semester.
· That means that if you are borderline, but your last exam is lower than the previous exams (you are between a B and C, but your third exam is a C for example), you will probably get the lower grade.
· If you are borderline, and your last exam is higher than the previous exams (you are between a B and C, but your third exam is a B), you may get the higher grade.
· Another factor I consider is the typical grade you receive. Let’s say we have four grades for the class and three are grades of B and one is a C (bad day) and your average is a 79.6, you are a candidate for receiving a B. If you have four grades and three are grades of C and one is a grade of B, you are probably not a candidate for the higher grade
· There is no extra credit for this class. Please do not ask.
And speaking of grades: The
withdrawal date this semester is October 27
Map Quiz August 31: Click here for the instructions.
EXAMS:
Right now, I’m unsure about the format of the exam. I’m having some health issues which may make grading especially difficult this semester. As soon as I know what format I’ll use, I’ll let you know. You’ll have plenty of lead time to prepare for the style of the exam. It will be either short answer and essay, or all short answers, with a small possibility of multiple-choice questions in the mix.
Research Paper and Class
Presentations
Follow the link for detailed instructions. Read these instructions now. Read them later. Read them again and again.
· Here’s the short version (Long version is in the paper instructions). The class will be divided up into groups of five or six people. Each group will be researching one terrorist organization. There are eight terrorist organizations we will study this semester; they are listed in the paper instructions. Though you’ll be divided into these groups, your research papers are your own. They are not group research papers. Once groups have been assigned, each member of the group will be studying a different issue area for the terrorist organization and writing their paper about that issue area only. The issue areas are explained in the paper instructions. In short, five separate research papers about one terrorist organization. Taken together, the papers are a comprehensive look at the terrorist organization. Each person will create a PPT presentation with audio based on their paper; how this works is explained in the link below on the presentation. When the PPTs are watched and listened to by students in the class, they become a group presentation. That’s the only group project aspect of this. If this is unclear, I’ll be explaining it in class and the paper instructions provide all the detail.
· Important: We need to assign groups and issue areas quickly, by the second week of class. Read the paper instructions as soon as you can. Look at the terrorist group list and the issue area list -- only issue areas 1-5 -- unless I make a change. When we take the map quiz (the second week of class), you’ll make your choice of group. On the back of the quiz will be a list of the terrorist groups we’re studying. Give me your first, second, and third choice (by writing 1, 2, and 3 down in the space next to the name of the group). I’ll put together the groups based on that (hopefully giving everyone their first or second choice. After that’s done, you’ll met at the end of a class session and work on what issue area each one of you will focus on.
· Required Rough Draft: Due: October 24 (it will be returned to you with comments within two weeks, so you can work on the final draft)
· Final Draft Due: November 16
·
Both
rough and final drafts are due in hard copy at the time of the start of class
on the due date. After the start of class, the paper will be late. If you
have medical and personal issues that might merit an extension, talk to me.
· PPT slides (maximum of five for each person) are required as part of the presentation; due on the day indicated above and in the course schedule. See the presentation instructions for more details on this and a sample presentation.
· Group Assignments (will be linked here once they are made)
Use VCU Libraries to find and access library resources, spaces, technology and services that support and enhance all learning opportunities at the university. (https://www.library.vcu.edu/)
SCHEDULE (The dates reflect what readings you should have finished by
the start of class that week, except for the first-class session.)
Week 1: August 21-25 Introduction: Terrorism Basics: Definitions and History
Hoffman, Chapter 1
Lecture
1 August 22 Introduction
Lecture
2 August 24 Defining Terrorism 1
Week 2: August 28—September 1: First through Third Waves of Modern Terrorism
Hoffman, Chapters 2, 3, 6, and 4 (pp. 83-107)
Lecture 3A August 29 Defining Terrorism 2
Lecture
3B August 29 Defining Terrorism 2 (This is the lecture from last year’s class
on the same subject. The sections that did not get recorded for this class are
here. Start at minute 27 and finish at minute 50.)
Lecture
4 August 31 History of Terrorism 1
Week 3: September 4-8: The Fourth and Fifth Waves of Modern Terrorism
Hoffman, Chapters 4 (pp. 107-138) and 7
Lecture
5 September 5 History of Terrorism 2
Lecture
6 September 7 History of Terrorism 3
Week 4:
September 11-15: Al-Qaeda, its Network, and the Rise
of ISIS
Byman, Introduction, Chapters 1-4
Lecture
7 September 12 History 4; Al-Qaeda 1
Lecture
8 September 14 Al-Qaeda 2
Week 5: September 18-22: Why Organizations Choose Terrorism
Byman, Chapters 5-8
Lecture
9 September 19 Al-Qaeda
3
Lecture
10 September 21 Who and Why 1
Week 6: September 25-29: Why Individuals Join Terrorist Organizations
Hoffman, Chapters 8, 9, and 10.
Lecture
11 September 26 Who and Why 2
Lecture
12 September 28 Who and Why 3
Week 7: October 2-6 Suicide Terrorism, Weapons of Mass
Destruction, Cyberterrorism
Exam 1: October 5:
Hoffman, Chapter 5 (for second exam)
Suicide
Attacks PPT (all PPT here are
for the second exam)
Lecture
13 October 3 Suicide Attacks and WMD
Week 8: October 9-13 Domestic Terrorism in the US I
Belew, Note to Readers, Introduction, Chapters 1-4
Lecture
15 October 12 WMD 3 and Israel-Hamas Crisis
Week
9: October 16-20 Domestic Terrorism in the US II
Belew, Chapters 5, 6, and 7
Lecture
16 October 17 Cyberterrorism
Lecture
17 October 19 Terrorism in the US 1
Week 10:
October 22-27 The
Elements of Counterterrorism I
Rough Draft Due: October 24: Hard copy due at the beginning of class or
emailed copy by the time class starts
Belew, Chapters 8-9 and Epilogue
Lecture
18 October 24 Terrorism in the US 2
Lecture
19 October 26 Terrorism in the US 3
Withdrawal Date: October 27
Week
11: October 30-November 3 Elements of Counterterrorism II
Cronin, Introduction and Chapters 1 and 2
Counterterrorism
Policies: Introduction
Counterterrorism
Policies: Use of Force
Counterterrorism
Policies: Organization
Lecture
20 October 31 Counterterrorism Intro and Use of Force
Lecture
21 November 2 Counterterrorism Organization
Week
12: November 6-10 The Elements of Counterterrorism III
No class November 7: VOTE! Because the people who believe that the
earth is flat will be voting and you don’t want them deciding the future of the
US. Vote because you wouldn’t want your
parents picking out your clothes or you ordering your dinner. Why let them
decide the future of the nation?
Cronin, Chapters 3, 4, and 5
Lecture
22 November 9 Counterterrorism Organization continued
Week
13: November 13-17 The Elements of
Counterterrorism IV
No readings
Final Paper Due: November 16
Counterterrorism
Policies: Intelligence
Counterterrorism
Policy: The War of Ideas
Lecture
23 November 14 Counterterrorism Intelligence
Lecture
24 November 16 War of Ideas
Fall Break: November 20-24
Week
14: November 27—December 1
Cronin, Chapter 6 and 7
Counterterrorism
Policies: Law Enforcement
Lecture
25 November 28 War of Ideas
Lecture
26 November 30 Law Enforcement 1
Week 15: December 4-8
Presentations Due: December 7
Cronin, Conclusion
Counterterrorism
Policies: Operations
Counterterrorism
Policies: Negotiations
Lecture
27 November 5 Law Enforcement 2
Lecture
28 November 7 Law Enforcement 3 and Operations
Lecture
29 November 7 Negotiations
Presentations
Abu Sayyaf Group
Boko Haram
ETA
Hezbollah
Origins (No Presentation)
Oath Keepers
Red Brigades
Support
Slides (When you click on the speaker icon here, you’ll get a new window
that plays the audio. So, you’ll need to have both the slide window open and
the audio window on your screen to see the slides and listen to the audio at
the same time. You’ll need to advance
the slide and open a new audio window for each slide.)
Shining Path
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan
Origins
Slides (Don't Click on the Speaker Icon Here; Listen to the Additional
Audio File)
Weather Underground
Support (Coming Soon)
Strategy
Slides (Don't Click on the Speaker Icon Here; Listen to the Additional
Audio File)
Counterterrorism (No Presentation)
Exam 2: Tuesday December 12: 4:00-6:50 in the regular classroom.
Other Important Stuff
Political
Science Advising
If you are
a Political Science major we highly recommend that you
meet with your friendly and helpful POLI advisors, Nathan Bickett
and Jen Clayton, at least once a semester to make sure you are on track - doing
what you need to do and not doing what you don’t need to do - and to discuss
your academic and professional goals. Current minors and those considering a
POLI major or minor are also encouraged to visit.
You
may make an appointment through the Navigator app or through a link on your VCU
Portal (remote advising webpage). You may also reach us at poliadvisor@vcu.edu
Political Science Librarian
Nia Rodgers is the librarian for Political Science. She can
help you find peer-reviewed materials to use in your research. She can be
reached at: slrodgers@vcu.edu or you can make an appointment at: https://vcu.libcal.com/appointment/8778
Where can you find
information on international affairs?
This is the questions students always ask me: “Where do I
find good information on international affairs. I’m looking for something
unbiased and something that doesn’t always look at the world through American
eyes (as in how do these developments affect the US).”
Here’s the short answer: For day by day coverage of events in
the world:
On a weekly basis:
The Economist: www.economist.com. This is a Britain-based weekly which covers
world politics and world business. There
really is nothing else like it in the comprehensive nature of its
coverage. You can also buy it on the
newsstand, but the web is free. It
covers world politics very well.
Long Term Views of Crisis and Conflict:
International Crisis Group: www.crisisweb.org. This is the International Crisis Group, a
non-profit organization that studies, analyzes, and makes recommendations about
how to resolve various crises in the world.
There is nothing better for the in-depth examination of current world
events and the dilemmas of problem solving and peace making. It has reports (30-50 pages), briefings
(10-30), and a weekly briefing (Crisis Watch), which you can get on the web
site or sign up for e-mail delivery.
Students should visit http://go.vcu.edu/syllabus and review all syllabus statement information. The full university syllabus statement includes information on safety, registration, the VCU Honor Code, student conduct, withdrawal and more.