TERRORISM UNDERSTANDING
SYLLABUS
Section Instructor: Dr. Tom O'Connor or assigned instructor
This is a "master" syllabus and may not be your actual syllabus
Assigned instructors may or may not use this material

COURSE DESIGNATION: CRJ 3400 Terrorism: Understanding the Threat (3 semester hours)

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND PREREQUISITES: This course is the prerequisite for all other studies and upper level courses in the program. Major topics include an overview of terrorism as a political weapon, defining terrorism, examining the causes of terrorism, precepts of domestic and international terrorism, and the religious foundations of terrorism. (Prerequisite of CRJ 1010) Note: these prerequisites are rarely enforced.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To acquire an understanding of historical perspectives on terrorism, basic definitions of cogent terms and concepts, and the symbolism of terrorism
2. To describe the ideological continuum of terrorism and the matrix of political violence, including methods of detecting and monitoring state terrorism and state-sponsored terrorism
3. To analyze in detail the causes of terrorism, the motivations of terrorists, and known international terrorist networks 
4. To differentiate between dissidents and terrorists as well as types of terrorism, such as religious and criminal terrorism
5. To list terrorist tactics and targets along with methods of appropriate prevention, detection, and response, applying such knowledge to the local environment
6. To compare and contrast the public's right-to-know with the safeguarding of operational procedures and practices
7. To appreciate the need for further understanding of terrorist events 

GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS:

In addition to the above objectives, the more general goals of this course are to provide the student with the following tools to help develop his or her potential:
1. Development of the student's analytical thinking capabilities through comparison and contrast in the application of theories and concepts to social problems
2. Enhancement of the student's literacy skills through assigned readings, discussions, examinations, and other requirements
3. Utilization of the historical perspective which helps with student understanding of evolutionary developments over time
4. Understanding of the scientific method through research requirements and in-depth case studies
5. Improvement in social interaction skills and understanding human behavior through consideration of the impact legal and social systems have on individuals
6. Increased student awareness of cultural and multi-cultural issues through study of how social problems and social movements are related to, and affect, minority groups
7. Preparation for more advanced study in criminal justice/homeland security

CONTENT OUTLINE:

Week 1: Martin chapters 1-3, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
1. Definitions of Terrorism
1a. Theories of Terrorism

Week 2: Martin chapter 4, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
2. Terrorism Threat Analysis
2a. Terrorist Network Detection
2b. Terrorism as Asymmetric Warfare (from Intl. Terrorism course)

Week 3: Martin chapter 5, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
3. Nationalist Terrorism
3a. Female Terrorism
3b. European Trouble Spots
3c. Asian Trouble Spots
3d. African Trouble Spots
3e. Latin American Trouble Spots

Week 4: Martin chapters 6-7, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
4. Religious Terrorism
4a. Islamic Extremism and Global Jihad
4b. Middle Eastern Trouble Spots
Supplemental Lectures: Enemies of the State; World Conflicts

Week 5: Martin chapter 8, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
5. Suicidal Terrorism
5a. Lone Wolf Terrorism

Week 6: Martin chapters 9-10, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
6. Conspiracy Theories and Exotic Extremism
6a. Cyberterrorism
6b. Superterrorism (inc. table: WMD effects)

Week 7: Martin chapters 11-12, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
7.  Terrorism and the Media
7a. Domestic Terrorism (from Domestic Terrorism course)
7b. Ecoterrorism (from Domestic Terrorism course)

Week 8: Martin chapters 13-14, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
8. Soft Approaches to Counterterrorism
8a. Hard Approaches to Counterterrorism
8b. Insurgency and Counterinsurgency

REQUIRED LEARNING RESOURCES:

Main Textbook/Required Textbook: Martin, G. (2009). Understanding terrorism, 3e. Los Angeles: Sage. ISBN: 978-1-4129-7059-4 (pbk.) which contains the following chapters which should be read in order:
1. Terrorism: First Impressions
2. The Nature of the Beast: Defining Terrorism
3. Beginnings: The Causes of Terrorism
4. Terror from Above: State Terrorism
5. Terror from Below: Dissident Terrorism
6. Violence in the Name of Faith: Religious Terrorism
7. Violent Ideologies: Terrorism from the Left and Right
8. Terrorist Spillovers: International Terrorism
9. Emerging Terrorist Environments: Gender-Selective Political Violence
10. Tools of the Trade: Tactics and Targets of Terrorists
11. The Information Battleground: The War for the Information High Ground
12. The American Case: Terrorism in the United States
13. Responding to Terror: The Options
14. What Next: The Future of Terrorism

Supplemental Reference: American Psychological Association. (1994). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5e. Washington DC: APA. Note: students do not have to buy this book, but should have access to it or something similar in order to utilize the correct style or format with writing assignments.

Additional Learning Resources (Internet Links in lectures and these general resources)
 Amy Zalman's About.com: Terrorism Issues
 Anser Institute's Journal of Homeland Security
 Atlantic Monthly Articles on War on Terrorism
 Causes-of-terrorism.net
 C4I.org-Computer Security and Intelligence
 Center for Combating Terrorism at West Point
 Center for Defense Information
 Center for Democracy and Technology
 Center for Strategic and International Studies
 Center for Study of Terrorism and Political Violence
 CIA World Factbook
 Congressional Research Service Reports on Terrorism
 Council of Foregn Relations Homepage
 Counter Terrorist Financing Network
 ERRI Counter-Terrorism Archive
 FindLaw Criminal and Civil Terror Cases
 GlobalSecurity.org
 Harvard University's Undermining Terrorism Site
 Ideologies of War, Genocide, and Terror
 Index of Arm the Spirit Listserv on Guerrilla Groups
 Liberation Movements, Cartels, and Para-states
 Naval Postgraduate School Center on Terrorism Site
 NIJ International Center
 Project on Defense Alternatives
 Quick Course on the Basics of Terrorism
 RAND Corp. Resources on Terrorism
 Ridgeway Center for International Security
 Social Science Research Council After 9/11 Archive
 Terrorism Files-dot-org
 Terrorism Knowledge Base (START Database)
 Terrorism Related Criminal Justice Links
 Terrorism Research Center
 Terrorists, Freedom Fighters, and Separatists
 The Institute (International) of CounterTerrorism
 The National Security Archive
 The National Security Institute's Terrorism Page
 The Virtual World of Intelligence
 Time Magazine Newsfiles on Terrorism
 U.S. Air War College Terrorism Page
 U.S. Defense Dept. Counterterrorism Site
 USODCCP Classification of Counter-Terrorism Measures
 U.S. State Dept. Counterterrorism Site
 Washington Post Full Coverage on National Security
 Wikipedia Entry on Terrorism
 Yahoo Full Coverage on Terrorism

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Students are expected to read and follow the schedule in the course syllabus, to read assigned readings, to read assigned Lecture Notes, and to seek and read additional suggested resources as provided by the textbook and Instructor.  In addition, students are expected to be alert and attentive with note taking in class and have a demonstrated desire to participate in any discussion.  Exams are to be completed within the deadlines given by the Instructor, and any special instructions for the paper assignment are to be followed precisely. The Instructor will announce all deadlines and instructions as well as provide reminders about the pace or flow of the course.

BASIS AND METHODS FOR GRADING: (May vary by instructor):

25% Midterm Examination (objective test with essay questions that may count toward writing)
35% Final Examination (objective test with essay questions that may count toward writing)
25% Writing assignments (single or multiple assignments, the equivalent of 8 pages)
15% Participation and Discussion (attendance, logins, discussion contributions)

The grade scale used in this course is normally a 7-point scale, as follows, although instructors are free to make adjustments or modifications as circumstances permit. At times when circumstances permit, the scale may be dropped to a 10-point scale, or slightly more.

A = 93-100
B = 86-92
C = 78-85
D = 70-77
F = 69/below

ATTENDANCE POLICY: An attendance roster is kept (and login records, if this is a web-based course), and students are expected to attend all sessions on time and as scheduled. If a session and/or assignment deadline is to be missed for circumstances beyond the student's control, prior permission of the instructor must be obtained, and arrangements made for submission of the work. Regular late submission of work as well as tardiness and absenteeism will result in reduction of the final grade by at least one letter, depending upon severity. An "Incomplete" can only be given if the student has normally completed at least half the coursework, has a reasonable justification, and makes arrangements with the instructor.

DISABILITY POLICY: Any student who has a disability that may affect his/her academic performance is encouraged to make an appointment with me to discuss this matter, or you may contact Disability Services; telephone 221-6230; voice 221-6278; voice tty.

POLICY ON MINORS: Minors (any non-student under the age of 18) accompanying staff, faculty, students, or visitors on campus are not permitted in the classroom.

ACADEMIC AND CLASSROOM MISCONDUCT: Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times. Academic and classroom misconduct will not be tolerated. Students must read the "Code of Student Conduct" in the new Student Handbook for an understanding of what will be expected of them within the academic setting. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated, and any student found cheating or plagiarizing will receive an "F" for the work in question, and possibly an "F" for the course, and may be recommended for suspension from the University.  Cheating is defined as not working on exams or assignments alone, and plagiarism is defined as taking the work of someone else's as one's own.  APSU uses software that will identify plagiarism.

The above schedule and procedures are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

Last updated: May 16, 2013
Not an official webpage of APSU, copyright restrictions apply, see Megalinks in Criminal Justice
O'Connor, T.  (2013). "Syllabus for Understanding Terrorism" MegaLinks in Criminal Justice. Retrieved from http://www.drtomoconnor.com/3400/default.htm.