Syllabus for Domestic Terrorism

DOMESTIC TERRORISM
CRJ 3410 SYLLABUS
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

Class meets: as scheduled Office hours: as scheduled APSU Center @ Ft. Campbell Telephone: (931) 221-1477 Fax: (931) 221-1493 Email: oconnort@apsu.edu Web: www.drtomoconnor.com
Textbooks: one of the following (check what bookstore is selling): Borgeson, Kevin & Valeri, Robin (2008). Terrorism in America: Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett. ISBN: 0763755249 or McCann, J. (2006). Terrorism on American Soil. NY: Sentient Publications. ISBN: 1591810490 or Ronczkowski, M. (2011). Terrorism and Organized Hate Crime, 3e. Boca Raton: CRC Press. ISBN: 1439867593.

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND PREREQUISITES: This course involves a study of the foundations of domestic terrorism with an examination of its history and case studies. Topics include current and active domestic groups; their organizational structure, philosophies and networks. The discussion will examine the interrelationships and interactions of presently known groups. (no prerequisites)

1. To acquire an understanding of domestic terrorism and its changing character
2. To understand how domestic terrorism is defined both legally and socially
3. To examine the historical evolution of domestic terrorist philosophies
4. To analyze both early and contemporary domestic terrorist group organizations
5. To articulate informed opinion about extremist, hate, and militia movements
6. To identify and investigate single- or special-interest terrorist networks
7. To appreciate the challenges of domestic terrorism intelligence gathering

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 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

Week 1: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
1. An Overview of Domestic Terrorism
1a. Theories of Terrorism (from Terror Understanding course)

Week 7: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
7. Cyber-Domestic Terrorism (from Terror Understanding course)
7a. Weapons of Mass Destruction (from Terror Understanding course)

Main Textbook/Required Textbook: Borgeson, Kevin & Valeri, Robin (2008). Terrorism in America: Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett. ISBN: 0763755249 or McCann, J. (2006). Terrorism on American Soil. NY: Sentient Publications. ISBN: 1591810490 or Ronczkowski, M. (2011). Terrorism and Organized Hate Crime, 3e. Boca Raton: CRC Press. ISBN: 1439867593.

The textbook (Borgeson & Valeri -Terrorism in America) contains the following chapters, and one of them is a FREE lecture note by O'Connor and the others have many of their ideas incorporated in his other lecture notes:
1. Domestic Terrorism: Past and Present Typologies
2. The Criminology of Terrorism: Theories and Models - (Note: this is the same as Lecture 1a)
3. The Christian Identity Movement
4. The Enemy of My Enemy: Anti-Jewish Sentiment
5. Counterterrorism: Pre- and Post-9/11
6. Fear of Terrorism/Antiterrorism Policies
7. Conclusions

The textbook (McCann -Terrorism on American Soil) contains the following chapters, and is available FREE if you search for it in Google Books:
1. The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln (wikipedia)
2. The Haymarket Bombing (wikipedia)
3. The Assassination of William McKinley (wikipedia)
4. The Los Angeles Times Bombing of 1910 (wikipedia)
5. Eric Muenter: The Man Who Shot J.P. Morgan (wikipedia, Harvard Crimson)
6. The San Francisco Preparedness Day Bombing (wikipedia)
7. The Anarchist Bombings of 1919 (wikipedia)
8. The Wall Street Bombing of 1920 (wikipedia)
9. Joe Zangara: The Assassin of Mayor Cermak (wikipedia)
10. The Nazi Sabotage Plot of 1942 (Operation Pastorius)
11. The Assassination Attempt on Harry Truman (wikipedia)
12. The 1954 Attack on the House of Representatives (wikipedia)
13. The 1961 Airline Hijackings (list of skyjackings)
14. The 1963 Birmingham Church Bombing (wikipedia)
15. The Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy (wikipedia)
16. The Weather Underground Bombing Attacks (wikipedia)
17. The Hijacking of TWA Flight 355 (wikipedia)
18. Chilean Diplomats Killed in Washington DC (Orlando Letelier)
19. The Plot to Kidnap the Governor of Minnesota (five Iranians are jailed)
20. The US Capitol Bombing of 1983 (wikipedia)
21. The 1984 Rajneeshee Bioterror Attack (wikipedia)
22. Japanese Red Army member Yu Kikumura (wikipedia)
23. The Assassination of Rabbi Meir Kahane (wikipedia)
24. 1993 Shootings at CIA Headquarters by Aimel Kasi (wikipedia)
25. The 1993 World Trade Center Bombing (wikipedia)
26. The 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing (wikipedia)
27. The Unabomber Crime Spree of 1978-1995 (Ted Kaczynski)
28. The Eric Rudolph Crime Spree of 1996-2003 (Eric Rudolph)
29. Joseph Stack: America's First Suicide Bomber (2010 Austin, TX)
30. Shootings at the Empire State Building (wikipedia)
31. Ecoterrorism at the Vail Ski Resort (Green Scare of 1998-2002)
32. The Foiled Millennium (1999/2000) Bomb Plots (at LAX mostly)
33. The al-Qaeda Attacks of 9/11 (wikipedia)
34. The 2001 Anthrax Attacks (wikipedia)

The textbook (Ronczowski -Terrorism & Organized Hate Crime) contains the following chapters:
NOTE: the first, second, and even third edition, either one being practically as good as the next, are available FREE, in Google Books, but you have to search for it (I cannot provide a direct link).
1. The Need for Intelligence-driven Policing
2. Understanding and Defining Terrorism
3. Homeland Security and Analysis
4. Behavioral Traits and Suspicious Activity
5. Intelligence Gathering
6. Enhancing Sources in an Investigation
7. Identifying Missing Pieces in an Investigation
8. Intelligence Analysis
9. Learning from Threat Analysis
10. What the Future May Hold
11. Conclusion
Appendix A-J: Lists of terrorist groups, symbols, materials; glossary of terms, references, fusion centers

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.

Students are expected to read and follow the schedule in the course syllabus, to read assigned text chapters, 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.

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.

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: Jan. 02, 2013
Not an official webpage of APSU, copyright restrictions apply, see Megalinks in Criminal Justice
O'Connor, T. (2013). "Syllabus for Domestic Terrorism," MegaLinks in Criminal Justice. Retrieved from http://www.drtomoconnor.com/3410/default.htm.