POLS 386: GLOBAL TERRORISM Fall Hours: T & TR: 11:00 AM-12:15PM

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1 POLS 386: GLOBAL TERRORISM Fall 2016 Instructor: Class: Dr. Serap Gur Hours: T & TR: 11:00 AM-12:15PM Office: 412 Zulauf Hall Classroom: 459 DuSable Hall sgur@niu.edu Office Hours: T & TR 12:30 pm -2:00 pm. And other times by appointment. Course Overview This course offers a theoretical and empirical understanding and explanation of global terrorism and its threat to worldwide security. It focuses on some of the fundamental questions of global terrorism such as: How does a terrorist group emerge, why some terrorist groups became global while others stay local, why do individuals and groups join terrorist groups, why do terrorist groups use different tactics, what is the relationship between culture, religion and terrorism, what is the motivation for states to sponsor and support terrorist groups, why the number of women terrorist are increasing, what should be the global strategies to defeat terrorism, what is the role of USA in counterterrorism. It explores these questions by developing critical thinking and providing some case studies from global terrorist organizations such as al-qaida and ISIS. Particular attention is addressed to the ISIS and their strategies. The course is structured in three main sections. The first part (weeks 1-3) serves as an introduction and examines the definition of terrorism, the history and causes of terrorism and new trends. In the second and main part (weeks 4-9), we explore analytical themes including the terrorist groups formation, tactics, the role of ideology and faith, the difference between domestic and international terrorism, the role of women in terrorist organizations. In the last session (week 10-15) we evaluate different case studies such as different terrorist groups like al- Qaida, ISIS, role of media in terrorism, terrorism in the USA and counterterrorism strategies and the future of global terrorism. Course objectives: At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to; - Evaluate global terrorism and its links to different governments, regions, cultures and religions - Explain the impact of global terrorism and how it affects global change and political thinking - Evaluate the current status of global terrorism by analyzing the regional and global threats - Understand the motivations of states which sponsor or support different terrorist groups - Explain and analyze the key strategies against terrorism - Understand the increased role of women in terrorist organizations - Identify important terrorist groups in the world by understanding their tactics and strategies - Discuss the motivations of individuals and groups who engage in terrorist acts - Understand the current strategies of the United States against terrorism Required Course Materials 1. Gus Martin, Understanding Terrorism: Challenges, Issues and Perspectives, 5th Edition. o Additional materials will be posted on Blackboard by the lecturer. 1

2 o Class lectures are constructed using Power Point. These slide shows will be posted on Blackboard before the class Roles/ Course Requirements 1. IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES: Some classes feature an in-class activity. The main idea is to get students thinking about global terrorism. More details will be provided by the instructor. A. Policy Brief: The primary activity is a policy brief, where students will be introduced to a terrorism issue (general problem, specific tactics or different organizations) that involves different government actions. In assigned groups, students will complete a policy brief worksheet in class. Students all together with their groups need to develop and compare multiple solutions to a problem. B. Current Events Assignment: All students need to select one article from a national paper or a political science journal related to the Global Terrorism. They will prepare a summary and discuss their article in class. The article should be in hand and they need to prepare a summary which includes the student name, title of the article, author of the article, source of the article and a four to eight sentence summary of the article. 2. RESEARCH PAPER AND PRESENTATION: All students will choose a terrorist individual or a group from the provided list and write a research paper about that individual or group summarizing relevant information about them. They will write a 5-8 page paper by discussing the origins, strategies, tactics, sources of the terrorist individual or group and outline a few solutions against to them. All students need to present their research papers in five minutes in class presentation. Further details about the assignments will be discussed. Grading Components: Grading is based on the following course components; Final exam 60 points (%30) Mid-term 40 points (%20) Research paper 30 points (%15) Research paper presentation 20 points (%10) Policy Brief 15 points (%7.5) Current Events Assignment 15 points (%7.5) Participation 20 points (%10) Total points possible 200 points (%100) Grades will be determined based on the following scale: 93%-100% A 73%-77.4% C 90%-92.9% A- 70%-72.9% C- 87.5%-89.9% B+ 67.5%-69.9% D+ 83%-87.4% B 63%-67.4% D 80%-82.9% B- 60%-62.9% D- 77.5%-79.9% C+ Less than 60% F 2

3 Exams: The exams will cover material presented in the lectures, textbooks, visual materials, and any assigned outside readings. Each of the two exams will consist of multiple-choice and true/false questions. If you must miss an exam, please contact me before the date of the exam. The format of the make-up exam (multiple choice, short answer, or essay) is left to the discretion of the instructor. NOTE: If you miss an exam and fail to contact me before the date of the exam, this behavior will result in a ZERO for that exam. Attendance & Class Participation: Attendance is required and active participation in class discussion is expected. Students are expected to come to class prepared, having completed all of the reading and assignments before class. Note: Cell phones must be turned off or silenced during class. Given below is a description of how you can earn points for participation: Outstanding contributor (16-20 points): Contributions in class represent exceptional preparation. Ideas offered are always substantive; provide one or more major insights as well as direction for the class. Arguments, when offered, are well substantiated and persuasively presented. If this person were not a member of the class, the quality of the discussion would be diminished significantly. Good contributor (12-16 points): Contributions in class represent thorough preparation. Ideas offered are usually substantive; provide good insights and sometimes direction for the class. Arguments, when offered, are generally well substantiated and are often persuasively presented. If this person were not a member of the class, the quality of the discussion would be diminished considerably. Adequate contributor (8-12 points): Contributions in class represent satisfactory preparation. Ideas offered are sometimes substantive, provide generally useful insights but seldom offer direction for the class. Arguments, when offered, are fairly well substantiated and are sometimes persuasive. If this person were not a member of the class, the quality of the discussion would be diminished somewhat. Unsatisfactory contributor (8 and below points): Contributions in class represent inadequate preparation. Ideas offered are seldom substantive; provide few, if any, insights and never a constructive direction for the class. Integrative arguments and effective comments are never presented. Class contributions are, at best, "cherry picking" efforts making isolated, obvious or confusing points. If this person were not a member of the class, valuable airtime would be saved. Non-participant (0 points): This person has said little or nothing in this class to date. Hence, there is no basis for evaluation. If this person were not a member of this class the quality of the discussions would be unchanged. Of course you will receive no participation points if you are a non-participant in a class. Academic Honesty: All students are expected to never knowingly violate NIU s policy on academic honesty. Students who engage in academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and dismissal from the university. Because academic dishonesty harms the individual, fellow students, and the integrity of the university, this policy will be strictly enforced. Please refer to the university webpage: if you need any help. All written work submitted in this course should meet professional standards and conform to the specific instructions for the assignment. Work that does not meet professional standards will be returned to the student without evaluation for correction. Penalties for late work will apply. If a student needs additional assistance with writing, please consult the NIU Writing Center for individual assistance at All written assignments unless otherwise noted by the instructor should be turned in through SAFE ASSIGNMENT on Blackboard BEFORE class. 3

4 Students with Disabilities: Students with documented disabilities should contact the University s Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR). If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please make arrangements to meet with me within the first week of the term. The Office of Student Disability Services is located in Health Services Building, Fourth Floor; and can be reached at (V) or drc@niu.edu. Information about the University s Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR) is available at: Note: The following is a tentative outline of the course. Exact dates and topics are subject to change depending on the needs and progress of the class. Students are responsible for keeping abreast of any changes made in this class. TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE PART 1: TERRORISM: A CONCEPTUAL REVIEW Week 1: Introduction to Global Terrorism Tuesday (August 23): Course Overview and Introduction (No Readings) Thursday (August 25): Martin, Chapter 1 Week 2: Defining Terrorism, Extremism and Global Terrorism Tuesday (August 30): Martin, Chapter 2 Thursday (September 1): Martin, Chapter 2(Continued) Week 3: History and Causes of Terrorism Tuesday (September 6): Martin, Chapter 3 Thursday (September 8): Martin, Chapter 3 (Continued) PART 2: THE TERRORISTS Week 4: Terrorism by the State and Terrorism by Dissidents Tuesday (September 13): Martin, Chapter 4 Thursday (September 15): Martin, Chapter 5 (Policy Brief 2) Week 5: Violence in the Name of the Faith: Religious Terrorism Tuesday (September 20): Martin, Chapter 6 Thursday (September 22): Martin, Chapter 6 (Continued) Week 6: The role of Ideology: Terrorism from the Left and Right Tuesday (September 27): Martin, Chapter 7 Thursday (September 29): Martin, Chapter 7(Continued) 4

5 Current Events Assignment Week 7: International Terrorism Tuesday (October 4): Martin, Chapter 8 Thursday (October 6): Martin, Chapter 8(Continued) Submit Research Paper Topics Week 8: Emerging Terrorist Environments Gender-Selective and Criminal Dissident Tuesday (October 11): Martin, Chapter 9 Thursday (October 13): Midterm Week 9: Methods, Mechanisms and Tactics: Strategies and Targets of Terrorism Tuesday (October 18): Martin, Chapter 10 Thursday (October 20): Martin, Chapter 10 (Continued) (Policy Brief 3) PART 3: THE TERRORIST TRADE Week 10: Propaganda and the Role of the Media Tuesday (October 25): Martin, Chapter 11 Thursday (October 27): Martin, Chapter 11 (Continued) Week 11: Terrorism in the United States Tuesday (November 1): Martin, Chapter 12 Thursday (November 3): Martin, Chapter 12 (Continued) Week 12: Counterterrorism: The Options Tuesday (November 8): Martin, Chapter 13 Thursday (November 10): Student Presentations Week 13: A New Era: Homeland Security Tuesday (November 15): Martin, Chapter 14 Thursday (November 17): Student Presentations 5

6 Week 14: Terrorist Organizations: Al-Qaeda and ISIS Tuesday (November 22): Tucker, Colin The Islamic State Origins, Goals, and Future Implications. The Eurasia Center. Esfandiari, Haleh et al., Barbarians: ISIS s Mortal Threat to Women. Middle East Program, Wilson Center. Thursday (November 24): No Class (Thanksgiving Break) Week 15: What Next? The Future of Terrorism and Extremism Tuesday (November 29): Martin, Chapter 15 Thursday (December 1): Student Presentations (Note: Research papers are due today!!) 6