POS 240 - Understanding Terrorism

1. Define terrorism.
2. Classify types of terrorism.
3. Identify some typical responses to terrorism.

1. Define terrorism, including its origins, evolution, types, and causes.
2. Classify types of terrorism.
3. Analyze the evolution of terrorist tactics and strategies.
4. Analyze the cultural and geographical relationships to terrorism.
5. Discuss possible responses to terrorism, including their relationships to civil liberties.
6. Discuss the future of terrorism, including its impact on international relations and domestic security planning.
7. Review definitive works on terrorism relating to historical events in the United States.

1. Terrorism Definitions and Perspectives
   1. Introduction to terrorism
   2. Definition(s)
   3. Origins-its roots
   4. Evolution-political and cultural manifestations
   5. Types
   6. Causes
2. Classifications of Terrorism
   1. State terrorism
   2. Dissident terrorism
   3. Ethnonational/separatist terrorism
   4. Class struggle: the terrorist left
   5. Race and order: the terrorist right
   6. For faith and profit: religious and criminal terrorism
   7. Insurgency and terrorist tactics
3. Cultural and Geographic Issues
   1. Terrorism and the Muslim world
   2. Terrorism in Europe
   3. Terrorism in the developing world
   4. Terrorism and the United States
4. Responses by Governments to Terrorism
   1. Options available for responses
   2. Counter-terrorism in a democratic society
   3. United Nations and global response to terrorism
   4. U.S. foreign policy, the War on Terror, and national security strategy
   5. U.S. security policies and civil liberties
5. Future Impact on Terrorism
   1. Changes in international relations
   2. Long range plans for preventing terror attacks
   3. Domestic security
   4. Post 9/11 world order
6. Current Government Reports on Terrorism
   1. The foundation of the “new terrorism”
   2. Foresight and hindsight
   3. What to do?  A global strategy
   4. How to do it?  A different way of organizing the government
   5. Who’s job is it?
   6. The 9/11 Commission Report or other current documents