POL2330: Terrorism: an Introduction

Abstract

Course Description and Objectives: The course introduces students to the study of modern terrorism. It explores terrorism’s definitions, history and typology with a particular focus on the internationalization of terrorism in the last couple of decades. The course further aims to understand terrorists’ goals, tactics, sources of financing, and recruitment. The second half of the course focuses on counter-terrorism, including evaluation of terrorism’s success and the prospects of effectively combating it in the future. The objectives of course include: 1) exposing students to the complexities of modern terrorism; 2) refining students’ oral and written skills through a series of group-based terrorism case studies; 3) challenging students to think critically about solutions and approaches to terrorism.