JCU Logo

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 334"
COURSE NAME: "Terrorism and Counterterrorism"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Gabriele Simoncini
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 4:30-5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: PL 209 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will provide the student with an understanding and basic foundation to explain and compare the varying definitions of terrorism; distinguish the different types of terrorist motivations including left-wing, right-wing, ethno-nationalist, separatists, and religious; to differentiate terrorism from other forms of violence including political violence, guerilla warfare, insurgency, civil war, unconventional warfare, and crime; understand and describe the historical foundations of terrorism and apply them to modern terrorist events and methods being used to combat them.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course covers the development of terrorism and counterterrorism from the early times to present.  Attention is given to the various articulations of terrorism including political, ethnic, separatist, religious, and state terrorism.  The debate over “new” vs. “old” typologies of terrorism is reviewed. Terrorism is analyzed as a political phenomenon in contrast to different forms of political violence including insurgency, guerrilla warfare, civil war, ethnic cleansing, unconventional warfare, and crime.  The challenges of terrorism to a free society are discussed in relation to globalization realities.  Major political, scholarly, and religious interpretations of terrorism’s different eras and phenomena are considered.  Counterterrorism and its articulations including “War on Terror” are the conclusive subjects of the program.  The class format includes lectures, discussion, teamwork, presentations, and audiovisual materials.  Students will be asked to produce a research project, making extensive personal use of information and communication technology.  Guest speakers and field trips are planned. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will develop the ability to critically analyze the evolution and the diversity of terrorism and counterterrorism.  They will be able to relate theories with political structures, players, and phenomena within the global political and religious context.  Students will develop the ability to conduct basic research, and organize and present their findings with respect to the topics, in a logical and cogent manner.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Terrorism and Counterterrorism.Howard R. D., Hoffman B.London, 2012.978-0-07-352778-9     
The Management of Savagery. Abu Bakr Naji, J. M. Olin Institute for Strategic Studies. Harvard University, 2006.(on-line)     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Terrorism: A Story.Law R.Polity, 2016.0745690904  
Blackstone’s Counter-Terrorism Handbook.Stainforth A.Oxford, 2013.0199658099  
Does Terrorism Work?English R.OUP Oxford, 2016.0199607850  
Terrorism and Counterterrorism.Nacos B. L.Routledge, 2016. 1138190144  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Islamic Terrorism in Europe. Nesser P.Hurst, 2016.1849044058  
Islamic Terrorism in Europe. Nesser P.Hurst, 2016.1849044058  
Counterterrorism in Turkey.Unal M.C.Routledge, 2013. 0415713641  
Armed Struggle: The History of the IRA.English R.Pan, 2012.1447212495  
Red Brigades: The Story of Italian Terrorism.Meade R. C.Palgrave, 2014.1349203068  
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class participation 10%
Midterm examThe midterm and final exam have the same format. The exams consist of two parts of equal value. The first part is an essay, the student will choose from one of three proposed themes, and will write a well-organized essay. The second part of the exam consists of ten terms to be concisely defined.20%
Presentation and other assignments Students are required give a short individual or team presentation on a specific topic of their choice, approved by the instructor and related to the class program. The presentation will be well-organized, concise, and include (when opportune) audiovisual and electronic materials. A draft presentation must be submitted to the instructor before presenting in class. An electronic version of the presentation must be given to the instructor in class, in person, during any of the last four classes. Files send by email are not accepted. The deadline is the last class. No materials will be accepted past the deadline.15%
Final examThe midterm and final exam have the same format. The exams consist of two parts of equal value. The first part is an essay, the student will choose from one of three proposed themes, and will write a well-organized essay. The second part of the exam consists of ten terms to be concisely defined.25%
Final project (with project proposal and portfolio)The final paper (3,000 words) will be on any topic of the student’s choice related to the class program. The topic should be precisely defined and worthy of investigation. An electronic version of the project must be given to the instructor in class, in person, during any of the last four classes. Files sent by email are not accepted. The deadline is the last class. No materials will be accepted past the deadline. To produce the final project, students will receive written instructions in class. During the semester, students will show the instructor their final project work in progress and receive checks. Portfolio: In order to produce their final papers, students will keep a portfolio of research materials during the semester. The portfolio will be shared with, and evaluated by the instructor. The production of the final paper is a work in progress during the semester. The portfolio and the paper project are progressive steps toward completion of the final paper. A portfolio containing samples of reference materials must be attached to the final project.30%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the c
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
A maximum of four absences are allowed throughout the semester.  Any additional absence will result in a penalization of one grade level (e.g.: from B+ to B for five absences, B+ to B- for six absebces, B+ to C+ for seven absences, etc.).  Two latenesses count for one absence.  Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class by calling students’ names.  Students not answering will be marked absent. Students arrived late will ask the instructor to be marked late at the end of the class, after which attendace records will not be modified.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Unit    1  Introduction.  Methodology.  Definitions.  Globalization.  Identity.

(Aug. 28, 30)                                                                                                                                                                                       (assigned readings)

Unit    2  Defining Terrorism.  Means.  Ends.  Motives.

(Sep. 4, 6)                                                                                                                    (Howard & Hoffman pp. 1-54; Naji pp. 1-10; assigned readings)

Unit    3  Understanding the Facilitators of Modern Terrorism.

(Sep. 11, 13)                                                                                                          (Howard & Hoffman pp. 55-139; Naji pp. 11-22; assigned readings)

Unit    4  The New Terrorism.

(Sep. 18, 20, 22)                                                                                                  (Howard & Hoffman pp. 140-237; Naji pp. 23-30; assigned readings)

Unit    5  Religion and the Intersection with Terrorism.

(Sep. 25, 27)                                                                                                         (Howard & Hoffman pp. 238-293; Naji pp. 31-45;assigned readings)

Unit    6  Case Study Analysis.  Class Discussion.

(Oct. 2, 4*)                                                                                                                                                                (Naji pp. 46-53; assigned readings)
* MIDTERM  EXAM

Unit    7  Case Study Analysis.  Class Discussion.

(Oct. 9, 11)                                                                                                                                                                 (Naji pp. 54-61; assigned readings)

Unit    8  Evolving Methods and Modes of Attack.

(Oct. 16, 18)                                                                                                                                 (Howard & Hoffman pp. 294-423; assigned readings)

Unit    9  The Challenge of Terrorism to a Free Society.

(Oct. 23, 25*)                                                                                                      (Howard & Hoffman pp. 424-480; Naji pp. 62-71; assigned readings)

* PROJECT  PROPOSAL

Unit  10  Case Study Analysis.  Class Discussion.  Strategies for Combating Terrorism. 

(Oct. 30)                                                                                                              (Howard & Hoffman pp. 481-592; Naji pp. 72-80; assigned readings)

Unit  11  Eclectic Approaches to Countering Terrorism.

(Nov. 6, 8)                                                                                                           (Howard & Hoffman pp. 593-649; Naji pp. 81-89; assigned readings)

Unit  12  Winning the War on Terrorism.  

(Nov. 13, 15)                                                                                                     (Howard & Hoffman pp. 650-737; Naji pp. 90-100; assigned readings)

Unit  13  Counterterrorism in a Post-bin Laden World.

(Nov. 20, 22)                                                                                                   (Howard & Hoffman pp. 738-778; Naji pp. 101-112; assigned readings)

Unit  14  Case Studies Review.  Class Discussion.  Conclusion.

(Nov. 27, 29*)                                                                                                                                                                                      (assigned readings)

* FINAL REAEARCH PROJECT  * PORTFOLIO 

(Dec. 3-7 tba *)         

* FINAL EXAM

Films/Audiovisual Materials Sessions:

(Monday Sep. 25 at 19:30)       “on State Terror”

(Monday Oct. 23 at 19:30)       “on Historical Terrorism”

(Monday Nov. 6 at 19:30)        “on Contemporary Terrorism”

NOTE:

The syllabus schedule may undergo reasonable changes in relation to guest speakers, field trips, make-ups, discussions, events, and other contingencies.