HS 424: 21st Century Terrorism & Security
Course Overview
What are the origins and motives of terrorism? The ‘Terrorist Mentality’
What are the best responses & solutions to terrorism?
Online Reference Book: 'Terrorism: Essential Primary Sources' http://libraries.state.ma.us/pages/research-e-sources
TEXTS AND RESOURCES:
• The Choices Program: Responding To Terrorism- Challenges for Democracy (56 pp. Brown University, 2008)
• Terrorism, Rosemary O’Kane (2007)
• The Looming Tower, 2006, Lawrence Wright (Chapters 1-4)
• Films: The Battle of Algiers (1966), Munich ( 2005), Paradise Now (2005)
• US National Security Strategy
• ‘Letter from Gaza: An Arsenal of Believers’ Nov 19, 2001 (New Yorker)
• Documentaries: PBS Frontline “In Search of Bin Laden”
• Terror in the Name of God: Why Religious Militants Kill , Jessica Stern (2003)
[ HONORS History Reading]
CALENDAR & UNITS OF STUDY/Projects:
Jan 13-Jan 30 |
Origins/ History of Terrorism, Current Events Presentations, Exam |
Feb 1-Feb 14 |
Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11: ‘The Looming Tower’ Seminars/Oral History Project on 9/11 |
Feb 24-Mar 21 |
The Terrorist Mentality: The Middle East & Algeria Film Analysis ‘Battle of Algiers’ (1966) and ‘Paradise Now’ (2005) |
Mar 21-April 4 |
Definition Essay: What is Terrorism? |
Apr 4-May 23 |
Responding to Terrorism & Challenges to Democracy: Group Project How should the US respond to Terrorism? Debate and Newscast Video Presentations |