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Understanding Terrorism |
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Psychology 488 |
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Much of the material used for this course, including specific learning modules, is available online at PsychologyofTerrorism.com (follow the links from the “Academic Training” web page). Specific assignments will be made throughout the semester. UBlearns has also been set-up for this course.
The course examines various aspects of terrorism. Topics include terrorists' objectives, strategies, and specific methods including 'weapons systems.' The underlying causes of terrorist behavior are a fundamental consideration. The psychological impact of terrorism (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) is secondary and is considered mainly within the context of its impact of the terrorists' behavior.
The primary course objectives are:
Part of the course explores the psychology of terrorism but not that of terrorists. Motivation for individual terrorists is quite varied, ranging from zealous advocates of the terrorist organization’s objectives (agenda) to simple mental illness. The motivation for various terrorist organizations is more uniform with similar objectives and approaches across markedly different groups. Even when the methods used to achieve these objectives differ, terrorist organizations often have common motives and strategies for achieving their goals. A primary emphasis of the course is on identifying these common features both within and across terrorist organizations. Students must be able to 'think' like the terrorists to better understand their motives, their objectives, and the methods used to achieve their objectives. Effective counter-terrorist strategies and the eradication of terrorist 'breeding grounds' necessitate 'seeing the world from the terrorist's perspective.' Although some consideration of historic and of a variety contemporary terrorist groups is appropriate, a main focus of the course is on current global terrorist threats.
“One person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter.”
Parental warning: This class is R-rated by the instructor and designed
for mature students only (It may be X-rated by the second week of class.).
Political correctness and pandering to special interest groups have no place in
the open, free discussion of this serious issue that requires creative problem
solving and not political rhetoric. Although the orientation of the course is
strongly PRO-AMERICAN, the contemporary problem requires careful examination of
Psychology major or by permission of the instructor.
The course is largely discussion oriented with thematic presentations by the instructor. Regular attendance, reading, writing, and thinking with considerable work outside of class are necessary for successful completion of this course. Short, focus essays are due at each class period. Video tapes and other media may supplement the regular course material. Some material is available only on the Internet and students are required to have an active computer account. Students are advised that the reading load is very heavy for this course.
This course is an upper-level course designed for mature university students. As such the expectations are different from most undergraduate courses.
There is no textbook used for this course. Some required
reading material may be on deposit at the
Grades are determined by class participation including attendance and short twice-weekly focus papers (70%), by an annotated bibliography (10%), and by a term paper (20%) on selected topics. There are no examinations for this course.
All written work must be typed and submitted as hardcopy (i.e., no electronic submissions accepted). The twice-weekly focus papers should generally range from 1 to 2 single-spaced pages (150-200 words per question for each of the two to four questions). The annotated bibliography should consist of approximately 20 sources, each summarized in 1/2 single-spaced pages (Books constitute the equivalent of several "sources" depending on the book's length and depth and on the written analysis provided by the student.). The term paper length ranges from 15 to 20 double-spaced pages; sources from the annotated bibliography can be used to provide the basis of the term paper. More details of the requirements and expectations for the written course components will be presented in class beginning the third week of classes.
Class attendance and participation in group
discussions constitute an important component of the course. The mandatory
attendance period begins 26 January and continues through 08 April.
Students are permitted to miss two class periods during this time, after which
each missed class period retroactive to the first two missed classes results in
an attendance grade reduction of 5% (i.e., the third missed class period lowers
the attendance grade to 85% -- the letter grade equivalent of a "B").
There are no excused absences for missed class periods -- you must be
present to receive credit for participation. Students with commitments that
conflict with the class meeting times and that might miss more than two of the
mandatory attendance periods should withdraw from the course. Students are
encouraged to attend all of the class periods, but only the 20 class meetings
during the mandatory attendance period are used for calculating the class
participation grade.
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Important Deadlines |
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Annotated
Bibliographies (Final Versions)
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Term
Papers (Optional
Preliminary Versions) |
Term Papers (Final Versions)
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Note that the above deadlines are firm and are NOT target deadlines. Students are invited to submit the required material early. Failure to meet these deadlines results in a "0" grade being entered for the corresponding grade component. This has an even stronger detrimental effect than receiving a "D" on substandard written work. For example, a perfect participation score of "100%" would be lowered to a course grade of 70% (corresponding to a "C-" letter grade) if both the annotated bibliography and term paper were not submitted by the deadlines. There are no excuses, no exceptions. (These deadlines were posted the first day of class and students are advised to work well in advance of the deadlines.) The annotated bibliography deadline is strategically set for the first class period after Spring Break, and the term paper deadline is strategically set for three weeks after the end of the mandatory attendance period. Students are strongly encouraged to 'work ahead' on these components throughout the semester.
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Important Notice This course has several special policies that will be enforced throughout the semester. The subject matter is 'emotionally charged,' sometimes requiring 'harsh' language and often requiring thinking from a perspective that may disagree with ones personal beliefs. Special policies regarding classroom behavior will be enforced (details are presented during the first class meeting), and all students are required to 'behave' accordingly. Failure to follow the 'rules of engagement' may result in expulsion from the course at any time throughout the semester. |
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Changing classroom dynamics necessitate posting some explicit expectations for student behavior. Click here to read principles of student conduct in effect for this course that supplement those outlined in the University at Buffalo Undergraduate Catalog. Continued enrollment in this course presumes the student has read and will adhere to these principles. |
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Notice: Students with disabilities (physical or psychological) that require special consideration should notify the instructor and the Office of Disability Services (25 Capen Hall, 645-2608) during the first two weeks of class. Various support services may be available. |
The material contained on this web site and the materials
distributed for class are protected by
Some of the topics addressed by the focus papers include:
Copyright 2004-2010 M.A. Bozarth (University at