Course Syllabus

V272 Terrorism and Public Policy

Section 103747

Instructor: Susan Siena, Teaching Professor

Class Meeting: in person T/R 8-9:15 a.m. 

Course Description: A survey of the incidence of terrorism around the world. Overviews of ongoing conflicts with terrorist organizations in various countries are interspersed with analyses of significant terrorist events and public policies and responses such events create.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course, you will be able to do the following:

  • explain the major questions about terrorism facing scholars and practitioners
  • discuss and analyze several major examples of terrorism & counterterrorism
  • use evidence to take a position on major questions about terrorism
  • evaluate sources of information about terrorism
  • use evidence to recommend a government response to terrorism
  • engage in civil discourse on controversial topics related to terrorism

Gen Ed Learning Outcomes:

  • demonstrate knowledge of human cultures based on an understanding of history, social situations, and social institutions
  • demonstrate the ability to think critically and creatively
  • demonstrate skills of inquiry and analysis
  • demonstrate intercultural and/or civic knowledge

Required Texts and Materials: 

Matthew Lippman, Terrorism and Homeland Security: Theory, History, and Contemporary Challenges. Cognella: 2025, 2nd edition.  Your course registration fee includes access to this book as an E-text.  Additional articles and videos will be posted on the Canvas site.  

Intellectual Inquiry and Debate:

In keeping with the University’s adoption of the Chicago Principles, this class will seek to cultivate an environment of free intellectual inquiry, debate, and constructive criticism. The instructor will guide discussions to advance the course's educational objectives, and students are encouraged to listen to one another and engage thoughtfully with differing viewpoints, even when unpopular or controversial views are expressed. The mere expression of views, words, symbols, images, or thoughts that some people find offensive does not violate free speech norms if such expression arises for legitimate academic and/or pedagogical purposes. The class will also seek to cultivate an environment in which people can change their minds, and in which students who are uncertain or need time to formulate their thoughts can claim the space to do so.

Grading:

In Class Participation: 10% (two lowest drop)

In Class Quizzes & Assignments: 10% (one lowest drops)
Homework Quizzes/Assignments: 10% (two lowest drop)

Simulations: 10% (absences replaced with % possible on next test)

Research Project: 15% (final draft due Nov. 12; presentation in last week of class)

Module Tests: 45%

  • Module 1-3 15% - Sept. 24
  • Module 4-7 15% -- Oct. 27
  • Module 8-9 Test 15% - Dec. 3

The above grading scheme is tentative and subject to adjustment by the instructor.