POL 043 - Global Terrorism

The objective of this course is to have a better theoretical and practical understanding of global terrorism and the context in which it occurs. Moreover, this course is planned to provide students with a fundamental knowledge and framework of global terrorism. Furthermore, this course aims to engage with the debates surrounding prominent theories and prevailing practices of counterterrorism. Also, this course will not only scrutinize several terrorist organizations, but also state terrorism such as the case of Israel.

The main objectives of the course are to:

• Develop a profound understanding of several theoretical aspects of terrorism,

including but not limited to its historical roots, the different dimensions over the years, how it is funded and its relationship with the media.

• Furthermore, one of the primary objectives is to acquire knowledge and develop

analytical skills on, among other things, the history and modus operandi of specific terrorist groups, anti-terrorist governmental and non-governmental options, and the impact of terrorism on geopolitical relationships.

Schmid, Alex. P., The Routledge Handbook of Terrorism Research (New York: Routledge, 2011).

Kydd, Andrew H., and Barbara F. Walter. 2006. "The Strategies of Terrorism."

International Security 31 (1): 49–79

Duyvesteyn, Isabelle (2004) 'How New is the New Terrorism?', Studies in Conflict

and Terrorism, 27(5), 439-54

Bolt, Neville, David Betz, and Jaz Azari (2008). "Propaganda of the Deed:

Understanding the Phenomenon." Royal United Services Institute Whitehall

Horchem, Hans Josef (1991). "The Decline of the Red Army Faction", Terrorism and Political Violence, 3.

Neumann, Peter, and M. L. R. Smith (2005). "Strategic Terrorism: The Framework

and Its Fallacies." Journal of Strategic Studies 28 (4) (August): 571–595

Merari, Ariel (1993) "Terrorism as a Form of Insurgency." Terrorism and Political Violence (4): 213–251

Tarrow, S. (2007). Inside insurgencies: Politics and violence in an age of civil war. Perspectives on Politics, 5(03), 587-600.

McCauley, Clark and Moskalenko, Sophia. (2005). 'Mechanisms of Political Radicalisation: Pathways to Terrorism,' Terrorism and Political Violence, 17(3).

Rogers, Brooke M., Loewenthal, Kate M., Lewis, Christopher Alan, Amlot, Richard, Cinnirella, Marco, and Ansari, Humayan. (2007). 'The role of religious fundamentalism in terrorist violence: A social psychological analysis.' International Review of Psychiatry, 19(3).

Neumann, Peter. 2005. "The Bullet and the Ballot Box: The Case of the IRA." Journal of Strategic Studies 28 (6) (December): 941–975.

Mishal, Shaul and Avraham Sela (2006). The Palestinian Hamas: Vision, Violence and Coexistence. New York: Columbia University Press, 2006.

Hoffman, Bruce (2004). 'The Changing Face of Al Qaeda and the Global War on Terrorism', Studies in Conflict and Terrorism 27(6).

Heymann, Philip (2001). 'Dealing with Terrorism: An Overview', International Security, 26(3) 24-38.

Wolfendale, Jessica (2005). 'Terrorism, Security, and the Threat of Counterterrorism', Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 30(1), 75-92.

Pratt, S. F. (2013). "Anyone Who Hurts Us": How the Logic of Israel's "Assassination Policy" Developed During the Aqsa Intifada. Terrorism and Political Violence, 25(2), 224-245.

Horgan, J., & Braddock, K. (2010). Rehabilitating the Terrorists?: Challenges in Assessing the Effectiveness of De-radicalization programs. Terrorism and Political Violence, 22(2), 267-291.

Kilcullen, David J. (2005). 'Countering Global Insurgency', The Journal of Strategic Studies, 28(4) 597-617.

Byman, Daniel (2006). 'Friends Like These: Counterinsurgency and the War on Terrorism', International Security, 31(2) 79-115.

Dixon, P. (2009). 'Hearts and Minds'? British Counter-Insurgency from Malaya to Iraq. The Journal of Strategic Studies, 32(3), 353-381.

De Goede, Marieke. (2008). 'The Politics of Preemption and the War on Terror in Europe'. European Journal of International Relations 14(1): 161-185.

Buzan, B. (2006). "Will the 'global war on terrorism' be the new Cold War?" International affairs, 82(6), 1101-1118.

Walzer, Michael. (2007). On fighting terrorism justly. International Relations, 21(4), 480-484.

Crawford, N. C. (2003). Just war theory and the US counterterror war. Perspective on Politics, 1(01), 5-25.

Gross, M. L. (2006). 'Assassination and Targeted Killing: Law Enforcement, Execution or Self‐Defence?' Journal of applied philosophy, 23(3), 323- 335.

Ogun, Mehmet Nesip (2012), "Terrorist Use of Internet: Possible Suggestions To Prevent The Usage For Terrorist Purposes", Journal of Applied Security Research, Vol.7, Issue 2, pp.203-217, (ISSN: 1936-1610) (Most Read Article at the Journal)

Upon completing this course, students will be able to realise PY-1 Fundamental Concepts and Theories, PY-4 Multidisciplinary study, PY-5 Independent study, PY-6 Assume responsibility. In this sense, this course aims to acknowledge the following outcomes:

• After completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

     -Comprehend what is – and equally importantly what is not – terrorism and terrorist groups.

     Develop analytical and research skills using the theoretical knowledge acquired on mainstream and more contemporary terrorism issues.

     -Analyse and present case studies of specific terrorist groups and terrorism incidences.

For more information on grading, see IZU Regulations for Undergraduate Education:

http://www.izu.edu.tr/tr-TR/lisans-egitim-ve-ogretim-yonetmeligi/662/Page.aspx

EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR THE ESSAY TYPE EXAMS:

Students must ensure that they adhere to the word limit set for any piece of assessed work and should indicate word count on the title page.  If students breach the upper limit specified, they may gain an unfair advantage and markers are not required to read beyond the stated word limit. Moreover, meeting the stipulated requirements is one of the skills that is being assessed and achieving the stipulated length is directly related to other assessment criteria (such as a concise argument, clear focus, etc). Thus, marks will be deducted for work that exceeds the prescribed word limit. The deductions for over-length work as follows:

Unless justified by certified medical reasons, late essays/assignments will be penalized at the rate of 5 percentage points per day (including weekends) to a maximum of 25 percentage points. Essays/Assignments submitted more than 5 days after the deadline will receive a grade of 0%. Students are encouraged to discuss potential problems regarding the submission of assessed work with the course lecturer well in advance of the respective deadlines.

     -Generate profound reports on at least 3 case studies.

     -Describe and evaluate the impact of specific geopolitical changes and historical circumstances on the development and actions of specific terrorist groups.

     -Utilise international relations-based theoretical tools – especially from the field of security.

The expected outcomes are as follows:

1. Think critically about essential issues in terrorism

2. Realistically assess threats of terrorism

3. Understand terrorist acts and their impact

4. Explore problem-solving solutions and preventions in issues of terrorism

5. Examine police and governmental responses to terrorism

6. Enhance communication skills and reading/research

Class Norms/ Expectations:

•    Attendance-Participation

I remind students that attendance at Lectures is compulsory according to university regulations. Students are strongly advised not to miss lectures since success is closely related to attendance. Absences less than 70% will typically be penalised with a 'DZ' grade. See Articles 20, 31, 32 and 33 of IZU Regulations for Undergraduate Education for more information.

•    Late/ Make-up Work Policy

In all cases, you must submit a written request for a Make-up Examination to the Dean's Office (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) within three days of the examination, giving reasons together with the necessary supporting evidence. For more information, see Article 26 IZU Regulations for Undergraduate Education. There is no make-up for make-up exams.

•    Re-grading

Students can object to their grades and request re-grading within one week of the announcements.

•    Use of Mobile Devices

The students can use their personal computers for course-related activities during the classes. Mobile phones should be switched off and should not be used in any circumstances. The instructor reserves his right to ban personal computers if students use them for non-academic lectures.

•    Student Recording of Class

The students cannot have an audio and visual recording of the class without the explicit consent of the instructor and all other students.

•    Academic integrity, including collaboration and plagiarism

The student will receive a failing grade on the assignment in question. Depending on the nature and severity of the offence, the student may also receive an automatic failing grade for the course or be referred to appropriate university bodies for further disciplinary action. If you think you do not know plagiarism, please familiarise yourself with online resources. Please check the website http://plagiarism.org and make sure what is counted as plagiarism. Make sure that response papers will be individual projects. I will collect electronic copies of your paper in addition to the printed copies.

•    Special Treatment

The students who need special treatments due to disabilities are advised to contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester.