The Roots of Terrorism and U.S. Foreign Policy

This program will examine the nature and causes of terrorism, particularly against the United States from the Middle East in the recent period, and the contending approaches and policy options concerning how best to respond to it. To do this, the program will focus primarily on debates over this issue in the United States since the terror attacks of 9/11 by exploring different theories of terrorism, political violence and counter-terrorism offered by various scholars, military strategists and political theorists. The program will examine the theories and strategies adopted in the current "war on terror" and in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the history of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, the rise of Al-Qaida and Jihadist terrorism and the changing nature of warfare in the 21^st century.

To meet the learning goals of this program, students will obtain a thorough knowledge of current events; develop a thorough understanding of the history of United States foreign policy in the Middle East; learn how to assess and compare competing theories of terrorism and counter-terrorism strategies; understand the diversity of political, cultural and religious beliefs within the Middle East and within radical Islamist groups; engage in critical thinking; and develop informed opinions regarding all of these topics.

The program will be organized around a series of texts, exercises and assignments, including several in-class presentations, role-plays and activities and several analytical papers. We will watch films and documentaries to supplement our learning. A serious commitment by students to all of the work within the program is necessary.