In order to understand the attacks of 9/11 and the current policy of a "War on Terrorism," this program will examine the root causes of terrorism and their relation to U.S. foreign policy. We will examine the debate over which factors have contributed most significantly to the rise of terrorism, particularly in the Middle East, and look closely at the cases of Iraq, Afghanistan and Israel/Palestine and the rise of Islamist radicalism. The course will include readings, films and creative writing.