George Mason University – Graduate Council Graduate Course Approval Form
All courses numbered 500 or above must be submitted to the Graduate Council for final approval after approval by the sponsoring College, School or Institute.
Graduate Council requires submission of this form for a new course or any change to existing courses. For a new course, please attach a copy of the syllabus and catalog description (with catalog credit format, e.g. 3:2:1). The designated representative of the College, School or Institute should forward the form along with the syllabus and catalog description, if required, as an email attachment (in one file) to the secretary of the Graduate Council. A printed copy of the form with signatures and the attachments should be brought to the Graduate Council meeting. Please complete the Graduate Course Coordinator Form if the proposed changes will affect other units.
Note: Colleges, Schools or Institutes are responsible for submitting new or modified catalog descriptions (35 words or less, using catalog format) to Creative Services by deadlines outlined in the yearly Catalog production calendar.
Please indicate: New X Modify Delete
Department/Unit: Public and International Affairs Course Subject/Number: BIOD 725
Submitted by: Gregory Koblentz, Deputy Director Ext: 3-1266 Email:
Course Title: Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction
Effective Term (New/Modified Courses only): fall 2008 Final Term (deleted courses only):
Credit Hours: (Fixed) 3:3:0 (Var.) to Grade Type (check one): X Regular graduate (A, B, C, etc.)
Satisfactory/No Credit only
Special graduate (A, B, C, etc. + IP)
Repeat Status*(check one): X NR-Not repeatable RD-Repeatable within degree RT-Repeatable within term
*Note: Used only for special topics, independent study, or internships courses Total Number of Hours Allowed:
Schedule Type Code(s): 1. LEC LEC=Lecture SEM=Seminar STU=Studio INT=Internship IND=Independent Study 2. LAB=Lab RCT=Recitation (second code used only for courses with Lab or Rct component)
Prereq X Coreq (Check one): BIOD 604 and BIOD 605; or permission of instructor.
______
Note: Modified courses - review prereq or coreq for necessary changes; Deleted courses - review other courses to correct prereqs that list the deleted course.
Description of Modification (for modified courses): N/A
Special Instructions (major/college/class code restrictions, if needed): no major restriction
Department/Unit Approval Signature:______Date: ______
College/School Committee Approval Signature:______Date:______
Graduate Council Approval Date:______Provost Office Signature:______
George Mason University Graduate Course Coordination Form
Approval from other units:
Please list those units outside of your own who may be affected by this new, modified, or deleted course. Each of these units must approve this change prior to its being submitted to the Graduate Council for approval.
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Unit: / Head of Units Signature: / Date:
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College of Humanities and Social Sciences
COURSE CATALOG COPY FORM
For the revision of catalog copy for new or modified courses
A. Subject code number, course title, and credit hours.
Subject code and number: BIOD 725
Title: Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction
Credit code: 3:3:0
B. Prerequisites needed prior to registration in the course or co-requisites:
Prerequisites: BIOD 604 and BIOD 605; or permission of instructor
Co-requisites: N/A
C. Description of the course as it will appear in the catalog
Examines the capabilities and intentions of terrorists to acquire and use chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons. The course provides an in-depth understanding of the history of CBRN terrorism, the current challenges posed by this threat, and the range of national and international policy tools available to address this threat.
Office of the Dean Use Only
Entered By: Date:
George Mason University
Department of Public and International Affairs
Course Number: BIOD 725
Course Title: Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction
Course Description: Examines the capabilities and intentions of terrorists to acquire and use chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons. The course provides an in-depth understanding of the history of CBRN terrorism, the current challenges posed by this threat, and the range of national and international policy tools available to address this threat.
Instructor: Gregory Koblentz
Course Overview:
Since September 11, the United States has viewed terrorist acquisition and use of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons as one of the gravest threats to national security. The course provides an in-depth understanding of the history of CBRN terrorism, the current challenges posed by this threat, and the range of national and international policy tools available to address this threat. The goal of the course is to familiarize students with the influence of strategy, technology, organizations, psychology, ideology, and economics on the nature of this threat and the strategies for managing this danger.
The course is organized into three parts. The first part of the course provides theoretical, historical and methodological frameworks for analyzing the threat of CBRN terrorism. This section will examine methodologies for assessing risk and the ongoing debate about the capabilities and motives of terrorists to acquire and use weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Case studies of terrorists groups that have sought these weapons, as well as those which have not, will be studied.
The second part examines how terrorists could acquire and use nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological weapons. The incentives for and obstacles to terrorist acquisition and use of each of these types of weapons will be considered in turn.
The third part of the course covers the range of policy tools available to national and international authorities to manage the threat of CBRN terrorism such as intelligence and law enforcement, prevention and deterrence, and crisis and consequence management. Special consideration will be given to how political and economic factors influence homeland security programs. International perspectives on preventing and preparing for CBRN terrorism will also be examined. This section will include a simulated Homeland Security Council (HSC) meeting to respond to a CBRN terrorism scenario.
Requirements
Readings
The reading load for this course is heavy. Students are expected to read the assigned readings before coming to class and be prepared to discuss the various discussion questions. Student participation in class discussions will have a major impact on final course grades.
All course materials, aside from the books recommended for purchase, will be available on WebCT, George Mason University’s electronic course management system. You can log onto WebCT at https://webct41.gmu.edu. Given the dynamic nature of this subject, additional readings may be assigned during the semester.
Attendance and Participation
Attendance at all classes is required. Since this is a small class, you are expected to be prepared to discuss the readings and actively participate in discussion.
Students are not expected to have an extensive background in terrorism or weapons of mass destruction. However, students are expected to share their thoughts and insights with the class. Those students with direct professional and related knowledge of these subjects are especially encouraged to participate actively in discussion.
Participation will be evaluated in terms of contributions to class discussion. Attendance and class participation will account for 10% of the final grade.
Simulation and Briefing Paper
Students will participate in a mock Homeland Security Council meeting to discuss options and develop a course of action for dealing with a CBRN terrorist threat. In preparation for the simulation, students will write a 10-15 page briefing paper. The briefing paper will be due on November 21. Due to the Thanksgiving break, there will be no class that day. Please submit the briefing paper to me by email by 4:30 PM. You should send the paper to the following email addresses: and . Details about the simulation and briefing paper will be distributed during the semester.
Major Assignments: Exams or Research Paper
Students can either take a mid-term and final exam or write a research paper. Both assignments are worth a total of 60% of the grade and the total length of both assignments is equivalent.
Examinations
A mid-term exam will be distributed during class on October 10. The exam will be due at the beginning of class on October 24.
A take-home final exam will be distributed during class on November 28. The exam will be due in Professor Koblentz’s office, Robinson Hall A242, by noon on December 12. Students are strongly encouraged to submit a hard copy of their final exam. Alternatively, the final can be emailed to me at AND . The deadline for the final exam is strict and extensions will not be permitted in the absence of a genuine emergency or documented illness.
Research Paper
Students may write a 20-24 page (6,000 word maximum) research paper on an approved topic. A 2-page proposal is due by October 10. Students are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with Professor Koblentz prior to submitting the proposal to discuss the proposed research topic. The research paper is due in Professor Koblentz’s office, Robinson Hall A242, by noon on December 12. Alternatively, the final can be emailed to Professor Koblentz at AND . The deadline for the research paper is strict and extensions will not be permitted in the absence of a genuine emergency or documented illness.
Grading
Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
Research Paper or Mid-Term and Final 60%
Simulation and Briefing Paper 30%
Attendance and Participation 10%
A late exam or paper will be penalized a full letter grade (for example, from A to B) for every 24 hour period that it is late.
Books Recommended for Purchase
The following books are recommended for purchase. These books will also be placed on reserve at Fenwick library:
Russell D. Howard and James J.F. Forest, eds., Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism (McGraw-Hill, 2008).
Jonathan B. Tucker, ed., Toxic Terror: Assessing Terrorist Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2000).
In addition to the recommended books, there are numerous journal articles and book chapters that are required reading for this class. To simplify the process of finding these readings, I have created a folder on WebCT for this class. WebCT is a university system that enables professors to create websites for their classes. On WebCT, you will find all of the readings for the course that do not appear in one of the books recommended for purchase. You can log on to WebCT at https://webct41.gmu.edu/
SYALLBUS
WEEK 1 (August 29): Assessing the Risk of CBRN Terrorism
Risk Assessment
M. Granger Morgan, “Risk Assessment and Management,” Scientific American, July 1993, pp. 32-41.
George Gray and David Ropeik, “What, Me Worry?” Boston Globe, November 11, 2001, p. E8.
Risk Assessment and CBRN Terrorism
Eric Lipton, “U.S. Lists Possible Terror Attacks and Likely Tolls,” New York Times, March 16, 2005, p. A1.
Summary of DHS Planning Scenarios, July 2004
Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr., “Surviving a Nuclear Attack on Washington, D.C.,” National Journal, June 24, 2005.
Jessica Stern, “Dreaded Risks and the Control of Biological Weapons,” International Security, Vol. 27, No. 3 (Winter 2002/03), pp. 89-123.
WEEK 2 (September 5): Terrorist Acquisition and Use of CBRN Weapons: Capabilities and Intentions
Richard Falkenrath, “Confronting Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Terrorism,” Survival, Vol. 40, No. 3 (Autumn 1998), pp. 43-65.
Jessica Stern, “Terrorist Motivations and Unconventional Weapons,” in Peter Lavoy, Scott Sagan, and James Wirtz, eds., Planning the Unthinkable: How New Powers Will Use Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Weapons (Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 2000), pp. 202-229.
Jerrold M. Post, “Psychological and Motivational Factors in Terrorist Decision-Making: Implications for CBW Terrorism,” in Jonathan B. Tucker, ed., Toxic Terror: Assessing Terrorist Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2000), pp. 271-289.
Ehud Spriznak, “The Great Superterrorism Scare,” Foreign Policy, Fall 1998, pp. 110-124.
Jonathan B. Tucker and Amy Sands, “An Unlikely Threat,” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Vol. 54, No. 5 (July/August 1999), pp. 46-52.
Andrew O’Neil, “Terrorist Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction: How Serious Is the Threat?” in Howard and Forest, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism, pp. 65-76.
WEEK 3 (September 12): Terrorist Acquisition and Use of CBRN Weapons: Case Studies
Rajneeshees
W. Seth Carus, “The Rajneeshees (1984),” in Jonathan B. Tucker, ed., Toxic Terror: Assessing Terrorist Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2000), pp. 115-137.
Aum Shinrikyo
David E. Kaplan, “Aum Shinrikyo (1995),” in Tucker, Toxic Terror, pp. 207-226.
Robert Jay Lifton, Destroying the World to Save It: Aum Shinrikyo, Apocalyptic Violence and the New Global Terrorism (New York: Metropolitan Books, 1999), pp. 202-213.
William Rosenau, “Aum Shinrikyo’s Biological Weapons Program: Why Did It Fail?” Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Vol. 24, No. 4 (2001), pp. 289-301.
Al-Qaeda and Its Allies
Read one of the following:
Sammy Salama and Lydia Hansell, “Does Intent Equal Capability? Al-Qaeda and Weapons of Mass Destruction,” Nonproliferation Review, Vol. 12, No. 3 (Fall-Winter 2005), pp. 615-653.
Adam Dolnik and Rohan Gunaratna, “Jemaah Islamiyah and the Threat of Chemical and Biological Terrorism,” in Howard and Forest, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism, pp.
280-294.
Domestic Terrorists
Read one of the following:
Jessica E. Stern, “Larry Wayne Harris (1998),” in Tucker, Toxic Terror, pp. 227-246.
Jonathan B. Tucker and Jason Pate, “Minnesota Patriots Council (1991),” in Tucker, Toxic Terror, pp. 159-184.
Anthrax Letters
Leonard Cole, The Anthrax Letters: A Medical Detective Story (Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press, 2003), chapter 9, pp. 185-211.
The Dogs That Didn’t Bark: Hamas and Palestinian Terrorist Groups
Read one of the following:
Adam Dolnik and Anjali Bhattacharjee, “Hamas: Suicide Bombings, Rockets, or WMD?” Terrorism and Political Violence, Vol. 14, No. 3 (Autumn 2002), pp. 109-128.
Ehud Sprinzak and Ely Karmon, “Why So Little? The Palestinian Terrorist Organizations and Unconventional Terrorism,” June 2007, http://www.ict.org.il/apage/13472.php
WEEK 4 (September 19): Nuclear Terrorism