Terrorism as a Strategy
Semester Hours Credit: 1
Lecture Hours: 16
Location: SC Education Center
Course Dates/Days/Times:
14 Jan 2018 – 30 Jan 2018
Su/Tu/Th 1800-2000
Instructor: Anthony R. LaFleur
Office Hours: By Appointment
Instructor Email:
Phone: 4315
I. INTRODUCTION
A. This seminar will consider the definitions of terrorism, terrorist groups and terrorist strategies.
B. This course is nota requirement for the Associates of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice. This is a Criminal Justice elective course that will apply one credit toward the students’ achievement of their degree.
C. This course is occupationally related and serves in preparation for careers in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, and Corrections.
D. Prerequisite(s): None
II. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, Terrorism as a Strategy, the student will:
A.Explain definitions of terrorism, terrorist groups, and terrorist strategies.
B.Understand basic information about types of terrorist incidents that Emergency Service (Police, Fire, EMS) may encounter and how to respond to such incidents.
- Define Counterterrorism and the understand security measures, proactive measures, and reactive measures.
- Understand different types of terrorist groups and their ideology.
E.Compare and contrast the intentions and capabilities of terrorist groups that exist worldwide.
III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A. TEXT: None Required. The instructor may distribute reading assignments which must be read before the first meeting of class.
B. Resources:
Sachs, Gordon M., Terrorism Emergency Response, Published by Julie Levin Alexander, Pearson, New Jersey, 2003.
Poland, James M., Understanding Terrorism Groups, Strategies, and Responses, 2nd Edition, Published by Stephen Helba, Pearson, New Jersey, 2005.
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A.Your first responsibility is scholarship. The grade you receive for this course will not be the grade of the instructor, but rather the grade you and you alone make.
B.You should attend class regularly and be prepared to participate in classroom discussions and to take unannounced quizzes relating to text assignments and lecture material presented from the beginning of the course. Please refer to ‘Class Attendance and Course Progress’ under the Academic Policies section in our current Central Texas College (CTC) Course Catalog.
C.You are encouraged to give your best effort throughout the course. From the beginning, you should plan for a steady, organized, and continuous effort, which in the long run will prove more effective for your final grade than a last minute crash-cram policy. Your course grade is not determined solely by exam grade. Such factors as class participation, initiative, attendance, and individual research papers or projects will be considered in grade computation.
D.From time to time, special library and/or outside assignments will be made to members of the class individually and/or in groups. You are expected to read all assignments and fulfill your responsibilities to any group assignment.
E.You are expected to read all assigned material and bring your textbook/reading materials to class. Keep informed on all assignments, especially after an absence.
F.Good class notes are indispensable for earning a good grade, since both the material assigned and that discussed in class will be the basis for examination material.
G.Scholastic Honesty: All students are required and expected to maintain the highest standards of scholastic honesty in the preparation of all coursework and during examinations. The following are considered examples of scholastic dishonesty:
Plagiarism: The taking of passages from the writing of others without giving proper credit to the sources.
Collusion: Using another’s work as one’s own, or working together with another person in the preparation of work, unless such joint preparation is specifically approved in advance by the instructor.
Cheating: Giving or receiving information on examinations.
Students guilty of scholastic dishonesty will be administratively dropped from the course with a grade of “F” and be subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension and expulsion.
H.Special Work: A term paper or other project, per requirements of the instructor, will be required. The subject must be appropriate for the course material. Check with the instructor when you have made a selection. The value is indicated in the semester grade computation and has considerable weight on your final average.
V. EXAMINATIONS
A. There will be one final examination and one final research paper. The final exam will contain multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short essay questions from material covered in required readings and course lectures.
1.Final exam on 30 January 2018.
2. ResearchPaper due on 28 January 2018.
B.A student must be present for the examination. Students who know in advance that they will be absent from an examination due to valid reasons must arrange to take an early examination. Unexpected absences due to illness or extenuating circumstances will require the student to see the instructor about individual make-up work.
C.Students without excused absences will be given a zero for the missed examination.
D.Examinations will consist of both objective (true/false, multiple choice, fill in-the-blank, and matching) and subjective (short answer and essay) questions. Students must be able to communicate both orally and in written form, thus some questions requiring the composition and writing of an essay answer will be required.
VI. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
Attendance and Participation – 50 points
Final Exam – 25 points
Research Paper – 25 Points
90-100 Grade - A
80- 89 Grade - B
70- 79 Grade - C
60- 69 Grade - D
Less than 60 Grade - F
VII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM COURSE INSTRUCTOR
- Tuition refunds are made only in the case of class cancellation or official and timely withdrawal from CTC or from a course. Please refer to the current course catalog for more details.
- GoArmyEdstudents should contact their education counselor before withdrawing and are required to withdraw through the GoArmyEd portal.
Please note: a military withdrawal does not override CTC’s grading policy.
For self-pay students, refunds are computed from the date the Application for
Withdrawal or Refund is filed with the CTC Field Representative or designated student Services Officer. Special conditions apply to students who receive federal, state, and/or institutional financial aid.
Tuition and fees paid directly to the Institution by the Veterans Administration, Title IV (Financial Aid Programs, a sponsor, donor, or scholarship shall be refunded to the source rather than directly to the students.
- Course Withdrawals, Student Responsibilities: It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course. The instructor cannot initiate a withdrawal based upon a student’s request. Rather, students must initiate the withdrawal with the designated Education Center Representative, through the CTC Field Representative or the Student Services Officer for that region.
- Faculty/Administrative Initiated Withdrawals
Faculty are authorized to withdraw students who are not making satisfactory course progress as outlined in the section of the Catalog entitled "Satisfactory Progress Standards”.
A student may be administratively withdrawn by a designated member of the administrative staff of the College under the following conditions:
- The student has been placed on Academic Suspension or Disciplinary Suspension;
- The student has an outstanding financial obligation owed to the college;
- The student registered for a course without the required prerequisite or departmental permission;
- Students who do not participate or complete graded activities during the first week will be administratively withdrawn.
The college is under no obligation to refund tuition and fees, or other costs associated with a student who is administratively withdrawn.
- Incomplete / Course in Progress Grade Policy: An “IP” or “Incomplete” grade may be assigned by an instructor if a student has made satisfactory progress in a course with the exception of a major quiz, final exam, or other project. The “IP” grade may also be assigned based on circumstances beyond a student’s control, such as personal illness, death in the immediate family, or military orders. Notice of absences, with supporting documentation, may be required by the instructor. The instructor makes the final decision concerning the granting of the incomplete grade. With an “Incomplete” grade, students are required to complete a set amount of work before the instructor will submit an official letter grade.
- Cellular phones, beepers, and other electronic devices will be turned off while the student is in the classroom or laboratory unless the student is using the device for class purposes. No texting or social networking is allowed during class.
- Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course requirements.
- Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive educational experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning environment. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
VIII. COURSE OUTLINE
- The course will meet face-to-face for eight, two hour blocks. In addition, instructional strategies will include research and homework and possibly group collaboration/projects.
- For this class; communication with the instructor will be via email and phone. The instructor must have an accurate e-mail address for each student, and students will need to check their inbox regularly for assignment instructions and submission requirements.
- This course will utilize the standard format. Lecture, discussion, and power point presentations, with assignments and research on various topics of terrorism. The class will consist of 16 contact hours in the classroom. The final exam will be administered on the last day of class.
- The instructor will e-mail handouts and power point presentations of the chapters on Friday prior to the Saturday class. We will continue discussion and cover additional material, including new chapters and audiovisual aids, during the face-to-face sessions.
Day 1: Understanding Terrorism and Violent Extremism
Dates: 14 January 2018
Topics
Causes of Terrorism
Concepts of countering violent extremism
Day 2: Islamic Extremism
Dates: 16 January 2018
Topics
Reaction vs Prevention
Women and Terrorism
Children and Terrorism
Media and Terrorism
Required Reading: Frazer and Nunlist “The Concept of Countering Violent Extremism”
Day 3: Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism
Date: 18 January 2018
Topics
Muslim Homegrown Terror
The Myth of the Lone Wolf
Lone Actor vs. Remote Controlled Jihadi
Required Reading: Burke, “The Myth of the Lone Wolf Terrorist”
Day 4: Americans Fighting Abroad
Date: 21 January 2018
Topics
ISIS and the recruitment of Americans
Lessons of Anwar al-Awlaki
Radicalized Americans
Required Reading: Hughes and Clifford “First He Became an American”
Day 5: Left-Wing Extremism
Date: 23 January 2018
Topics
The New Left
Eco Terror
Anarchy and ANTIFA
Day 6: Right Wing, Anti-Federalism, and Sovereign Citizens
Date: 26 January 2018
Topics
Ring Wing Terror and Racism
Anti Federalism
Sovereign Citizens
Leaderless Resistance
Required Reading: Beam “Leaderless Resistance”
Day 7: Fundamentalism and Christian Identity
Date: 28 January 2018
Topics
Alt-Right
Christian Identity and Politics of Religion
Anti-Abortion
Final Paper Due
Day 8: Review and Final Exam
Date: January 30
Research Paper(200 Points)
Topic Due: 16 January 2018`Paper Due: 28 January 2018
You will be required to write an 8-10-page research paper on a topic directly related to the course. Your research paper should ask a research question, feature relevant research citing peer reviewed sources, and end with a conclusion of your opinion for the answer of the paper. Some examples are listed below:
“What are the implications of ISIS territorial losses in Iraq and Syria?”
“What threats are posed by violent right wing and Christian identity groups?”
“Is there an increased threat of lone actor and remote controlled attacks in the U.S.?”
“How did (historical figure) impact (Specific terrorist movement)?”
“What was the significance of (Specific event) on the (specific movement)?”
Your paper should include factual evidence to support your conclusion. The paper must be 8-10 pages, double spaced, 12-point font, and include a title page, abstract, and reference list. You must cite at least 8 peer reviewed sources. You must follow APA guidelines for research papers. An APA guide is available through the Purdue Online Writing Lab (
If you are unsure of a topic’s relevance or need help selecting a topic, please clarify with the instructor or ask for help. Topics must be finalized and approved by the instructor at the conclusion of the 2nd session (16 January 2018). The paper will be due at the start of class on 28 January 2018. You will be graded on content and formatting. Wikipedia citation will not be accepted and will cause an automatic zero on this assignment. Plagiarism will not accepted and will result in an automatic zero on your paper.
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