copyright 2005-2008 michael a. bozarth, ph.d. understanding terrorism course overview michael a....

Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.

Understanding Terrorism

Course Overview

Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.Department of Psychology

University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY 14260-4110

www.PsychologyofTerrorism.com


Difficult Subject to ‘Teach’

Emotionally ‘charged’ topic• strongly conflicting points of view• psychologically disturbing material

Requires parallel instead of linear information processing

Lacks adequate ‘answers’ to important questions


Course Approach

Background lectures by professor Extensive writing assignments for

thought focusing Open discussion of selected topics Introduction to the central issues and to

the methods of analysis (“soft” psychology approach) rather than a traditional academic course


Course Objectives

To develop an understanding of and a sensitivity to the social-political conditions that spawn terrorism

To briefly examine terrorism in a historic context

To identify the most serious contemporary terrorist threats


Course Objects

To examine the methods of terrorism

To explore the psychological processes that create a terrorist

To examine the psychological impact of terrorist activities

continued


Course Objectives

To encourage creative problem-solving to counter terrorism

To prepare

To survive

To Endure

the current terrorist threat to the United States

continued


Secondary Objectives

Learn how to interact effectively with people with whom you disagree

Learn how to obtain the most reliable information

Learn more about potential terrorist weapons and response preparedness


Secondary Objectives

Learn how to listen to opposing views more effectively

Develop better analytical skills Develop better anger management

skills

continued

Your opinion


Classroom Behaviorand Beyond

The usual rules of classroom behavior are applicable

• arrive on-time & don’t leave early• cell phones turned off and put away• irrelevant books & papers put away• raise your hand not your voice• etc., etc., etc. (see online syllabus)

Some additional rules also apply


Ground Rules

The professor “owns” the classroom• this is not a democratic process• you want to run the show? then get your own

class (and maybe a Ph.D. first)

Move on! (The discussion of this topic is over.)

• time or temper may limit some discussions• the “move on” command ends the topic


Ground Rules

Las Vegas Rule (“What happens here stays here.”)

• recording devices are prohibited• no continuation of arguments outside of

classroom

No place for political correctness • everyone will have an equal opportunity

to be offended

continued


Ground Rules

Classroom discussions are discussions not student lectures

• you have limited time to make your point — use it effectively

• listen attentively to other person’s point of view — process the information and be willing to change (i.e., learn) from your new experience

• think before rebutting someone’s position — keep the rebuttal logical

continued


Class Format

Background lecture & material Focus questions assigned for most

class periods• professor’s introductory comments• open discussion of focus questions• professor’s summary & comments

New focus questions assigned


Course Requirements

Considerable reading (and thinking) on class topics

Short, twice-weekly essays addressing assigned focus questions

Annotated bibliography Term paper Regular class attendance


Course Grade

Attendance & focus essays (70%)• two excused absences during mandatory

attendance period• 29 January through 10 April• 5% deduction per class period retroactive

• no excuses, no make-up, no credit Annotated bibliography (10%) Term paper (20%)


Focus Questions (70%)

Usually two questions for each twice-weekly class period

Approximately 150-300 words per question

Primarily thought stimulating, with research & references optional

Typewritten single-spaced and submitted as hardcopy


Annotated Bibliography (10%)

15 to 20 articles Typewritten with full bibliographic

information Brief annotations

• 1/2 to 1 single-spaced page per source (or longer as necessary)

• summary with brief critique & other notes


Term Paper (20%)

Typewritten APA style Length 15-20 double-spaced pages Referenced as appropriate Scholarly standards consistent with

senior undergraduate seminar (i.e., the best work one can do after 4 years of university education)

Emphasis on logic and composition


“X-Rating”

Terrorism is a nasty business• terrorist tactics involve gruesome

acts of violence including killing, injuring, & torturing their victims

• the topic cannot be seriously addressed without examining these behaviors in detail

• some material may be graphic and disturbing, the language vulgar


Course Units

Overview of Terrorism Historic Roots of Terrorism

• Brief history of terrorism• Historic roots of modern terrorists

Terrorist Weapons & Tactics Terrorism and the Media: Amplifying

the Terrorists' Impact (unwilling partners)


Course Units

Information Sources: Discerning Facts from Fiction

Psychological Impact of Terrorism Genesis of Terrorism Understanding the Terrorist: Any

value in psychological profiling?

continued


Course Units

National, Regional, and Individual Preparedness for Terrorist Attacks

Developing Effective Counter-Terrorist Strategies

continued


Course Orientation

Strongly Pro-American• some discussions may criticize

• past and present American foreign or domestic policies

• American counter-terrorism strategies

• but such self-examination is a critical part of an open, democratic society

• in the final analysis, American security interests are the top priority here


Focus Question Set #1

What is terrorism? What are the objectives of

terrorists? • What is their ultimate goal? • What are they trying to accomplish?

Remember that focus questions are “open source” but acknowledge the source—avoid plagiarism!


The course syllabus is available online at:

www.PsychologyofTerrorism.com/PsyTerror.html

copyright 2005-2008 michael a. bozarth, ph.d. understanding terrorism course overview michael a....

Documents

topic slide

opinion slide

hardcopy slide

regular class attendance

response preparedness

course objectives

assigned focus questions

new focus questions