Psychology of Terrorism Course Syllabus

Psychology of Terrorism
Psychology 487 Spring 2005 Term Department of Psychology State University of New York at Buffalo http://wings.buffalo.edu/aru/PsyTerror.htm	Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. B-77 Park Hall, North Campus Office hours: Wednesday 14:00-16:00 h plus most T/R 15:30 - 18:00 h telephone: 645-3650 ext. 677 e-mail: bozarth@buffalo.edu

Online Course Materials

Course Description

Course Prerequisites
& Format

Reading Material

Topics

Course Grade, Attendance, & Other Policies

Online Course Materials

Click here to view online course materials.

Course Description

The course examines the psychology of terrorism not terrorists. Motivation for individual terrorists is quite varied, ranging from zealous advocates of the terrorist organization’s objectives (agenda) to simple mental illness. The motivation for various terrorist organizations is more uniform with similar objectives and approaches across markedly different groups. Even when the methods used to achieve these objectives differ, terrorist organizations often have common motives and strategies for achieving their goals. A primary emphasis of the course is on identifying these common features both within and across terrorist organizations. Students must be able to 'think' like the terrorists to better understand their motives, their objectives, and the methods used to achieve their objectives. Effective counter-terrorist strategies and the eradication of terrorist 'breeding grounds' necessitate 'seeing the world from the terrorist's perspective.' Although some consideration of historic and of a variety contemporary terrorist groups is appropriate, a main focus of the course is on current terrorist threats confronting the United States.

“One person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter.”

Parental warning: This class is R-rated by the instructor and designed for mature students only (It may be X-rated by the second week of class.). Political correctness and pandering to special interest groups have no place in the open, free discussion of this serious issue that requires creative problem solving and not political rhetoric. Although the orientation of the course is strongly PRO-AMERICAN, the contemporary problem requires careful examination of U.S. foreign policy that may inadvertently contribute to the genesis of terrorism and to the terrorists' agenda. It also demands consideration of counter-terrorist strategies that provide an effective response to terrorism but may infringe on the American tradition of civil liberties and an 'open' society.

The primary course objectives are:

to develop an understanding of and a sensitivity to the social-political conditions that spawn terrorist organizations,
to briefly examine terrorism in a historic context,
to identify the most serious contemporary terrorist threats,
to examine the methods of terrorism,
to explore the psychological processes that create a terrorist,
to examine the psychological impact of terrorist activities, and
to explore counter-terrorism strategies through creative problem-solving.

Prerequisites

Psychology major or by permission of the instructor.

Instructional Format

The course is largely discussion oriented with some more formal presentations by the instructor. Regular attendance, reading, writing, and thinking with considerable work outside of class are necessary for successful completion of this course. Short, focus essays are due at each class period. Video tapes and other media supplement the regular course material. Some material is available only on the Internet and students are required to have an active computer account. Students are advised that the reading load is very heavy for this course.

Reading Material

Some required reading material for this course may be on deposit at the Jacobs Photocopy Center. Most of the reading material is available on the Internet. Other reading assignments may be made from the published literature and placed on reserve in the undergraduate library.

Course Grade

Grades are determined by class participation (pass/fail), short twice-weekly focus papers (70%), an annotated bibliography (10%), and a term paper (20%) on selected topics. There are no examinations for this course.

Attendance

Class attendance and participation in group discussions constitute an important component of the course. The mandatory attendance period begins 01 February and continues through 14 April. Students are permitted to miss two class periods during this time, after which each missed class period retroactive to the first two missed classes results in an attendance grade reduction of 5% (i.e., the third missed class period lowers the attendance grade to 85% -- the letter grade equivalent of a "B"). There are no excused absences for missed class periods -- you must be present to receive credit for participation. Students with commitments that conflict with the class meeting times and that might miss more than two of the mandatory attendance periods should withdraw from the course. Students are encouraged to attend all of the class periods, but only the 20 class meetings during the mandatory attendance period are used for calculating the attendance grade.

Other Policies

Important Notice This course has several special policies that will be enforced throughout the semester. The subject matter is 'emotionally charged,' sometimes requiring 'harsh' language and often requiring thinking from a perspective that may disagree with the ones personal beliefs. Special policies regarding classroom behavior will be enforced (details will be formalized by the beginning of class), and all students are required to 'behave' accordingly. Failure to follow the 'rules of engagement' may result in expulsion from the course at any time throughout the semester.

Changing classroom dynamics necessitate posting some explicit expectations for student behavior. Click here to read principles of student conduct in effect for this course that supplement those outlined in the University at Buffalo Undergraduate Catalog. Continued enrollment in this course presumes the student has read and will adhere to these principles.

Notice: Students with disabilities (physical or psychological) that require special consideration should notify the instructor and the Office of Disability Services (25 Capen Hall, 645-2608) during the first two weeks of class. Various support services may be available.

Copyright Notice

The material contained on this web site and the material distributed for class are protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Students are expressly prohibited from making audio or video recordings of lecture material and discussions and from compilation and distribution of class material except for their own private use.

Topics

Some of the topics addressed by the focus papers include:

What is terrorism?
What are the objectives of terrorists?
What are the methods of terrorists?
Why do terrorists use the tactics of terrorism?
What are the weapons of terrorists?
What makes a person become a terrorist?
What can stop a terrorist?
What are some of the major terrorist groups active today?
What groups were active in previous generations? Did they achieve their goals?
What are some of the important cultural differences that should be considered by terrorists when attacking countries?
What are some of the important cultural differences that should be considered by countries when designing counter-terrorist strategies?
How do religious beliefs sometimes seem to aid terrorists?
Is the use of torture ever justified for extracting information from suspected terrorists?
Is the use of terrorist tactics ever justified?