Counterterrorism

Catalog description

This course investigates the topic of counterterrorism. It surveys the history and evolution of counterterrorism campaigns, strategies, and tools using relevant scholarly and professional literature on the subject as well as contemporary and practical case studies that explore the application of counterterrorism. It begins with an examination of the current status of U.S. counterterrorism and the institutions and agencies that conduct counterterrorism. The course then moves into a discussion of specific counterterrorism strategies and tactics, ranging from military interventions to the use of community outreach, development, culture, and soft power. The course examines the challenges posed by network and clandestine structures of terrorist threats to counterterrorism officials, as well as the ethical implications of counterterrorism efforts. The comparative focus of the course is used to inform contemporary U.S. counterterrorism with the lessons learned from historical and contemporary counterterrorism campaigns waged by other states such as the United Kingdom, Israel, Turkey, France and Colombia.