Countering Domestic Extremism in the United States

Catalog description

Domestic extremism is an issue the United States government has had to contend with since its inception, from Shay's and the Whiskey Rebellions in the 18th century, to the Ku Klux Klan throughout the 19th & 20th centuries, to the threat of domestic terrorism today. Broadly defined, extremism has profound and specific impacts on our government and everyday life. Given the limited, enumerated powers the U.S. Constitution grants the national government, cooperation between local, state, and federal agencies is essential to counter domestic threats arising from extremists across the political spectrum. This course will examine threats to U.S. domestic security both before and after the September 11th attacks with a focus on critiquing the ability of our federal system of government to prevent and respond to the evolving threats posed by individuals and groups within the United States.