SSCI/GOVT 510 Seminar: The War on Terror & American Society Spring 2004 David W. Thornton 245 LFSB 893-1488

thornton@mailcenter.campbell.edu

Course Objectives:

This course examines the phenomenon of terrorism, the events of September 11 2001, and the response of American government and society to these challenges. Through discussion of assigned readings & other materials, participants will explore as a group broad themes and topics relevant to the terrorist attacks on the US and their many ramifications. Participants will also individually investigate and inform their counterparts regarding specific issues within those topic areas. The goal is to develop a shared understanding of the war on terror and its impact on American society, and also to generate ideas and information useful in the ongoing study of this vital subject.

Seminar Procedures, Grading & Evaluation:

Meetings are held 6:30-9:30 pm Tuesdays as listed below. The first 60-90 minutes of each meeting will be devoted to discussion of the assigned readings & any additional materials. As in all proper seminars, it is the task of the professor to guide and facilitate interaction among active and informed participants. Therefore, any lecture given would serve merely to lay the foundation for subsequent discussion. 40% of the course grade will be based on participation in weekly discussion, including demonstrated comprehension of the background readings assigned. The remainder of each session will be devoted to presentations and written reports by participants on the topics in the list below. Taken together, these assignments account for 60% of the overall course grade.

Required Texts:

Russell D. Howard and Reid L. Sawyer. Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Understanding the New Security Environment. McGraw-Hill, 2004.

Abbreviated [H & S] in Schedule.

Thomas J. Badey (ed.) Annual Editions: Homeland Security 04/05.

McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, 2004.

Abbreviated [B] in Schedule

Schedule of Meetings, Topics & Assigned Readings

13 January. Seminar Theme, Organization, Requirements & Assignments.

Syllabus.

20 January. Defining & Evaluating Terrorism.

[H & S] Chs. 1 & 2.

27 January. Terrorist Motives, Strategies & Organizations.

[H & S] Chs. 3 & 4.

3 February. Terrorist Tactics, Operations & Weapons.

[H & S] Chs. 5 & 6.

10 February. The Events of 9/11.

[H & S] Ch. 8 (Betts, Robbins)

17 February. Responding to 9/11: The Immediate Aftermath.

[H & S] Ch. 9 (Crenshaw, Norwitz)

24 February. Responding to 9/11: Foreign & Military Policy.

[H & S] Ch. 7. (Arend, Roberts); Ch. 8 (Posen, Bowen); Ch. 9 (de Wijk).

2 March. Responding to 9/11: The Intelligence Community.

[H & S] Ch. 7 (Hoffman); Ch. 8 (Shultz & Vogt); Ch. 9 (Betts).

[B] Unit 9.

9 March. Spring Break.

16 March. Responding to 9/11: The Federal Government & the Home Front.

[H & S] Ch. 7 (Donahue). [B] Units 2 & 6.

23 March. Responding to 9/11: The Department of Homeland Security.

[B] Units 1 & 3.

30 March. Responding to 9/11: Homeland Security & Civil Liberties.

[B] Unit 8.

6 April. Responding to 9/11: State & Local Government.

[B] Units 4 & 5.

13 April. Responding to 9/11: Assessing the Threat Today & Tomorrow.

[H & S] Ch. 9 (Rothkopf). [B] Units 7 & 10.

20 April. The War in Iraq: Part of the War on Terror?

Readings TBA.

Assignments:

During the semester each participant will undertake research and make presentations to the class on 4 of the weekly topics. Each participant is placed in a group: A, B or C. Each group is responsible for developing and communicating information to the class regarding the weekly topic, as designated below. Each member of a group will address specific aspects of the topic, as assigned. Each member is individually responsible for his or her respective aspect of the weekly topic. Therefore, while participants will be working in groups, each will be evaluated individually as they develop complementary aspects of the weekly topics.

Participants should identify and consult numerous and various sources of relevant and credible information pertaining to the aspect of the topic for which they are responsible. Types of such sources should include: books, edited volumes, articles in scholarly journals, news stories, journalistic accounts, film or television documentaries, government documents or reports, or other such sources as published or otherwise disseminated by reputable individuals, institutions & organizations.

The content of these sources should be summarized accurately and thoroughly in a format appropriate for distribution and presentation to all seminar participants. The purpose of the summaries is to identify, describe and assess the importance of the sources relative to the topic. The precise form of summary, distribution and presentation is left up to the individual participant. Possible formats include: book review essay, annotated bibliography, detailed outline with accompanying bibliography; PowerPoint presentation incorporating both content and bibliography, construction of a web page, or other appropriate methods. References to the sources should identify precisely and explicitly the person, organization or institution that has authored that material, & specify exactly where that material can be found. Each participant will be allotted approximately 15 minutes of the seminar period to distribute and present their summary to the group.

List of Research Topics & Assignments

27 January. Terrorist Motives, Strategies & Organizations. [Group A]

Psychology & Sociology of Terrorists

Structure & Dynamics of Terrorist Organizations

State-Sponsored Terrorism

Financing Terrorism

Recent Terrorist Attack on US Interests

Osama Bin Laden & Al Qaeda

"Homegrown"(Domestic) Terrorism

3 February. Terrorist Tactics, Operations & Weapons. [Group B]

Bombs & Explosives

Nuclear & Radiological Materials

Chemical Substances

Biological Agents

Cyberterrorism

10 February. The Events of 9/11. [Group C]

Chronology & Statistics

Domestic Media Coverage & Public Reaction

World Political & Public Reaction

Compensating the Victims & Their Families

Remembering 9/11.

17 February. Responding to 9/11: The Immediate Aftermath. [Group A]

Actions Taken by the President & the Executive Branch

Laws & Resolutions passed by Congress (USA Patriot Act & others)

Securing the Airspace, Borders & Other Points of Entry

Protecting Public & Private Infrastructure

The Role of the National Guard

Assessing & Repairing the Damage to New York City & the Pentagon

24 February. Responding to 9/11: Foreign & Military Policy. [Group B]

The Attack on & Invasion of Afghanistan

Military & Para-military Operations

Diplomatic Dimensions & the Role of Other Countries

Efforts to Rebuild the Afghan State & Society

Search for Osama Bin Laden & others

Diplomatic, Military & Intelligence Efforts in Other Countries & Regions

Disrupting Terrorist Finances

2 March. Responding to 9/11: The Intelligence Community. [Group C]

What exactly is the "Intelligence Community" & its Responsibilities?

Was there an "Intelligence Failure" regarding 9/11?

Hearings held & reports issued by Congress (Joint Inquiry Committee & Report)

"Human Intelligence" & US intelligence Capabilities, Strategies & Tactics

The Role of the FBI in US Intelligence Strategy

9 March. Spring Break.

16 March. Responding to 9/11: The Federal Government & the Home Front.

[Group A]

The Pre-9/11 System for Responding to Terrorism

The Role of the Cabinet Departments (DoA, DoE, DoJ, DoT)

The Role of Federal Agencies (CDC, EPA, FEMA, INS, IRS, USPS)

Interagency Program & Framework

The Kean Commission (& Report?)

23 March. Responding to 9/11: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

[Group B]

Creation of the Department of Homeland Security (Homeland Security Act)

Structure, Operation, Personnel & Budget of DHS (5 Directorates)

Homeland Security Advisory System

Other DHS Components & Programs (Terrorist Screening Center, US VISIT)

Congressional Oversight of DHS (House & Senate Committee Hearings & Reports)

30 March. Responding to 9/11: Homeland Security & Civil Liberties. [Group C]

DOJ/INS Arrest, Detention & Trial of Terrorist Suspects in the US

Illegal Combatants held at Camp X-Ray—Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

The (Possible) Use of Military Tribunals

The Role of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC)

The Role of the Military in Homeland Security

Current Cases & Recent Rulings in the Federal Courts

Interest Groups, Research Foundations & the Debate on Civil Liberties

6 April. Responding to 9/11: State & Local Government. [Group A]

[B] Units 4 & 5.

First Responders (EMT, Fire, Police)

Securing Public Spaces & Events

Protecting Infrastructure (Bridges, Dams, Water & Food Supplies, Power Plants)

Disaster Preparation & Simulation

Paying for Homeland Security at the State & Local Level

13 April. Responding to 9/11: Assessing the Threat Today & Tomorrow. [Group B]

[H & S] Ch. 9 (Rothkopf). [B] Units 7 & 10.

Airliners, Airlines & Airports

Borders & Points of Entry

Building Design & Construction

Infrastructure (Bridges, Dams, Water & Food Supplies, Power Plants)

The Insurance Industry

Security Training & Services Firms

20 April. The War in Iraq: Part of the War on Terror? [Group C]

The Bush Doctrine & National Security Strategy

The Rationale for Invading Iraq: WMD & Preemptive War

Military Operations

Diplomatic Dimensions

Domestic Political Issues & Electoral Dynamics

Economic & Political Reconstruction Efforts