COMMUNICATION 577
Cultural Communication of Terrorism
Fall 2014
Syllabus (draft)
Instructor: Cecile W. Garmon
cecile.garmon@wku.edu
196 FAC or 244 TPH
270 745 6673
Class Goals
This course focuses on the communication behaviors of terrorist groups, particularly directed
toward the ways in which culture impacts those communication behaviors.
The coursework will concentrate on culture and how it informs communication behavior in the
context of groups which exist through and promote terrorist purposes. The course incorporates
aspects of student self-directed learning and group work and uses information and concepts
collected through multiple sources. Students should immediately begin to identify sources of
learning in addition to the standard written works and utilize them in their writing and thinking.
They will also want very quickly to set personal learning and application goals that they intend to
achieve during this course.
The class activities will promote critical thinking processes among the students and instructor.
We will consider some materials which may seem controversial, and part of our learning
experience will include practice in assessing information critically in order to arrive at conclusions
justified by the best information available and through discussions with other members of the
class.
Another goal for this class consists in providing students the opportunities to practice their own
writing skills in an academic setting while using applicative and theoretical information and data.
Please use APA Stylesheet, sixth edition, for all written work submitted. If you have not used this
stylesheet, ask questions and get familiar with the guidelines. Also, check the Course Information
section of our BlackBoard for specific writing instructions and guidelines. All students will follow
the guidelines that appear in Course Information and submit all written work through SafeAssign.
The instructor intends that every activity lead toward student mastery or improvement of the
following specific learning goals:
1. Understanding the role of culture-general in interpersonal and group communication,
specifically in the context of terrorist communication;
2. Understanding the role of co-cultures (sub-cultures) in the practices of communication;
3. Recognizing the importance of cultural influence on communication in the context of
terrorism and ways to use that knowledge to assess various qualities and overall validity of
those patterns.
To accomplish these goals, please focus on the following objectives:
1.
Recognize that terrorism is communication; that terrorism communication strategies
depend on cultural context; that terrorists exist as a part of the society they attack.
2. Develop critical analysis skills for addressing terroristic communication.
3. Understand that terrorist groups belong to co-cultures (sub-cultures) within the larger
culture.
4. Enhance written and oral academic communication skills in presenting ideas and
conclusions.
Please keep these goals and objectives in mind as you proceed through the various assignments
and activities in the course and openly share your ideas and reactions to these activities in relation
to reaching your own goals and objectives.
TEXT and RECOMMENDED SOURCES:
The required text:
Tuman, J. S. (2010). Communicating terror: The rhetorical dimensions of terrorism (2nd ed.).
Thousand Oaks, CA.: Sage.
Additional recommended sources include:
Bennett, M. J. (1988). Basic concepts of intercultural communication. Yarmouth, ME.: Intercultural Press.
Boltz, Jr., F, Dudonis, J. K., Shultz, D. P. (1990). The counter-terrorism handbook. New York:
Elsevier.
Engendorf, L. (ed.). (2000). Terrorism: Opposing viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven.
Gannon, M. J. (2013). Understanding global cultures: Metaphorical journeys through 31
nations, clusters of nations, continents, and diversity. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Hall, E. T. (1976). Beyond culture. New York: Doubleday.
Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and
organizations across nations. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Hofstede, G. (1977). Culture and organizations: Software of the mind. New York: McGraw
Hill.
Kets de Vries, F. R. (2004). Lessons on leadership by terror: Finding Shaka Zulu in the attic.
Bodmin, Cornwall, England: MPG Books.
Martin, G. (2011). Essentials of terrorism: Concepts and controversies (2nd ed.). Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage.
Matusitz, J. (2013). Terrorism and communication: A critical introduction. Thousand Oaks,
CA: Sage.
Pojman, L. P. (2006). Terrorism, human rights, and the case for world government. New York:
Rowman & Littlefield.
CLASS MEETING TIMES:
Tuesdays, 5-7:45 pm, FAC 140
TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS:
Weeks
Topics
Chapters (Tuman)
1,2 (8/26, 9/2)
Defining/ Communication of
1,2
Terrorism
3,4,5 (9/9, 16, 23)
Rhetorical and Social
3
Dimensions of Terrorism
6,7
(9/30, 10/7)
Symbols: Means, Implements, Targets
4, 5
8, 9
(10/14, 21)
Oratory; Propaganda
6, 7
Theories of Mass Media
8
10, 11 (10/28, 11/4)
12, 13 (11/11, 11/18)
Terrorism from Above
14
(12/2)
Terrorism from Below, Agenda Setting
15
(12/9)
Conclusions, Reports
9
9
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Written Assignments
All written assignments MUST submit through SafeAssign in our BlackBoard site.
DO NOT send written assignments to the instructor via email attachment.
First short written assignment: (Due 9/4). A three-four page paper based on your readings and
understandings of the topic “How the context of terrorism impacts communication.” Include a
reference page in addition to the text; use APA (6th edition); follow writing guidelines (attached to
this syllabus or also available on BB under Course Documents). Counts 10% of course grade.
Second short written assignment: (Due 9/28) A four-five page paper based on your readings and
understandings of the use of symbols and rhetoric to define or describe terrorism. (Counts
10%).
Third short written assignment. (Due 10/19). A four-five page paper based on your readings and
understandings of communication theory as applied to terrorism efforts. (Counts 10%).
Term Research Project/Paper. (Due 12/5). A 15-20 page paper on a topic of your choice related
to the role of culture on the communication of terrorist messages. Please consult with me by 11/1
on your topic to get my approval and suggestions. Follow usual guidelines. (Counts 25%)
Oral Reports/Presentations
Students will present oral reports and presentations to the class during regular class sessions.
Time for each presentation will vary depending on assignment. Students may utilize visual
support for these reports.
Oral reports on application of theory to student’s target terrorist group(s) (ttg’s). We will discuss
these reports and assign due dates in class during the semester. 3 @ 5%. (Counts 15%)
Leading discussion on class topic and contributing to assigned topic. (Counts 10%)
Application of cultural communication to target terrorist groups (ttg’s). End of semester report
to class. (Counts 20%)
Grading
Short papers
3@10%
30%
Term paper
1@25%
25%
Oral reports
3@5%
15%
Class discussion
10%
Application Presentation
20%
_____
100%
WRITING INFORMATION/GUIDELINES
Written communication follows patterns designed to meet specific needs or achieve
definite goals. Academic writing fits such criteria; its rules and regulations reflect
attempts to meet the needs of the readers for clarity, brevity, significant content,
explanation, and contemplation. Academic writing differs from other types, such as
creative, journalistic, etc., because the communicator intends to share information or
ideas with the readers. These ideas extend concepts based on research data of various
types or original thoughts which propose theoretical bases previously unknown.
Creativity in academic prose comes from the content and analysis rather than from
new and novel means of expression.
When you write academically, please remember that the primary purpose of the
exercise provides the reader with new information or new approaches to
understanding existing information. In this class I will ask you to follow these rules in
the essays which you submit for credit.
1. Follow traditional grammar rules, i.e., subject-verb agreement, noun-pronoun
agreement, no introductory relative pronouns, etc.
2. Create paragraphs which focus on a single topic, usually introduced in the first
sentence. Every paragraph must have at least three sentences and should not run too
long (a relative point but very important). For example, a single paragraph should
rarely extend to an entire page.
3. Eliminate all forms of the verb "to be" from your writing (is, am, are, was, were,
be, been, being). This precludes use of passive voice and forces the writer to use a
direct style for expressing facts or opinions.
4. Develop a general introduction to the paper, introduce the various points you wish
to make through the succeeding paragraphs, and finally, compose a closing section
that summarizes your content and brings the reader to a feeling of satisfaction with
the organization and content.
5. Remember that your purpose always lies attempting to present your ideas, facts,
etc., to the reader (the instructor) in a clear, cogent, and convincing manner.
Therefore, avoid overuse of stringing prepositional phrases, too many perfect tense
verbs, distracting phrasing, etc. Never use the second person (you) in an essay, unless
it comes in a direct quotation.
6. Follow APA style in writing (exceptions require personal discussion with the
instructor). If you do not know the APA style, find a manual and follow it exactly in
every situation.
7. Study word selection carefully. Choose precise words which will indicate/clarify
your intended message. Take care with affect/effect and other such troublesome
words. Always use a thesaurus when you write.
Painful as these rules may seem, following them will greatly improve your writing
skills.