Understanding Terrorism
Course Overview
Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260-4110
www.PsychologyofTerrorism.com
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Difficult Subject to ‘Teach’
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Emotionally ‘charged’ topic
• strongly conflicting points of view
• psychologically disturbing material
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Requires parallel instead of
linear information processing
Lacks adequate ‘answers’ to
important questions
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Course Approach
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Background lectures by professor
Extensive writing assignments for
thought focusing
Open discussion of selected topics
Introduction to the central issues
and to the methods of analysis
(“soft” psychology approach) rather
than a traditional academic course
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Course Objectives
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To develop an understanding of
and a sensitivity to the socialpolitical conditions that spawn
terrorism
To briefly examine terrorism in
a historic context
To identify the most serious
contemporary terrorist threats
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Course Objects
continued
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To examine the methods of
terrorism
To explore the psychological
processes that create a
terrorist
To examine the psychological
impact of terrorist activities
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Course Objectives
continued
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To encourage creative problemsolving to counter terrorism
To prepare
To survive
To Endure
the current terrorist threat to the United States
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Secondary Objectives
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Learn how to interact
effectively with people with
whom you disagree
Learn how to obtain the most
reliable information
Learn more about potential
terrorist weapons and response
preparedness
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Secondary Objectives
continued
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Learn how to listen to opposing
views more effectively
Develop better analytical skills
Develop better anger
management skills
Your opinion
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Classroom Behavior
and Beyond
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The usual rules of classroom
behavior are applicable
• arrive on-time & don’t leave early
• cell phones turned off and put away
• irrelevant books & papers put away
• raise your hand not your voice
• etc., etc., etc. (see online syllabus)

Some additional rules also
apply
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Ground Rules
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The professor “owns” the
classroom
• this is not a democratic process
• you want to run the show? then get your
own class (and maybe a Ph.D. first)
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Move on! (The discussion of this
topic is over.)
• time or temper may limit some discussions
• the “move on” command ends the topic
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Ground Rules
continued
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Las Vegas Rule (“What happens
here stays here.”)
• recording devices are prohibited
• no continuation of arguments outside
of classroom
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No place for political
correctness
• everyone will have an equal
opportunity to be offended
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Ground Rules
continued
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Classroom discussions are
discussions not student lectures
• you have limited time to make your
point — use it effectively
• listen attentively to other person’s
point of view — process the
information and be willing to change
(i.e., learn) from your new experience
• think before rebutting someone’s
position — keep the rebuttal logical
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Class Format
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Background lecture & material
Focus questions assigned for
most class periods
• professor’s introductory comments
• open discussion of focus questions
• professor’s summary & comments
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New focus questions assigned
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Course Requirements
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Considerable reading (and
thinking) on class topics
Short, twice-weekly essays
addressing assigned focus
questions
Annotated bibliography
Term paper
Regular class attendance
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Course Grade
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Attendance & focus essays (70%)
• two excused absences during
mandatory attendance period
• 29 January through 10 April
• 5% deduction per class period retroactive
• no excuses, no make-up, no credit
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Annotated bibliography (10%)
Term paper (20%)
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Focus Questions
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(70%)
Usually two questions for each
twice-weekly class period
Approximately 150-300 words per
question
Primarily thought stimulating, with
research & references optional
Typewritten single-spaced and
submitted as hardcopy
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Annotated Bibliography
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(10%)
15 to 20 articles
Typewritten with full
bibliographic information
Brief annotations
• 1/2 to 1 single-spaced page per
source (or longer as necessary)
• summary with brief critique & other
notes
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Term Paper
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(20%)
Typewritten APA style
Length 15-20 double-spaced pages
Referenced as appropriate
Scholarly standards consistent with
senior undergraduate seminar (i.e.,
the best work one can do after 4
years of university education)
Emphasis on logic and composition
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
“X-Rating”
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Terrorism is a nasty business
• terrorist tactics involve gruesome
acts of violence including killing,
injuring, & torturing their victims
• the topic cannot be seriously
addressed without examining
these behaviors in detail
• some material may be graphic and
disturbing, the language vulgar
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Course Units
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Overview of Terrorism
Historic Roots of Terrorism
• Brief history of terrorism
• Historic roots of modern terrorists
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Terrorist Weapons & Tactics
Terrorism and the Media:
Amplifying the Terrorists'
Impact (unwilling partners)
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Course Units
continued
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Information Sources: Discerning
Facts from Fiction
Psychological Impact of
Terrorism
Genesis of Terrorism
Understanding the Terrorist:
Any value in psychological
profiling?
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Course Units
continued
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National, Regional, and
Individual Preparedness for
Terrorist Attacks
Developing Effective CounterTerrorist Strategies
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Course Orientation
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Strongly Pro-American
• some discussions may criticize
• past and present American foreign or
domestic policies
• American counter-terrorism strategies
• but such self-examination is a critical
part of an open, democratic society
• in the final analysis, American security
interests are the top priority here
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
Focus Question Set #1
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What is terrorism?
What are the objectives of
terrorists?
• What is their ultimate goal?
• What are they trying to accomplish?
Remember that focus questions are “open source”
but acknowledge the source—avoid plagiarism!
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.
The course syllabus is available online at:
www.PsychologyofTerrorism.com/PsyTerror.html
Copyright 2005-2008 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D.