The rebel, in the etymological sense, does a complete turnabout.
He acted under the lash of his master's whip. Suddenly he turns
and faces him. He opposes what is preferable to what is not.
Not every value entails a rebellion, but every act of rebellion tacitly
invokes a value. . . .
Terror is the homage that the malignant recluse finally pays to
the brotherhood of man.
Albert Camus, The Rebel
Political Science 480
Special Topics: Revolution and Terrorism
Class Period T&Th 2-3:15
Dr. Peter Petrakis
Classroom: 239 Fayard
Fayard 355D
Office Hours: MWF 12-1, MW 2-3:30
Phone: 985 549-3465
T&Th 12-2
e-mail ppetrakis@selu.edu
Course Description:
September 11, 2001, is a day, to paraphrase FDR, that will live in infamy. Indeed, 9/11 was more
atrocious, more heinous, than the attack on Pearl Harbor. Unlike the surprise attack by the Japanese upon
the U.S. navy, the targets in 2001 were civilians, primarily, and the goals were more social and political
rather than military objectives. The conflict between the Japanese Empire and the United States at midcentury centered around economic and cultural conflicts as well, but the contemporary blurring of
international and domestic lines is more pronounced. It would have been inconceivable in the 1940s to
inaugurate a conflict by attacking civilians in the manner of 9/11. It is not hyperbolic, then, to put 9/11 on
par with December 7th in that a new day dawned; the political paradigm has been altered. It is too early to
comprehend how far reaching, how profound, will be the consequences (and in the long run it may not be
as monumental as was the U.S. entrance in the second world war). But there is no denying that there is a
collective force of highly committed individuals working to bring about a clash of cultures. And even
though what the phrase “war on terrorism” is difficult to define and the enemy is elusive, the truth of the
situation is palpable—the war, if that is what we are to call it, is far from over. Future terror attacks against
the U.S. are inevitable.
Every terrorist is a revolutionary. Yet we, as Americans, would vociferously deny that every revolutionary
is a terrorist. The key, perhaps, is the means by which the revolutionary project is carried out. Are
civilians deliberately targeted? This seeming quite sensible distinction might differentiate “legitimate”
revolutionaries and “terrorists.” Civilians, however, have been targeted in many conflicts. Indeed, a
characteristic of modern warfare is the realization that the military cannot operate without a civilian, a
social, foundation. Historians can debate the “beginning” of modern warfare but the point, for our
purposes, is moot. Collateral damage is a polite phrase; nonetheless, it expresses the reality that the death
of civilians is a fact of modern combat.
This course is an examination of revolution and terrorism. Traditionally, terrorism has been a sub-category
of revolution. Terrorism was perceived as a means, and normally not a terribly effective one, for producing
political change. In the wake of September 11th, some scholars are reconsidering the relationship between
revolution and terror. This is one of the topics to be explored but be forewarned—September 11th and its
aftermath are not the sole focus of this course. Indeed, the aim to provide a comprehensive view of
revolution and terror.
Course Objectives are as follows: 1) explore the theories and causes of revolution and terrorism; 2) gain
analytical and critical clarity on the inter-relationship of revolution and terrorism; 3) examine specific
cases of revolution and/or attempts at political change via terrorism; 4) and enhance student writing and
research skills.
Required Books: The following books are required:
 States and Social Revolutions, Theda Skocpol, (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1979), ISBN 0
521 294991
 Inside Terrorism, B. Hoffman, (New York: Columbia University Press, 1998), ISBN 0 231-11469-9
Note: additional reading assignments will be required. Students must acquire, electronically or via
photocopying shorter reading selections.
Course Requirements: The five major requirements are as follows:
Skocpol Book Review
Mid Term
Hoffman Book Review
Class participation and Research Presentation
Research Paper
Final Exam
20%
10%
20%
8% (2% is class participation)
30%
12%
Format and Assessment:
1) Academic Book Reviews are to be four to five pages in length. The specific format will be
discussed in class. In addition to the reviews, class discussion impacts participation.
2) Mid and Final Exams will be essay exams. The are to reflect class discussion, guest lectures
and additional readings.
3) Research Paper assignment is to be a 12-15 page paper on a selected topic. Generally, the
papers are to be a case study of particular situations. Acceptable topics will be discussed in
class.
4) Research presentations are to be in-class presentations to the class on the student's selected
topic. Presentations should be 10-15 minutes in length. Time for questions and discussion
will be provided.
Grade Scale: a ten point grading scale is utilized.
A = 100 - 90
B = 89 - 80
C = 79 - 70
D = 69 - 60
F = 60 and below
Course Policies
Attendance: Students are expected to follow the attendance policy as stated in the 2002-2003 General
SLU Catalogue (p. 59): “Class attendance is regarded as an obligation as well as a privilege, and all
students are expected to attend regularly and punctually all classes in which they are enrolled. Failure to do
so may jeopardize a student’s scholastic standing and may lead to suspension from the college or university
. . . . A student shall submit excuses for all class absences . . . within three class days after the student
returns to his respective class . . . . Any student that receives unexcused absences (ten percent of the total
classes) in any class, the instructor may recommend to the student’s academic dean that he be withdrawn
from the rolls of that class and given an appropriate grade.” Unfortunately, experience has taught that I
must make additional comments. Although I seldom draw attention to students who attend late, habitual
tardiness will not be tolerated. Furthermore, extreme tardiness defeats the purpose of attendance and is
disruptive. If you are more than 10 minutes late, do not bother attending. Also, if you must leave the class
prior to the scheduled time, you should contact me prior to class. If there is an emergency and you must
excuse yourself please, by all means, do so. But when you return, contact me and explain the situation. In
short, students will not be permitted to simply come and go at their pleasure.
It is the responsibility of the student to obtain class notes missed due to absences—legitimate or
otherwise—from other students in the class. Lectures will not be repeated. Warning: any student arriving
late to an examination, especially if someone has completed the exam, will not be allowed to take that
exam. Furthermore, such lapses will not be counted as a legitimate excuse for a make-up.
This course is registered on Blackboard and as such students should access important information
by going to www.roomie.selu.edu. The syllabus, announcements and grades will be posted on Blackboard.
Make-up exams: All make-up exams will be given during the final examination. There will be no
exceptions. Do not expect make-up exams to be identical in form or content to original examinations. For
example, make-ups may be fill in the blank, short answer, or essay exams. In addition, do not expect to
automatically be granted a make-up, only acceptable excuses (medical, legitimate extra-curricular, etc.) are
guaranteed.
Special Needs: Any student that requires special attention due to a real necessity, such as a learning,
hearing, seeing, or movement impediment, should advise the instructor immediately. Appropriate
measures will be taken. SLU is committed to compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, but
students are required to self-identify with the Office of Student Life, Room 203, Student Union.
Attention: Students are responsible for reading, understanding, and keeping this syllabus. It is an
important document that clearly details both students’ and instructor's responsibilities. If you lose this
syllabus, come see me and get another one. It is an important document. I will pass around a syllabus
receipt form where you will sign that you indeed received a copy of your syllabus.
Additionally, do not burden the department with minor complaints! I am available to discuss tests,
grades, or more specific problems. If I am not on campus, simply leave a message in the department (5492109) and I will contact you promptly. Repeat, do not complain to the department until you have
exhausted your options with me—penalties will be imposed for inattention to this warning!
Important Dates and Information
 Monday, August 26
 Monday, September 2
 Friday, October 25
 Thursday & Friday, Nov. 28/29
 Friday, December 6
 Wednesday, Dec. 11 @12-2:30
First day of classes
Labor Day Holiday - no classes
Last day to drop or withdraw
Thanksgiving Holidays
Last day of classes
Final Exam
Class rosters will be distributed very early in the term. All non-paying students will be omitted from class
rolls on this date. These rolls are important in that no student will be allowed to remain in a class if their
names do not appear on the official class roster.