CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
SYLLABUS FOR HMSY 1342
UNDERSTANDING AND COMBATING TERRORISM
Semester Hours Credit: 3
INSTRUCTOR: _____________________
OFFICE HOURS: ____________________
I.
II.
INTRODUCTION
A.
This course is a study of terrorism and reasons why America is a terrorist target.
Includes methods of combating domestic and international terrorism terrorist
operations, cyber-terrorism, narco-terrorism, the mind of the terrorist, and
organized crime’s impact on terrorism.
B.
This course is a required course in the Homeland Security—Emergency
Management Degree Plan.
C.
This course is occupationally related and serves a preparation for careers in
Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, Understanding and Combating Terrorism, the
student will:
A.
Define Terrorism and its purpose. (C5 - C7, F1, F2, F6)
B.
Understand terrorism from a historical and motivational perspective (C5 - C7, F1,
F2, F6)
C.
Identify terrorist groups and their political agendas. (C5-C7, F1, F2, F5,
F6)
D.
Explain the psychology of hostage taking and hostage survival techniques. (C5,
C6, C7, F1, F2, F7, F9, F10).
E.
Describe the counter terrorist measures. (C5 - C7, C9, C12, C13, F1, F2, F5, F7 F10, F12).
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III.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A.
B.
IV.
The instructional materials identified for this course are viewable through
www.ctcd.edu/books
References: As recommended by the instructor.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A.
Class preparation:
Students are required to prepare for class in advance according to the schedule
presented in the syllabus. Students should read about the next lesson and come to
class ready to enhance that knowledge. In-class time should be spent with the
instructor to get as much help and to ask as many questions as possible pertaining
to the lesson that was already prepared for at home. Students should ask the
instructor questions in class, before or after class, during office hours, or by
making an appointment. Students are also strongly encouraged to E-mail the
instructor if time is of the essence.
B.
Reading Assignments:
Students are required to read the assigned lessons from the text book. There will
be a written quiz on each lesson. Vocabulary from each lesson will be used in oral
conversation during the class following the assignment.
C.
Homework:
Will be assigned on a regular basis and students are expected to complete it in a
timely fashion. The instructor is under no obligation to accept overdue homework
assignments.
D.
Everything submitted to your instructor is graded accordingly and therefore
contributes in the outcome of your final grade.
E.
Class Performance:
If a class is missed, it is students’ responsibility to obtain the information missed
during the class. The teacher will not repeat instructions or lessons for the classes
the student misses. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to take
an exam early if he or she will not be able to attend class on one of those days.
Failure to notify the instructor will result in a grade of zero on that test/quiz.
There are no make-up quizzes.
F.
Class Participation:
The percentage of students grades are based on attendance and participation. The
student will practice conversation with a partner during part of each class and will
be graded on the effort put into these exercises.
G.
Good class notes are indispensable for earning a good grade since both the
material assigned and discussed will be the basis for examination material.
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V.
VI.
EXAMINATIONS
A.
There will be at least two exams for this course.
B.
A student must be present for all examinations. No make-up examinations will be
given. Students who know in advance they will be absent from an examination
due to valid reasons, must arrange to take an early examination if allowed by the
instructor. Unexpected absences due to illness or extenuating circumstances
require the student to see the instructor about individual make-up work in lieu of
the missed examination. One exam maximum per semester may be allowed to be
made due to valid reasons.
C.
Students without excused absences will be given a zero for the examination
missed. Quizzes will not be allowed to be made up under any circumstances.
SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
A.
Your course grade is determined by your performance on assignments,
projects, and exams.
B.
The possible grades for this course are A, B, C, D, or F. In order to receive
transferable for this course, a grade of C or above must be earned. As a rule, D's
will not transfer to other colleges. Grading criteria will be based on the
http://www.ctcd.cc.tx.us/grades.htm:
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Percent
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
0-59%
Points
900-1000
800-899
700-799
600-699
below
VII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE INSTRUCTOR
A.
Course Withdrawal: There are occasions when it may be necessary to drop a
course. In order to be officially withdrawn from the course, a student must obtain
and complete a withdrawal form and have it signed thereon. The student's
transcript will show "W" or "F", depending on whether the student is passing or
failing in his/her course at the time of withdrawal.
Friday of 3rd week for
Friday of 4th week for
Friday of 6th week for
Friday of 7th week for
Friday of 9th week for
Friday of 12th week for
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5-week courses
6-week courses
8-week courses
10-week courses
12-week courses
16-week courses
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The equivalent date (75% of the semester) will be used for sessions of other
lengths. The specific last day to withdraw is published each semester in the
Schedule Bulletin.
Students who officially withdraw will be awarded the grade of "W", provided the
student's attendance and academic performance are satisfactory at the time of
official withdrawal. Students must file a withdrawal application with the college
before they may be considered for withdrawal.
A student may not withdraw from a class for which the instructor has previously
issued the student a grade of "F" or "FN" for nonattendance.
B.
An Administrative Withdrawal: An administrative withdrawal may be initiated
when the student fails to meet College attendance requirements. The instructor
will assign the appropriate grade on the Administrative Withdrawal Form for
submission to the registrar.
C.
An Incomplete Grade: The College catalog states, "An incomplete grade may be
given in those cases where the student has completed the majority of the course
work but, because of personal illness, death in the immediate family, or military
orders, the student is unable to complete the requirements for a course..." Prior
approval from the instructor is required before the grade of "I" is recorded. A
student who merely fails to show for the final examination will receive a zero for
the final and an "F" for the course.
D.
Cellular Phones and Beepers: Cellular phones and beepers will be turned off
while the student is in the classroom or laboratory.
E.
American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA): Disability Support Services provides
services to students who have appropriate documentation of a disability. Students
requiring accommodations for class are responsible for contacting the Office of
Disability Support Services (DSS) located on the central campus. This service is
available to all students, regardless of location. Explore the website at
www.ctcd.edu/disability-support
for further information. Reasonable
accommodations will be given in accordance with the federal and state laws
through the DSS office.
F.
Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course
requirements.
G.
Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive
educational experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning
environment. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including
expulsion.
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VIII. COURSE OUTLINE:
A.
B.
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Unit One: Concepts of Terror and Terrorism
1.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student
will be able to:
a.
Explore the definitional problems and terrorism
b.
Discuss the morality of Terrorism
b.
Review several typologies and atrocities of terrorism
c.
Discuss the purposes of terrorism
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussion (C5, C9, F15)
b.
Reading assignments. (F1, C1)
3.
Lesson Outline:
a.
Definitional problems and terrorism
b.
Morality of terrorism
c.
Definitions of terrorism
d.
Terrorist typologies
e.
Terrorist atrocities
f.
Purpose of Terrorism
Unit Two: Historical Antecedents of Terrorism and Violence
1.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student
will be able to:
a.
Identify historical trends of violence and terrorism.
b.
Trace the relationship between ancient and modern terrorist
groups.
c.
Explore the difference between anarchism and terrorism.
d.
Survey the historical evidence of violence and terrorism in the
United States.
e.
Develop an insight into the relationship between American value
orientation and pervasive violence.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussions (C9, C5)
b.
Reading Assignment (F1)
3.
Lesson Outline:
a.
Sicarii and Zealots
b.
The assassins and other secret societies
c.
Narodnaya Volya
d.
The anarchist tradition
e.
Terrorism in the United States
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f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
C.
D.
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Puerto Rican Independence
The Jewish Defense League
The Ideological Left
The Ideological Right
Single-issue terrorist
Unit Three: Violence and Terrorism: The Role of the Mass Media
1.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student
will be able to:
a.
Explore the relationship between television and the escalation of
violence in American society.
b.
Analyze nature of contagion theory.
c.
Outline historical trends of skyjacking.
d.
Detail the uses of propaganda by terrorist groups.
e.
Interpret the use of a hunger strike as a media attention strategy
f.
Recognize the insidious nature of censorship.
g.
Evaluate law enforcement and media relations.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussions (C9, C5)
b.
Reading Assignment (F1)
3.
Lesson Outline:
a.
Contagion theory or the copycat syndrome
b.
Propaganda value and the “Deed”
c.
United States
d.
Internet and Terrorism
e.
Censorship and terrorism
Unit Four: The Palestine Question and Al Qaeda
1.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student
will be able to:
a.
Trace the historical antecedents of the Arab—Israeli Conflict.
b.
Identify extremist groups affiliated with the PLO.
c.
Compare and contrast the Palestine question and Al Qaeda.
d.
Discuss the Zionist Movement.
e.
Explore the escalation of terrorism in democracies.
f.
Speculate as to the nature of terrorism in the twenty-first century.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussions (C9, C5)
b.
Reading Assignment (F1)
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3.
E.
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Lesson Outline:
a.
Palestine resistance movement
b.
Historical antecedents
c.
Palestine liberation organization
d.
Palestinian extremism and the 1973 Yom Kippur War
e.
Rejectionist front: Historical preview
f.
Invasion of Lebanon
g.
Hizballah
h.
Palestinian authority
i.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad
j.
Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades
k.
Al Qaeda
Unit Five: Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations: The “A List”
1.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student
will be able to:
a.
Identify foreign terrorist organizations (FTO’s) that pose a threat to
the United States and its allies.
b.
Understand the objectives of Islamic terrorist groups.
c.
Review the political ideologies of designated FTOs.
d.
Describe the influence of al Qaeda on the objectives of the
designated FTOs.
e.
Discuss the criteria for selection as an FTO.
f.
Compare and contrast national/separatist FTOs and Islamic
fundamentalist FTOs.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussions (C9, C5)
b.
Reading Assignment (F1)
3.
Lesson Outline:
a.
Palestinian groups
b.
The Philippines and Southeast Asia
c.
Algerian Groups
d.
Religious Cults
e.
European Groups
f.
Colombia
g.
Peru
h.
Central Asia
i.
Iran
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F.
G.
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Unit Six: The Dynamics of Hostage Taking and Negotiation
1.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student
will be able to:
a.
Sketch the historical precedents of hostage taking.
b.
Describe at least three categories of hostage takers.
c.
Explain the Stockholm Syndrome
e.
Recognize the need for hostage guidelines.
f.
Review hostage survival strategies.
g.
Trace the historical experience of U.S. hostage-taking rescue
attempts.
h.
Describe the Good Guys hostage-taking incident.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussions (C9, C5)
b.
Reading Assignment (F1)
3.
Lesson Outline:
a.
Early history of hostage taking
b.
Typologies of hostage takers
c.
Time, Trust, and the Stockholm Syndrome
d.
London Syndrome
e.
Guidelines for hostage events
f.
U.S. experience: hostage rescue
g.
The Good Guys hostage incident
h.
Other rescue attempts
i.
Surviving a hostage situation
Unit Seven: Contemporary Terrorism and Bombing
1.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student
will be able to:
a.
Identify the effects of an explosion.
b.
Explore the historical antecedents of explosive materials.
c.
Distinguish between low – and high-velocity explosives.
d.
Describe the phases of blast / pressure.
e.
Examine several vehicle bomb attack methods.
f.
Outline a law enforcement strategy to cope with vehicle bombs.
g.
Explore incidence of aircraft bombings.
h.
Develop a security program to prevent injuries due to mail bombs.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussions (C9, C5)
b.
Reading Assignment (F1)
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3.
H.
I.
Unit Eight: Suicide Bombers: A Global Problem
1.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student
will be able to:
a.
Explore the nature of suicide bombing
b.
Describe the motivation of suicide bombers.
c.
Identify terrorist groups involved in suicide bombings.
d.
Understand the complexity of suicide.
e.
Develop strategies to interdict suicide bombings.
f.
Speculate as to the future of suicide bombing attacks.
2.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussions (C9, C5)
b.
Reading Assignment (F1)
3.
Lesson Outline:
a.
Defining the problem
b.
Suicide bombers in the Mideast
c.
The Iraqi Insurgency
d.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
e.
Sikh terrorism
f.
Kashmiri suicide bombers
g.
Kurdish suicide bombers: The PKK
h.
Al Qaeda
i.
Chechen suicide bombers
j.
Other suicidal terrorist groups
k.
Security and Suicide Bombing
Unit Nine: Counterterrorist Measures: The Response
1.
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Lesson Outline:
a.
Historical perspective
b.
Effects of an explosion
c.
Velocity and Explosives
d.
Vehicle bombs
e.
Letter bombs
f.
Bombings aboard aircraft
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student
will be able to:
a.
Understand the major trends in counterterrorist tactics that may
have an impact on future policy decisions.
b.
Differentiate between reactive and proactive counterterrorist
strategies.
c.
Identify steps in the intelligence-gathering process.
d.
Describe the difficulties in the application of covert operations.
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e.
2.
3.
J.
Explain the need for a legal framework that increases the
opportunity of prosecution of terrorists.
f.
Discuss the various strategies for defeating the spread of terrorism,
such as the USA Patriot Ace (2001).
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussions (C9, C5)
b.
Reading Assignment (F1)
Lesson Outline:
a.
Security measures
b.
Intelligence function
c.
Counterterrorist operations: retaliation and preemption
d.
Covert military operations: Proactive measures
e.
Counterterrorist operations: Reactive measures
f.
Special Operations
g.
United Kingdom and Israel
h.
National Guard
i.
HRT and Nest
j.
Chemical and biological terrorism
h.
Legal framework: apprehension, prosecution, and punishment
i.
Emergency Powers
j.
Post – 9/11 Measures
Unit Ten: Future of Terrorism
1.
2.
3.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student
will be able to:
a.
Reexamine the Palestine question.
b.
Explore the growth of Islamic fundamentalism.
c.
Discuss the theory of state-sponsored terrorism.
d.
Describe low-intensity warfare.
e.
Evaluate the influence of terrorism on the quality of life in the
United States.
f.
Estimate the future of terrorism and political violence.
Learning Activities:
a.
Classroom lecture/discussions (C9, C5)
b.
Reading Assignment (F1)
Lesson Outline:
a.
Israel versus Palestinian resistance movement
b.
Islamic extremism
c.
Low-Intensity warfare
d.
Superterrorism
e.
Influence of Terrorism on democracy
Other time blocks not specifically allocated above are spent with introductory topics,
administrative matters, exams, and review classes (both before and after exams).
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