CLASSROOM DISCUSSION POINTS FOR ISIS (IRAQ & SYRIA):
TEACHERS:
Have students answer the questions below based upon their viewing of the
film clips. They should draw evidence from the videos to support their
responses. 1. ISIS EMERGENCE & GOALS:
GOALS: This series of questions is designed to elicit a student’s knowledge
of the ISIS terrorist movement and its military efforts to establish an Islamic
Caliphate in Iraq and Syria.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS: The acronym “ISIS”
stands for Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham. This group is also known as
just the Islamic State and/or the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). It
seeks to establish a regional, conservative Islamic state (or Caliphate) in the
Middle East. Al-Qaeda is the global terrorist group that attacked the United
States on 9/11/2001, causing the loss of several thousand American lives.
FILM CLIPS: Under IRAQ & SYRIA: HOT TOPICS, have students watch the
following: (3:05)
• THE ISLAMIC STATE (ISIS) MILITANTS (:52)
• ISIS GOAL: ISLAMIC CALIPHATE (1:04)
• WHAT IS AN ISLAMIC CALIPHATE? (1:09)
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
- Is ISIS part of the same group as the al-Qaeda terrorists?
- What is the ultimate goal of ISIS?
- How is ISIS pursuing its goals and how does that differ from the
terrorism strategy employed by al-Qaeda?
2. THREATS AGAINST SOCIETY
GOALS: This series of questions is designed to assess student
understanding and thought about current events in Iraq and Syria, particularly
the growing and significant threat posed by ISIS terrorists in the Middle East.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS: ISIS has claimed the
establishment of an Islamic Caliphate in Iraq and Syria by systematically
taking over significant regions and towns through brutality and military force.
ISIS is an extreme, jihadist group that wishes to impose governance based on
Sharia (or Islamic) law.
FILM CLIPS: Under IRAQ & SYRIA: HOT TOPICS, have students watch the
following: (6:25)
• WHY ISIS IS SO DANGEROUS (1:10)
• ISIS PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS (1:22)
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•
•
DESECRATION OF RELIGIOUS SITES (:57)
TOWNS UNDER SHARIA LAW (1:36)
ISIS BRUTALITY (1:20)
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
- What makes ISIS the most powerful and dangerous group currently
terrorizing the Middle East?
- How has ISIS persecuted both Christians and Shia Muslims in and
near Mosul, Iraq?
- How is ISIS governing and imposing its religious standards on citizens
in the Iraqi and Syrian cities it has invaded?
- Describe the brutal tactics employed by the ISIS terrorist movement.
3. HISTORY OF CRISIS:
GOAL: This series of questions is designed to encourage students to explore
the implications of military history and recent events that have caused total
instability in both Iraq and Syria.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS: In 2003, a US-led
international coalition toppled strongman Saddam Hussein in Iraq and later
crushed al-Qaeda insurgencies before withdrawing in 2011. Iraqi Kurdish
populations live in a somewhat autonomous region in the northern part of the
country. The Kurds have long desired independence.
In Syria, “Arab Spring” citizen protests in 2011 escalated into a full-fledged,
violent civil war that has raged on without resolution against the brutal Assad
regime. In recent years, extremist groups such as ISIS have also waged war
in the streets of Syria.
FILM CLIPS: Under IRAQ & SYRIA : HOT TOPICS, have students watch the
following: (6:02)
• INSTABILITY AFTER U.S. WITHDRAWAL (2010-2014) (1:25)
• ISIS INVADES IRAQI CITIES (2014) (1:42)
• THE KURDS DEFEND KIRKUK (1:44)
• ISIS ATTACKS ON ASSAD REGIME (July 2014) (1:11)
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
- What two things happened after the United States and international
troops withdrew from Iraq in 2011?
- Describe how ISIS was able to undermine security in Iraq.
- Why is Kirkuk a strategically important Iraqi city? Who is protecting it
from ISIS and why?
- Is ISIS involved in the rebellion against the Assad regime in Syria?
How?
4. GEO-POLITICAL & GLOBAL CONCERNS:
GOAL: This series of questions is designed to promote analysis and critical
thinking about the impact insurgencies in the Middle East have on countries in
the region and around the globe.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS: Terrorism and Islamic
extremists have long concerned Western and moderate countries around the
world, especially since the tragic consequences of 9/11. While the United
States considers Iran to be a state sponsor of terrorism, Iran also feels ISIS is
a threat to its Shia-dominated Islamic state and is currently helping Iraq battle
the extremists.
FILM CLIPS: Under IRAQ & SYRIA: HOT TOPICS, have students watch the
following: (6:46)
• IRAN’S DEFENSE AGAINST ISIS (1:24)
• U.S. REACTION TO ISIS CRISIS (1:13)
• U.S. AIR STRIKES & HUMANITARIAN AID (AUG. 2014) (1:13)
• ISIS THREAT TO THE WEST (1:53)
• U.S. POLICY & IMPACT OF ISIS (1:03)
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
- How and why is Iran helping Iraq fight the ISIS terrorists?
- How do you think Iranian and Russian involvement in Iraq might
complicate the U.S. response to the ISIS threat in the Mid East?
- Describe how ISIS could be a threat to the U.S. homeland.
- What action is the U.S. government taking in response to the ISIS
militants and the humanitarian crisis it has caused in Iraq?
- Why do you think the U.S. has been hesitant to get involved in the
Syrian rebellion?