Aart Holtslag, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Political Science Department
University of Massachusetts, Lowell
 


Politics of Terrorism
Since 11 September 2001 the issue of terrorism has become the main issue for many Americans in International Relations.  Terrorism, including international terrorism, however, has been around much longer than Al-Queda.  The latest attacks on the United States, Spain, and London are also only a few in a much larger number of terrorist activities.  Terrorism is a fact in international relations.  It is the task of political scientists to analyze the actions and processes surrounding these facts.  This means looking at the causes, the reactions, the actors, and the laws surrounding the phenomena.  Students who take this seminar will read and discuss books and articles that will address the history of terrorism as well as the political aspects of terrorism in all its facets. 

 

Click here for the course syllabus

Seminar

Seminars have the advantage that they consist of small students which allows for direct and close contact between students and the instructor.  Students and instructor can go much deeper into the material and the learning can be geared more towards the individual students needs.  On the other hand, seminars also carry more responsibilities for the students.  This means that students are expected to have read the often substantial reading materials and be ready to discuss this material extensively and in depth with their fellow students and the instructor. 

 

When students do not take their responsibilities seriously, the learning outcome will be rapidly diminishing and the seminar will stay on a superficial level.  As such students will learn less and earn lower grades.

 

 

Research Paper

Furthermore, students will have to write a substantial research paper.  This paper will be based on their own original research.  Students will have to make use of articles and books (and as few internet sources as possible) to write an academic paper. In the paper students should show an understanding of an aspect of the material discussed in class, a capability to apply concepts and definitions learned, and the ability to work critically with the material.

Research Links

Alternative Resources on “the US War on Terrorism”

Federation of American Scientists –Terrorism Resources

National Lawyers Guild Terrorism Resources 

United States Institute for Peace Terrorism links 

UMass Amherst Terrorism Research Guide

University of Michigan Government Document System – Counter Terrorism