GVPT406: Global Terrorism

In the field of Political Science, there are no fewer than six subfields: American Political System, Legalism, Normative Theory, Methodology, International Relations, and Comparative Politics. The two introductory courses you may have taken gave broad brush strokes over all of these topics. This current course examines one specific aspect of world politics—that dealing with the causes and effects of terrorist activity.
The underlying purpose for this year’s course is to train you to be better terrorism researchers. This necessitates that you learn how to become better researchers. Some of you have taken the research methods sequence in the department. Some of you have not. If you have, think of this course as being a refresher and an extender. If you have not, think of this course as being an introduction to doing Political Science research.

Primary Text

The required book for this course:
  • Hoffman, Bruce. (2006) Inside Terrorism. Columbia University Press. (ISBN: 978-0-231-12699-1)
The required book is available from the bookstore and from neighboring bookstores. It will be used extensively in the class, so it would behoove you to get it. The Hoffman text will serve as our primary textbook. Additional readings will be assigned as necessary and will be available by link on WebTycho under “Course Content”.