JUPS-402-01 Pol Violnc/Terrsm/rad mvts

Michael Loadenthal

“Terrorism,” a word rife with definitional dispute, is embedded within a process which labels some acts of political violence as "extremism," “insurgency,” or legitimate defense within the national interest. For the purpose of academic discussion, terrorism is a collection of strategic and tactical means, a ‘weapons system,’ utilizing diverse forms of violence understood to be legitimate or illegitimate depending on the positionality of the labeling entity. In order to untangle this definitional puzzle, the course will explore a number of modern political campaigns, which collectively examined constitute a range of political violence. Throughout this interdisciplinary examination, special attention will be paid to issues of gender roles, positionality, movement structure, “continuums of involvement,” online networking and outreach, communiqués and other forms of propaganda, and the connections between radical ideology and counter/anti-Statist praxis.

Through a combination of traditional lectures, experimental group activities, and in-class discussion, students will scrutinize terrorism as a discourse and tactical “tool set” utilized by States, quasi-States and non-State actors (NSAs) challenging State authority.
These questions will be addressed through an exploration of the case histories, ideologies, and strategies of NSAs including the Palestinians armed and non-violent movements, and in the US, the Animal/Earth Liberation Front, as well as neo-Nazi/white supremacist and anti-abortion movements.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Course syllabi
The following syllabi may help you learn more about this course (login required):

Spring '11: Loadenthal, M (description, file download)

Additional syllabi may be available in prior academic years.

Other academic years
There is information about this course number in other academic years:

• 2011-2012 Fall and Spring
• 2012-2013 Fall and Spring
• 2013-2014 Fall and Spring

More information
Look for this course in the schedule of classes.

The academic department web site for this program may provide other details about this course.