Topics in Sociology: Terrorism

Fall '02 -- Dr. Jackie Eller and Terri Terrell (Graduate Assistant)

LINKS
Christian Science Monitor Combatting terrorism, daily update
New Yorker
After 9/11 Social Science Perspectives
Terrorism: an interdisciplinary perspective
War on Terrorism
US Institute of Peace Library
Civil war, terrorism and gangs
CDI Center for Defense Information, Terrorism Project
The Heritage Foundation
Terrorism Research Center
ZNet
Narcoterrorism
Librarians Index to the Internet Sept 11 and beyond

Contents of this Page

TEXTS

1 -- Creating Fear: News and the Construction of Crisis by David Altheide (0-202-30660-7)
2 -- The New Crusade: America's War on Terrorism by Rahul Mahajan (1-58367-070-x)
3 -- Broken Bodies, Shattered Minds: Torture and Ill-Treatment of Women Amnesty International (1-887204-25-3)
4 -- 9-11 by Noam Chomsky (1-58322-489-0)

Plus assigned readings distributed in class and on reserve
-- Books currently on reserve

The Ultimate Terrorists by Jessica Stern
Politics of Terrorism by Michael Stohl

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A critical examination of the social construction of fear, terrorism and the resultant consequences for society. Definitions of terrorism are examined within many different contexts and situations.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Critically analyze the way social structures, institutions, especially the media, and social interaction create, maintain and change the experience and expression of terrorism.
Acquaint the student with sociological theories and research of fear and terrorism.
Acquaint the student with relevant historical perspectives of terrorism.
Acquaint the student with issues of terror within various institutions such as family, religion, media, health and politics.
Acquaint the student with class, race/ethnicity, and gender issues as they relate to terror and terrorism.
Enable the student to critically analyze the construction of terrorism and its future

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Go to the department website for useful information about upcoming events (like the events sponsored by the Graduate Student Sociological Association, National Women's History Month or Anthropologica), scholarships, tests, plagarism and how to avoid it, jobs or graduate school, faculty profiles, upcoming course schedules, and so on. Department of Sociology and Anthropology
2. In addition to the usual expectations of attendance and preparation, -- read, think, and write -- you are expected to read your syllabus, understand what is expected of you, and contribute to class discussions. It is strongly encouraged that you work with other students and ask questions in class. The time we spend together will be devoted to lectures, discussions, and exercises. Remember you have something valuable to say and what you learn from this class will be in proportion to what you put into it. It is also YOUR responsibility to acquire notes or handouts if you should miss class. (50 pts.)
3. Two exams (125 pts. each). No make up exams as one is a take home and the other is the final.
4. Paper/project -- 125 pts. Plans for project due Sept 24th. Completed project due Dec 3. Graduate students see me. Project

GRADING

Assume I do not grade on a curve. Final grades will be computed through a simple tally of points using the following scale:

425 - 391 A (92%)
390 - 382 B+ (90%)
381 - 357 B (84%)
356 - 348 B- (82%)
347 - 340 C+ (80%)
339 - 314 C (74%)
313 - 306 C- (72%)
305 - 297 D+ (70%)
296 - 272 D (64%)
271 - 263 D- (62%)
< 263 F

OFFICE/OFFICE HOURS

e-mail: jaeller@frank.mtsu.edu
webpage: http://www.mtsu.edu/~jaeller

1417 E. Main (Sociology and Anthropology Annex) 898-2125 FAX 898-2125
MF 11:30-2:30; TR 1:00-3:00;
Other times by appointment.
Any student with a special need concerning taking notes, exams, etc., should contact me as soon as possible so that we might work out arrangements.

FLEXIBLE OUTLINE

Aug 20, 22, 27
-- Introduction to class and requirements
----- Evaluating arguments
----- Social constructionism
----- Discussion of class exercise -- "definitions of terrorism"

29, Sept 3-5
-- Defining terrorism
----- Read -- "Conceptualization of terrorism" by Jack Gibbs in American Sociological Review 54,3(June 1989):329-340. Note that this article is available on JSTOR
----- Read -- "Current research on terrorism: the academic perspective" by Martha Crenshaw in Studies in Conflict and Terrorism 12(1992):1-11. NOTE that this article is on reserve at the library.

10-12
--Creating Fear
----- Read -- Intro and Chapters 1-4, prepare for discussion

17-19
----- Read -- Chapters 4-8 ----- discussion of media presentations of 9/11

24 -26
-- Constructing terrorism
----- Read -- 9/11 by Chomsky
----- Read -- Parts one and two in The New Crusade by Mahajan

Oct 1-3
----- continue with analysis of constructing terrorism

8-15
--International terrorism
----- Readings TBA

15
Review and distribution of take-home exam

17
Fall Break

22-24
--Domestic terrorism -- what is it?
----- readings TBA

29
Guest Speaker -- Larry Brown, University of Missouri, Columbia. "Religious extremism in a domestic context"

31-Nov 5
----- continue with discussion
----- add political and eco-terrorism
----- readings TBA

7, 12, 14, 19
--Familial terrorism
----- Read handout -- "Reframing 'domestic violence': terrorism in the home" by Isabel Marcus
----- Read handout -- "Domestic violence as a human rights issue" by Beasley and Thomas
----- Read -- Broken Bodies, Shattered Minds Amnesty International

21-26
--Future of terrorism
----- Read -- Part 3 The New Crusade
----- other readings TBA on medical, chemical, nuclear, and cyber

28 THANKSGIVING BREAK

Dec 3
Papers due

3-5
----- continue with discussion
----- Graduate student presentations

12
--Final Exam 1:30.