This course provides an overview of modern terrorism and its evolution, focusing on terrorist movements, groups and incidents in many parts of the world over time. The readings will provide a framework for understanding the theory behind terrorism, its roots, goals, and ideologies, as well as its relation to governments, the media and the public.

Students will be required to approach the subject with fresh minds in order to filter out the often inaccurate and misleading information on terrorism that we have all been inundated with over the past few decades. Recent international events have engendered increased interest in terrorist activities worldwide, and it will be the student’s job to critically distinguish between facts and fiction. Since some of the best case studies of terrorism have arisen in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, all of these regions will be included in the material.