SOC 619 Modern Islamic Terrorism
In this course, students will be introduced to the key historical, political, social, and cultural driving forces behind modern day Islamic terrorism. Particular attention will be focused on al-Qaeda, Islamic State, Hizballah, and the most recent group to be designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Students will gain a foundational understanding of these four groups, compare and contrast their aims and objectives, and use quantitative and qualitative data to measure the level of threat they pose to U.S national security. This course is recommended for students interested in pursuing a career with a U.S. government agency such as FBI, DHS, or CIA, or to anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of this particular strand of terrorism.