GOVT 463
<a href="http://www.georgetown.edu/ssce/summer/143courses.htm"; target="_blank">Georgetown.edu course descrptions</a>
[quote] Political Terrorism
Sprinzak
GOVT-463-20 U.G. credit -25 Grad credit
MTTh 10:15-11:55 a.m.
3 cr. $1680
This course is not about passing moral judgments on terrorism and terrorists. Its first objective is to understand terrorism as an alternative political action that certain people and organizations resort to under certain conditions. Its second objective is to figure out the evolutionary dynamics of terrorism and to answer the most significant question about the terrorist phenomenon: how and why do good people get involved in committing terrible acts. The course tries to reach these objectives through the study of historical cases as well as theoretical discussions. Though short, the course covers terrorist organizations from the French Revolutionaries to September 11, 2001.
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To sum up, we're not going to pass any moral judgements on these "good people". <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
[ 02-27-2002: Message edited by: glurx ]</p>
[quote] Political Terrorism
Sprinzak
GOVT-463-20 U.G. credit -25 Grad credit
MTTh 10:15-11:55 a.m.
3 cr. $1680
This course is not about passing moral judgments on terrorism and terrorists. Its first objective is to understand terrorism as an alternative political action that certain people and organizations resort to under certain conditions. Its second objective is to figure out the evolutionary dynamics of terrorism and to answer the most significant question about the terrorist phenomenon: how and why do good people get involved in committing terrible acts. The course tries to reach these objectives through the study of historical cases as well as theoretical discussions. Though short, the course covers terrorist organizations from the French Revolutionaries to September 11, 2001.
<hr></blockquote>
To sum up, we're not going to pass any moral judgements on these "good people". <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
[ 02-27-2002: Message edited by: glurx ]</p>
Comments
<strong>Don't you know that terrorism is a legitimate means to obtain a political objective?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Actually, I'd say that of anything, it's a very visual & public attempt to obtain a political objective. Whether it's legitimate or even effective is subject to interpretation.
I think 9/11 was actually effective. Look at the tizzy we all got worked up into.
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I think 9/11 was actually effective. Look at the tizzy we all got worked up into.</strong><hr></blockquote>
If that's all Osama was after, I'd agree with you. But I think his ambitions went considerably beyond just working us into a "tizzy."
As far as I can tell (having spoken with the professor about it) It's a course that doesn't promote terrorism, but rather explores the justifications that one could theoretically use.
It's not saying terrorism is good; it's more a theoretical, well, if you have to say it's good, how can it be construed as such. It's more of a debunking of myths about terrorism.
Apparently over 1000 people wanted to take this course upon first offering, I was one of them.
We have the pre-eminent Arab Studies department in the nation, and the original school of international relations in the United States (the School of Foreign Service)- this class is apparently attended by many of the professors from both of those faculties- it's that interesting.
off topic: anyone know what a hoya is?
[ 02-27-2002: Message edited by: Scott H. ]</p>