HS 488 - Seminar: Political Violence and Terrorism in the Modern World

(3.00 cr.)

Prerequisite: One HS 100-level course, one HS 300-level course. Political violence has been a constant feature of the twentieth and now the twenty-first century. Much of this violence has its origins in colonial people seeking political independence together with ethnic, racial, and religious minorities seeking redress from what they consider subjugation. To reach their goals, such groups have employed a variety of irregular armed strategies, variously labeled legitimate by one side but terrorism by the other. Class discussion addresses the kinds of violence independent and insurgent groups have used in seeking their goals, as well as the counter-guerrilla or counter-terrorist tactics used against them. The course begins with independence movements in Colonial Cuba, South Africa, and the Philippines. Special attention is given to post-1945 Latin America and independence movements in the French and British empires. It discusses the difference between guerrilla warfare and terrorism and ends with contemporary political and religious violence. Written or electronic permission of the instructor. GT/IL