DWA 256 International Terrorism

The course analyses terrorism not only from a state security perspective, but also one informed by political ethics, in which we seek to come to terms with the demands of justice in an age of violence resulting in large numbers of civilian deaths by both state and non-state actors. Broad questions include: What is terrorism? What are it causes? What are its consequences? Do terrorists operate from internally consistent and intelligible (even if horrific) frameworks? Must we sacrifice some of our cherished civil liberties in order to protect others? And what international moral and legal principles should guide us in an age cyber warfare, drone strikes, and targeted assassinations?