Terrorism, Nationalism, Religion, and 9/11 (010:092)
Fall 2003
Instructor: Dr. Kenneth Atkinson
Date: Monday
Office: Baker 154
Time: 2:00-4:00
Office Phone: 273-6990
Location: Lang 18
Office Hours: I maintain an open door policy for your convenience. Feel free to drop by my office whenever my door is open. I am always happy to talk with students.
E-mail: nKenneth.Atkinson@uni.edu
Required Texts:
R. Firestone, Jihad: The Origins of Holy War in Islam (Oxford, 1999).
A. Rashid, Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia (Yale, 2000).
P. L. Bergen, Holy War, Inc.: Inside the Secret World of Osama bin Laden (Touchstone, 2002).
Recommended Text:
M. M. Pickthall, Translator, The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an (Amana, 1999). [You may use any copy of the Qur'an/Koran you wish. You will find several in the Rod Library.]
Here are some web sites containing the Qur'an/Koran
Islamic Society of North America [Go to left column]
Koran (browse individual suras or search the Koran for words and phrases).
Koran Resources Page (includes seven English translations of the Koran and hadith).
You will also find some interesting information on Islam, Judaism, and Christiniaty at the Beliefnet site.
Course Description:
Following the devastating September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon Americans have begun to ask questions about Islam and its adherents. Does Islam, for instance, espouse Holy War against non-Muslims? Does Osama bin Laden’s use of the Koran and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reflect the views of mainstream Islam? The media has largely failed to recognize the extent to which men such as Osama bin Laden use the language of nationalism and religion to justify their actions. For example, what is bin Laden referring to when he insists that he is seeking revenge for the humiliation of eighty years ago? This seminar will seek to help students understand the terrorist attacks of September 11 through an examination of the history and beliefs of contemporary Islam. This course will also include a detailed historical analysis of jihad from Muhammad's time to the present. Students will also learn about the importance of Wahhabi Islam, the Taliban, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for understanding current events. Through reading primary documents reflecting a wide variety of contemporary Islamic views concerning terrorism and the Middle Eastern conflict, students will gain an appreciation for the complexity of Islamic terrorism and understand that this movement in reality represents relatively few Muslims.
Course Requirements:
This will be a discussion-based seminar. Each class will be moderated by a student leader, who will provide the class with a written summary of the topic and a list of questions for discussion. The student leader will explain the topic to the class and guide the discussion. The first portion of the semester will examine the history of Islam, the life of Muhammad, and the teachings of the Koran to understand their importance for contemporary Muslims. During the second portion of the semester, students will read primary texts written by Islamic writers and terrorists concerning the events of September 11 and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Students will be expected to engage texts that reflect a variety of political and religious points of view. Throughout the course, students will also read articles from several Middle Eastern newspapers. A portion of one class each week will be devoted to a discussion of contemporary events in the Middle East. The instructor will assign readings and also teach students how to conduct academic research on the internet. Throughout the seminar, the instructor will participate in the discussions with students, answer questions, and be available for individual meetings with students outside of the class.
On September 8 I will randomly assign each student two class periods during which they will serve as discussion leaders. Each student will lead the discussion for approximately one hour. Because this is a seminar that incorporates current events, the syllabus will to some extent be written as the course progresses. I will, however, give you detailed instructions concerning your assignment at least two weeks before you lead the class. These will be posted on the course web site, which will be updated weekly. On the day that you lead the class in discussion you must pass out an outline to each student and the instructor that contains the following:
If there is something that you would like to discuss, or some current event that you would like to include in the syllabus, please let me know. This is your class and I want to make it as interesting and relevant as possible. The books that we will read and discuss will provide you with the information that you will need to understand Islam and the religious and political beliefs of some of the leading terrorist organizations that continue to affect American society. In the latter portion of the course, I will select recent articles and contemporary documents that relate to current events. You will be expected to use some of the knowledge that you have gained in the first portion of this class to examine this material. Each student will lead a class session in both the first and second sections of the class. Please refer to my course web site for additional instructions and current assignments.
Discussion Leader: First Session=100 points (25%)
Discussion Leader: Second Session=100 points (25%)
Participation=200 points (50%)
400 points possible
Policy on Late Work: All assignments must be completed for class on the day listed on the syllabus. Because this is a discussion class you must be ready to lead the class when it is your turn. Late submissions will not be accepted. No exceptions! If you do not turn in an assignment when it is due you will receive no credit.
Disabilities: It is the policy of the University of Northern Iowa to fully comply with the stated provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C.A., Section 12101, et req (“ADA”). The ADA states that “no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.” If you have any questions, contact or visit the Office of Disability Services, UNI Counseling Center, SSC 213. Phone (319) 273-2676 [voice] or (319) 273-3011 [TTY].
Cheating: All students should become familiar with the Academic Ethics Policies found in the University Catalog. Plagiarism will result in an automatic grade of "F" for the course and could possibly result in other disciplinary action by the UNI administration. Please ask the instructor in advance of all written assignments if you are not certain whether your work constitutes plagiarism. When in doubt, it is always best to include a reference note (footnote or endnote) when you use material from another work.
Course Changes: This syllabus is subject to minor alterations during the semester. Changes will be announced in class. The student is responsible for keeping informed of any changes announced in class. If you miss a class, find out from a friend what happened, and whether any announcements were made. Some movies may be added to the syllabus. Changes to the syllabus will also be announced on my web site.
September 1: No Class: Labor Day Holiday
Read Suras 1-2 of the Qur'an over the holidayBernard Lewis, The Roots of Muslim Rage
September 8: The Life of Muhammad
Firestone, Chapters 1-2
September 15: Jihad and the Qur'an
Firestone, Chapters 3-4
September 22: Oral Traditions of Islam
Firestone, Chapters 5-7
September 29: The Beginning of the Taliban
Rashid, Chapters 1-5
October 6: Islam and the Taliban
Rashid, Chapters 6-10
October 13: Central Asia, Militant Islam, and the West
Rashid, Chapters 11-16
October 20: The Legacy of Afghanistan and the Taliban
Bergen, Chapters 1-3
October 27: The Emergence of Osama bin Laden's Terrorist Franchise
Bergen, Chapters 4-5
November 3: The Embassy Bombings and Terrorism against America
Bergen, Chapters 6-8
November 10: Global Terrorism and 9/11
Bergen, Chapters 9-10 & Afterword
November 17: Look at the following web sites. For those scheduled for presentations, follow the same instructions as before (class handouts, discussions, etc.). You will comment and explain these websites.
Readings from the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Readings to be announced). Under "Subjects," go to "Reform in the Arab and Muslim World." Read at least six articles in this section. [Note: Include the title and web address of the aritlces in your class summary. We will project them on the screen for the entire class to see.]
Look at Frontinle "Hunting bin Laden" (Take a look at this site and summarize some of the information that you find interesting. We will also project this site on the screen so keep track of the pages you have read.)
Aljazeera.Net English Home Page (Look at this site during the week and simply select a few interesting articles for discussion. Keep track of the articles and links as we will project these on the screen.)
November 24: Thanksgiving: No Class
December 1: Look at the following web sites. For those scheduled for presentations, follow the same instructions as before (class handouts, discussions, etc.). You will comment and explain these websites.
America Responds (PBS Website)
Frontline: Truth, War and Consquences (On the Iraq Situation)
Readings from the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (Readings to be announced). Under "Subjects," go to "Arab-Israeli Conflict." Read at least six articles in this section. [Note: Include the title and web address of the aritlces in your class summary. We will project them on the screen for the entire class to see.]
December 8: Come up with a definition of "terrorism." We will compare the definitions in class.
Explain in brief the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Read the articles on the NPR site and present the class with a summary of this conflict.
Read several articles on the Arab-Israeli Conflict from the Middle East Media Research Institute.
December 15: Class begins at 3:00. Read several articles from the following web sites.