Course Description
Examines changes in our understanding of weapons proliferation and of nonproliferation regimes in the years leading up to and following the end of the cold war. Explores how nonproliferation and associated policies have changed both in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, and to the possibility that terrorists or “rogue states” might acquire and use nuclear or other “unconventional” weapons.
Athena Title
PROLIF & TERROR
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. During the course of the term we should be able to study about a dozen terrorist groups. This is an efficient way for each member of the seminar to become familiar with the characteristics of a number of organizations that perpetrate terror. As a class, we will attempt to isolate similarities and differences that cut across the terrorist groups that we study. 2. Each student will present research on one (and possibly two) terrorist group to the class during the course of the term. This research will necessarily be limited because the specific terrorist group to be discussed will be chosen in the class preceding the one in which it will be presented. 3. Each student will write a formal Presidential Review Memorandum or PRM that outlines the options for addressing a major problem in terrorism or proliferation, together with the background and rationale for the options and recommendations.
Topical Outline
*Overview of Proliferation and Terror *Thinking about Security Before and After September 11, 2001 *Proliferation Broadly Defined *Loose Nukes and Control of Fissile Material *Proliferation Cases I—Non-NPT Nuclear Armed States: India *Proliferation Cases II—States with Nuclear Ambitions: Iran and North Korea, Pakistan and Israel *Thinking about Terrorism *Terrorism and Unconventional Weapons *Homeland Security and Civil Liberties *Terror and Religion