Course Description
Course takes an applied history approach to guerilla warfare, terrorism, and insurgency. Course uses case studies to teach students how policy, decision-making, and ethical considerations contributed to the success or failure of non-state actors and shaped effective and ineffective responses to the challenges of unconventional warfare.
Athena Title
Guerrillas & Terrorists
Prerequisite
Any HIST course or ENGL 1101 or ENGL 1101E or ENGL 1101S or ENGL 1102 or ENGL 1102E or ENGL 1102S or POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- By the end of this course, students will be able to arrive at conclusions through gathering and weighing evidence, logical argument, and listening to counter argument.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to write stylistically appropriate papers and essays. Students will be able to analyze ideas and evidence, organize their thoughts, and revise and edit their finished essays.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to identify how an applied history approach to guerrilla warfare, insurgency, and terrorism can shape responsible decisions and help leaders craft effective policies.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to apply appropriate methodological approaches to their analysis of primary sources and to organize their evidence to show historical continuities and discontinuities.
Topical Outline
- 1. Applied History: Theory & Methods
- 2. Guerrillas, Terrorists, Insurgents: Definitions and Clarifications
- 3. Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency: Definitions and Clarifications
- 4. Anarchism and the Origins of Modern Terrorism
- 5. Emiliano Zapata and Guerrilla Warfare in the Mexican Revolution
- 6. The Irish Republican Army in the Irish War of Independence
- 7. The Jewish Revolt and the British Mandate in Palestine
- 8. Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and the Cuban Revolution
- 9. The National Liberation Front and the Algerian War of Independence
- 10. The Viet Cong and the the Vietnam War
- 11. The Weather Underground and Leftist Terrorism in the United States
- 12. Fatah, the PFLP, and Guerrilla Warfare vs. Terrorism in the Palestinian Struggle
- 13. Sandinistas and Contras in Nicaragua
- 14. The Troubles in Northern Ireland
- 15. Islamic Jihad, al-Qaeda, and the Near Enemy vs. the Far Enemy
- 16. U.S. Occupation and the Sunni Insurgency from Zarqawi to ISIS
- 17: Hamas, Hizbullah, and the October 7th Attack in Israel
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Communication
The ability to effectively develop, express, and exchange ideas in written, oral, interpersonal, or visual form.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
