GEOGRAPHY 489 (special topics)
A Geography of Terrorism:
PLACES AND SPACES OF TERROR, VIOLENCE, AND COUNTER_TERRORISM.
Texas A&M University, Spring Semester 2003
TENTATIVE!!!
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Erik Prout
Office: Butler Hall 110-B
Office Hours: open door and by appointment
pre-set times are Tuesdays 1400-1600 & Wednesdays 1300-1500
Office Phone # 979-458-3379
COURSE
Geography 489-500 (special topic on Terrorism)
Mixed Lecture & Discussion format for three credits
Class meets in O&M 707 every M/W 1610-1725
UPDATED TOPICS & READINGS
Website: http://geog.tamu.edu/~prout
SYLLABUS COPY
Statement:
The events of September 11th, 2001 brought modern terrorism
into the everyday life of most Americans with powerful visual images and
as the topic of ordinary conversations. In reality, terrorism has been a
part of international relations for last fifty years, and other forms of
control, coercion, and resistance have been equally violent and historically
present. As the United States pursues a War on Terror(ism), the academic
community should respond and discuss the topic in light of our different
backgrounds and points of view.
A Geography of Terrorism (GEOG 489) is a special topics
course that examines the current and historical geographies of terrorism
at various scales, multiple regions, and differing interpretations. Three
themes of inquiry are
(1) defining terrorism across geographical space,
(2) using geographical approaches to elaborate the heuristic understanding of terrorism—regions & proximity, and
(3) assessing and discussing of individual threats, personal obligations,
and collective responses, which by extension policy ramifications for the
American government.
The first theme tackles the definition of terrorism with
examples from around the world and even different segments of the federal
government. In addition to politico-legal definitions, the aspect of mass-media
society dealing with terminology and ordinary people understanding complex
events through media hype and misinformation. The perspective of place in
tragic events is explored, and how we memorialize sites of violence such
as the proposed WTC memorial.
The second theme utilizes the concept of a region, particularly
a cultural region, and explores whether a regional geography of terrorism
exists. Using core-periphery as a guide, and comparing the reported terrorist
activities with popular American perceptions of the world.
The third theme allows the students to explore questions
of what we should do about terrorism. The topics include personal safety,
collective responses to acts of terrorism, physical security around specific
places, and government policy towards identifiable actors that commit and
support terrorism
The successful outcome of this course, which is my goal,
is to (1) facilitate your understanding of global terrorism through the use
of various geographical inquiries, (2) increase your knowledge and proficiency
of the various international terrorist hotspots, (3) develop a dialogue of
"terrorism" that incorporates physical security and counter-measures, and
(4) convey the importance of intellectual pursuits that construct geographical
places, regions, and ideas.
Requirements / Readings:
The prerequisite for this course is GEOG 201, INST 289,
or equivalent experiences/ interests such as military service or graduate
status. For non-geography majors, there is no presumption of prior geographical
study, but the course operates as an upper level geography. One feature of
a geography course that differs from other university courses is the need
to use atlases and maps; be prepared for memorization of geographical features
and their locations on maps of the world. All students should have a serious
interest in one of the following: international affairs, military sciences,
landscape design, and geographical concepts.
An essential part of the course and grade is participation.
There will be group activities and class discussion that require everybody’s
participation, therefore attendance becomes an essential part of the course.
Weekly reaction write ups will be due every Wednesday before discussions;
selected students will help lead the discussions.
The readings will consist of articles or chapters that
can be found in the required readings. Additional articles will be available
in the geography reading room (O&M 813). You also need access to an academic
atlas, internet, and current events.
Required
The New Global Terrorism: Characteristics, Causes, Controls. Charles W. Kegley, Jr. Prentice Hall, 2003. ISBN# 0-13-049413-5
Violence and Terrorism (Annual Editions), 6th edition. T. Badey, editor. McGraw-Hill, 2003. ISBN# 0-07-281692-9
Recommended
Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Understanding the New Security Environment.
Russell D. Howard and Reid L. Sawyer. McGraw-Hill, 2003. ISBN# 0-07-283778-0
Goode’s World Atlas, 20th edition. J. Hudson, editor. Rand McNally, 2000. ISBN# 0528640003
Reading Schedule, TBA.
Evaluation / Grading:
I use a total point scheme for grading. Every examination
and exercise has a set value of points, and the final grade is determined
from the total number of points accumulated. The final grade is based on
the total points and ranking of your points, not the percentage of points.
I set the point thresholds only after evaluating the whole class and the
point distribution. The three components of my evaluation are research, participation,
and examinations.
The primary source of points comes from a research paper/project:
450 points in total (broken down by 50 for preparation deadlines and 400
for the written paper/project). The research paper will be 15-20 pages of
writing and must be on an approved topic. The research project would be a
GIS mapping of terrorism and needs to be approved.
Participation is worth 400 points. Participation consists
of 8 reactions write-ups (25 each for 200 total); discussion leading (50);
research presentation (50); overall (attendance/quality of discussion 100).
Finally, the only scheduled exam will be during the midterm
week and is worth 150 points. The examination will be in a blue book and
consist of multiple choice, fill-in the blank, short answer, and map locations.
Excused absences are by university policy! Any examination
date or due-date missed is a tentative zero (see schedule). Exam day emergencies
require immediate notification (a phone call to me, the Department of Geography,
or an appropriate university official) and written verification of emergency.
Alternative evaluations are essay oriented and at my discretion.
Evaluation:
Possible points
Reaction 1
25
Reaction 2
25
Reaction 3
25
Reaction 4
25
Reaction 5
25
Reaction 6
25
Reaction 7
25
Reaction 8
25
Reaction 9 (discussion leader) 50
Midterm
150
Research preparations 50
RESEARCH paper/project 400
Research presentations 50
Participation
100
Total Points
= 1000
Classroom Policies: I have high expectations of my students
and in return I commit myself to some reasonable expectations; here are a
few key points.
Conducive learning environment is foremost: late arrivals and early departures
should be extreme situations; disruptive behavior of any sort is wrong. Food
& drink are okay, but smells, crunches, and wrappers are not (pack your
trash out of the room). You must minimize the distractions especially unnecessary
noise because it interferes with others ability to hear me. Turn off your
cellular phones before entering the lecture hall. Discretely let me know
if the screen is out of focus or if my voice is too low. I will try to project
my voice and I will pester those who waste our class time.
Questions: YES, ask questions. The best questions start with why, where,
or who. If you are curious or unsure, probably others in class are thinking
the same thing. I will respond.
Cheating: NO, do not do it! On evaluation days, bring ID card and only what
is necessary. Instead of devising ways to cheat, devote that time to studying.
I will not tolerate any form of dishonesty. Cheating will be treated in accordance
with Section 20 of the TAMU Student Rules.
Communication/Office Hours: I try my best to keep office hours and appointments
and return messages in a timely manner; minimal email etiquette is required
for effective communication.
FERPA/grade disclosure: All personal information concerning your performance/grade
in this course is covered by federal privacy legislation. No grades or status
questions will be addressed over the telephone or by email.
ADA Statement: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal
anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection
for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation
requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment
that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If
you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact
the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities in
Room 126 of the Koldus Building, or call 845-1637.
Copyright Disclaimer: All course material is copyrighted. Taping, reproducing
and downloading of course material for other than personal educational use
will be regarded as copyright
Evaluation Schedule:
Date / Evaluation
% of Grade
Week 1
First day of class, Jan. 13 Syllabus
Week 2
No class on MLK day
Reaction 1 Defining Terrorism
Week 3
• Paper Topic and rough outline (Jan. 27th) 25 points
Reaction 2
Week 4
Reaction 3
Week 5
• Paper outline and bibliography (Feb. 10th) 25 points
Reaction 4
Week 6
Reaction 5
Week 7
• MIDTERM EXAM (Feb. 26th)
250 points
Weeks 8 & 9
No class [Spring Break] and [AAG conference] --- Intensive reading and writing period
Week 10
Reaction 6
Week 11
Reaction 7
Week 12
Reaction 8
Week 13
Reaction 9
Week 14
• Term Paper presentations/discussions 50 points
Week 15
• TERM PAPER (April 21st)
400 points
• Term Paper presentations/discussions 50 points
Weeks 16 & 17
• Last day of class, April 28; presentations