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HLSS154 - Mind of a Terrorist
Course Details
Course Code: HLSS154 Course ID: 3174 Credit Hours: 3 Level: Undergraduate
This course explores psychological and behavioral perspectives of terrorism. Specifically, the course examines the circumstances underlying why people radicalize and join terrorist groups, engage in terrorist activities, assume various terrorist roles, and, in some instances, de-radicalize and disengage from terrorist activities.
Course Schedule
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04/29/19 - 10/04/19 | 10/07/19 - 12/01/19 | Fall 2019 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 05/27/19 - 11/01/19 | 11/04/19 - 12/29/19 | Fall 2019 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 06/24/19 - 11/29/19 | 12/02/19 - 01/26/20 | Fall 2019 Session D | 8 Week session |
| 07/29/19 - 01/03/20 | 01/06/20 - 03/01/20 | Winter 2020 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 08/26/19 - 01/31/20 | 02/03/20 - 03/29/20 | Winter 2020 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 09/30/19 - 02/28/20 | 03/02/20 - 04/26/20 | Winter 2020 Session D | 8 Week session |
Current Syllabi
After successfully completing this course, you will be able to
CO-1: Describe the psychological and behavioral factors of terrorism.
CO-2: Categorize means of communication and influence they have upon advancing terrorist narratives.
CO-3: Summarize psychological and behavioral factors within al Qaeda leadership and affiliate groups.
CO-4: Compare and contrast radicalization models that explain terrorist motivations.
CO-5: Summarize behavioral and psychological factors associated with disengaging from terrorism.
Forum discussions – 20 percent
Each week, a discussion question is provided and posts should reflect an assimilation of the readings. Students are required to provide a substantive initial post by Thursday at 11:55 pm ET and respond to 2 or more classmates by Sunday 11:55 pm ET. Forum posts are graded on timeliness, relevance, knowledge of the weekly readings, and the quality of scholarly work. There are also requirements to respond to the instructor’s follow up questions and acknowledge the instructor’s wrap up forum post.
Midterm assignment - 25 percent
This assignment is a take-home essay assignment of 3 pages total, to test knowledge and assimilation of the course objectives. The exclusive use of required texts and readings from this course is mandatory.
Progress assignment - 25 percent
This assignment is a take-home essay assignment of 3 pages total, to test knowledge and assimilation of the course objectives. The exclusive use of required texts and readings from this course is mandatory.
Final assignment – 30 percent
This assignment is a take-home essay assignment of 5 pages total, to test knowledge and assimilation of the course objectives. The exclusive use of required texts and readings from this course is mandatory.
| Name | Grade % |
|---|---|
| Forums | 25.00 % |
| Forum 1 | 3.13 % |
| Forum 2 | 3.13 % |
| Forum 3 | 3.13 % |
| Forum 4 | 3.13 % |
| Forum 5 | 3.13 % |
| Forum 6 | 3.13 % |
| Forum 7 | 3.13 % |
| Forum 8 | 3.13 % |
| Midterm Assignment | 25.00 % |
| Midterm Assignment | 25.00 % |
| Progress Assignment | 25.00 % |
| Progress Assignment | 25.00 % |
| Final Assignment | 25.00 % |
| Final Assignment | 25.00 % |
There is not an assigned text for this course. The weekly readings are located under the Lessons tab in the classroom.
| Book Title: | Various resources from the APUS Library & the Open Web are used. Links provided inside the classroom in the Lessons section. |
| Author: | No Author Specified |
Previous Syllabi
Not current for future courses.