Understanding 9/11: Why 9/11 Happened & How Terrorism Affects Our World Today

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Understanding 9/11: Why 9/11 Happened & How Terrorism Affects Our World Today

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About this course: This course will explore the forces that led to the 9/11 attacks and the policies the United States adopted in response. We will examine the phenomenon of modern terrorism, the development of the al Qai'da ideology, and the process by which individuals radicalize towards violence.

Created by:  Duke University
  • Taught by:  David Schanzer, Associate Professor of the Practice

    Sanford School of Public Policy
Level Beginner Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose for a paid plan or for a free plan

  • Free plan: No certicification and/or audit only. You will have access to all course materials except graded items.
  • Paid plan: Commit to earning a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new skills.

About this course: This course will explore the forces that led to the 9/11 attacks and the policies the United States adopted in response. We will examine the phenomenon of modern terrorism, the development of the al Qai'da ideology, and the process by which individuals radicalize towards violence.

Created by:  Duke University
  • Taught by:  David Schanzer, Associate Professor of the Practice

    Sanford School of Public Policy
Level Beginner Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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Duke University Duke University has about 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students and a world-class faculty helping to expand the frontiers of knowledge. The university has a strong commitment to applying knowledge in service to society, both near its North Carolina campus and around the world.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Week 1: Course Overview and the 9/11 Attacks



In this course, we will examine why al Qai-da attacked America. We will also examine the phenomenon of terrorism, in general, and the radical ideology developed and propagated by Osama bin Laden through al Qaida, more specifically. We will consider why individuals are attracted to this ideology and how they radicalize to violence. We will also explore how the United States addressed terrorism prior to 9/11 and the policy changes the US (and its allies around the globe) faced in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.


3 videos, 4 readings expand


  1. Reading: Course Overview
  2. Reading: Assessments and Grading
  3. Reading: Discussion Forums
  4. Video: David Schanzer Biography
  5. Video: Understanding 9/11
  6. Video: What Happened Here
  7. Reading: Week 1: Required Reading


WEEK 2


Week 2: What is Terrorism?



Our topic for this week is, what is terrorism. We will try to define terrorism and understand the actions that we're going to be studying in this course, 9/11 and its aftermath. We will examine one of the key debates in this area; can terrorism be executed by a state, or is it only the use of political violence by a non-state actor. You will also learn how to write a policy memo.


8 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Video: State vs. Non-State Actors
  2. Video: War vs. Crime
  3. Reading: Week 2: Required Reading
  4. Video: Online Resource Search - Catherine Shreve
  5. Video: How to Write a Policy Memo - Overview
  6. Video: How to Write a Policy Memo - Heading and Background
  7. Video: How to Write a Policy Memo - Analysis and Summary
  8. Video: How to Write a Policy Memo - Revision
  9. Video: How to Write a Policy Memo - Proofread


WEEK 3


Week 3: A Primer on Islam



This week we have a special treat: we will have an extensive conversation with Imam Abdullah Antepli, the Islamic Chaplin here at Duke. We’ll cover a wide range of topics, including Islamic history, law, the role of women and the Muslim experience in the post – 9/11 world.


13 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Video: Beginnings of Islam
  2. Video: Early Muslim Civilization
  3. Video: What Muslims Believe
  4. Video: The Core Practices of Islam
  5. Video: What is Shariah Law
  6. Video: Shariah and the Rule of Law
  7. Video: What is Jihad'?
  8. Video: The Sword Verses
  9. Video: Osama bin Laden’s Use of Religion
  10. Video: Women in Islam
  11. Video: Women, Islam, & Culture
  12. Video: The Muslim-American Experience Post 9/11- Part 1
  13. Video: The Muslim-American Experience Post 9/11 - Part 2
  14. Reading: Week 3: Required Reading


WEEK 4


Week 4: The al Qai'da Ideology



Our topic for this week is the al Qaeda ideology. An ideology is essentially the set of beliefs that an individual, a group, or an organization has to either motivate them or to give that organization purpose. For al Qaeda, of course this is incredibly important because they're trying to motivate individuals to sacrifice their lives for what they view as a great cause.


9 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Video: An Ideology of Grievance
  2. Video: Biography of Sayyid Qutb
  3. Video: Qutb’s Milestones and a Muslim Revival
  4. Video: Qutb and Jihad
  5. Video: Roots of al Qaeda
  6. Video: Osama Bin Laden’s Ideology
  7. Video: Terminology: What Is Islamism?
  8. Video: Elements of the al Qai’da Ideology
  9. Video: Flaws in the al Qai’da Ideology
  10. Reading: Week 4: Required Reading


WEEK 5


Week 5: The Radicalization Process



This week we’ll examine how individuals become radicalized. We’ll see that there are multiple paths to radicalization where opportunity and chance play a significant role. Thus, radicalization is a complex process that defies simple explanation. We’ll conclude with a conversation with Peter Neumann, Professor of Security Studies at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London, and director of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalization.


6 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Video: Flawed Theories of Radicalization
  2. Video: Radicalization as a Complex Process
  3. Video: Multiple Pathways to Radicalization
  4. Video: The Role of Opportunities & Chance
  5. Video: The Power of Online Radicalization with Peter Neumann part 1
  6. Video: The Power of Online Radicalization with Peter Neumann, part 2
  7. Reading: Week 5: Required Reading

Graded: Peer Assessment #1

WEEK 6


Week 6: Counterterrorism Before 9/11



This week we’ll examine the three main US political philosophies that underlie the country’s approach to counterterrorism. We’ll look at the beginnings of the US response to this growing threat and how US agencies involved in counterterrorism efforts have adapted over time. Finally, we’ll examine how the US attempted to combat Osama bin Laden’s growing threat to US security.


8 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Video: The NeoCon Critique: American Weakness
  2. Video: The Liberal Critique: American Empire
  3. Video: The Realist Perspective
  4. Video: Early Efforts to Address a Growing Threat
  5. Video: Slow Change in the Agencies - Airport Security
  6. Video: Slow Change in the Agencies - FBI, CIA, DOD
  7. Video: Stopping Bin Laden Prior to 9/11 - Part 1
  8. Video: Stopping Bin Laden Prior to 9/11 - Part 2
  9. Reading: Week 6: Required Reading


WEEK 7


Week 7: September 12, 2001



In this final week of the course we’ll speak with Juan Zarate , one of the key White House counter terrorism advisers in the second Bush administration, about US counterterrorism efforts since 9/11. We’ll look at the current state of threats to US interests from emerging actors, such as ISIS. Finally, we’ll look at the recent developments in the Middle East that affect US security.


8 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Video: Challenges on September 12, 2001
  2. Video: Intelligence and Policy Failures
  3. Video: Interview with Juan Zarate - Part 1
  4. Video: Interview with Juan Zarate - Part 2
  5. Video: Where Did ISIS Come From
  6. Video: What Does ISIS Believe
  7. Video: Violent Extremism in the United States
  8. Video: 9/11 & The Modern Middle East
  9. Reading: Week 7: Required Reading

Graded: Peer Assessment #2
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