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

Duke University

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.

100% online course

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 19 hours to complete

Suggested: 3 hours/week

English

Subtitles: English

100% online course

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 19 hours to complete

Suggested: 3 hours/week

English

Subtitles: English

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

1

Section

1 hour to complete

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 (Total 36 min), 4 readings

3 videos

David Schanzer Biography14m

Understanding 9/113m

What Happened Here18m

4 readings

Course Overview10m

Assessments and Grading10m

Discussion Forums10m

Week 1: Required Reading10m

2

Section

1 hour to complete

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 (Total 59 min), 1 reading

8 videos

State vs. Non-State Actors9m

War vs. Crime17m

Online Resource Search - Catherine Shreve4m

How to Write a Policy Memo - Overview10m

How to Write a Policy Memo - Heading and Background7m

How to Write a Policy Memo - Analysis and Summary5m

How to Write a Policy Memo - Revision2m

How to Write a Policy Memo - Proofread2m

1 readings

Week 2: Required Reading10m

3

Section

2 hours to complete

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 (Total 96 min), 1 reading

13 videos

Beginnings of Islam7m

Early Muslim Civilization9m

What Muslims Believe8m

The Core Practices of Islam6m

What is Shariah Law11m

Shariah and the Rule of Law5m

What is Jihad'?6m

The Sword Verses7m

Osama bin Laden’s Use of Religion4m

Women in Islam8m

Women, Islam, & Culture5m

The Muslim-American Experience Post 9/11- Part 18m

The Muslim-American Experience Post 9/11 - Part 25m

1 readings

Week 3: Required Reading10m

4

Section

2 hours to complete

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 (Total 87 min), 1 reading

9 videos

An Ideology of Grievance17m

Biography of Sayyid Qutb10m

Qutb’s Milestones and a Muslim Revival8m

Qutb and Jihad8m

Roots of al Qaeda14m

Osama Bin Laden’s Ideology12m

Terminology: What Is Islamism?7m

Elements of the al Qai’da Ideology4m

Flaws in the al Qai’da Ideology4m

1 readings

Week 4: Required Reading10m

5

Section

3 hours to complete

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 (Total 70 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

6 videos

Flawed Theories of Radicalization13m

Radicalization as a Complex Process4m

Multiple Pathways to Radicalization8m

The Role of Opportunities & Chance5m

The Power of Online Radicalization with Peter Neumann part 117m

The Power of Online Radicalization with Peter Neumann, part 220m

1 readings

Week 5: Required Reading10m

6

Section

2 hours to complete

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 (Total 83 min), 1 reading

8 videos

The NeoCon Critique: American Weakness9m

The Liberal Critique: American Empire7m

The Realist Perspective8m

Early Efforts to Address a Growing Threat11m

Slow Change in the Agencies - Airport Security4m

Slow Change in the Agencies - FBI, CIA, DOD12m

Stopping Bin Laden Prior to 9/11 - Part 117m

Stopping Bin Laden Prior to 9/11 - Part 211m

1 readings

Week 6: Required Reading10m

7

Section

4 hours to complete

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 (Total 111 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

8 videos

Challenges on September 12, 200113m

Intelligence and Policy Failures8m

Interview with Juan Zarate - Part 120m

Interview with Juan Zarate - Part 213m

Where Did ISIS Come From15m

What Does ISIS Believe12m

Violent Extremism in the United States14m

9/11 & The Modern Middle East12m

1 readings

Week 7: Required Reading10m

Instructor

David Schanzer

Associate Professor of the Practice

About 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....

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