Religion in Terrorism

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

This course will allow students to critically examine the complex dynamic of religion in terrorism, with a particular focus on Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Students will have the opportunity to explore how religious beliefs and identity have been invoked to both justify acts of political violence and shape counter-terrorism strategies. The class will read through primary documents and case studies to investigate theological narratives, historical grievances and ideological constructs that undergird religiously motivated terrorism, as well as strategies to counter it. The class will study a variety of cases including Christian militias and leaderless resistance movements in the United States, Islamist Jihadist movements across the Middle East, and the role of violent movements in Israel. Ultimately, the course will challenge students to answer the questions Why, how, and in what ways do religion and terrorism intersect, and what should be done to address it?