Study Abroad Opportunities

International Perspectives on Terrorism and Counterterrorism

In January 2012, START is offering a two week study abroad program based at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. This course will explore the varied ways in which different actors conceptualize and approach the problem of preventing, deterring, and mitigating the impacts of terrorism. It will look at “hard” versus “soft” power approaches; offensive versus defensive approaches; and law enforcement versus military versus international organization approaches to the idea of counterterrorism. The course will analyze the ways in which actors at the international, national, and sub-national levels address terrorism in Australia and throughout Asia and the Pacific Rim and will consider major impacts of both terrorist attacks and terrorist threats on individuals and groups in the region.

In preparation for the course students will participate in one online counter terrorism simulation prior to departure and a second online simulation and discussion after the group’s return (dates and times TBA). Dr. Kate Izsak of the University of Maryland’s National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, will lead the program alongside a series of lectures by speakers from Macquarie University’s Centre for Policing, Intelligence, and Counter Terrorism. There will also be a fulltime assistant affiliated with START who will accompany students on all lectures, discussions, and activities for the full two weeks. Accommodations will be in hotels, and students will visit a range of cultural institutions and participate in outdoor activities during the two-week stay. Activities will make the most of the fabulous location, taking in the sites and unique cultural activities on offer in one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic cities.

By the end of the course, students will have developed:

• Expertise on the scope of current academic research on counterterrorism;
• Awareness of the interplay between international, national, and sub-national actors in decisions pertaining to conflict and political violence;
• Ability to analyze counterterrorism policies and understand how they relate to other varied approaches to preventing and deterring terrorist activity; and
• Increased writing, presenting, and cross-cultural communication skills.

Program details:

Dates: January 7-20 2012

Eligibility: Freshman, Graduate Student, Junior, Other, Senior, Sophomore, Spring Admitted Freshman.

Credit type: Resident credit, 3 upper division undergraduate credits, graduate credit also available. Accepted students will be enrolled in BSST 338S Australian and Pacific Rim Perspectives on Terrorism and Counterterrorism.

How to apply: All applications must be made through the University of Maryland’s Study Abroad Office. Application deadline is October 15th 2011.

For more information (including program cost) and to apply please visit: http://www.international.umd.edu/studyabroad/

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