Meet Madeline Burton, a University of Maryland student pursuing START’s Global Terrorism Studies Minor. In this spotlight, Madeline discusses how the program has broadened her understanding of global security challenges, shaped her academic interests, and connected her with the START community.
How did you find out about the Global Terrorism Studies Minor, and what motivated you to join?
I first found out about the Global Terrorism Studies Minor a few weeks into my first semester at UMD, back in fall of 2023. I was taking Dr. Steve Sin’s Principles and Perils of Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, and Atomic weapons class. The class was extremely interesting and piqued my interest in the field, and once I heard about the minor, I thought it would complement my studies and enhance my knowledge.
Which class or classes in the minor have been most influential in your academic career?
I would have to say BSST200 (Introduction to Terrorism Studies) and BSST371 (Far-Right Extremism). Introduction to Terrorism Studies, which is the course I am serving as a UGTA for now, was influential to my academic career as it served as a foundation for the minor. I was able to begin to understand the many, complicated layers of terrorism, while learning about specific groups, theories, and even counterterrorism methods. Far right extremism on the other hand, I really enjoyed the classes' specific focus on a particular type of extremism, especially one that is ever so relevant. Both classes were incredibly important and transformed my thinking of terrorism as a field of study.
How does the minor complement your major?
I am a senior Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies major with a Global Terrorim Studies minor and also a minor in Law and Society. This minor complements my major as it expands my perspective on a specific type of crime, one that is very complex. The minor has furthered my ability to think critically, conduct research, and to assess threats.
How does helping as an undergraduate teaching assistant enhance your understanding of the course material?
Helping as an undergraduate teaching assistant enhances my understanding of the course material as I am able to learn and absorb it a second time, from a different perspective. I also get to engage with class content in ways different than when I was a student, which certainly strengthens my grasp of certain topics.
What are your career plans after you graduate?
As of now I am quite unsure of what exactly I want to pursue after I graduate. That being said, I am very interested in fields relating to victim advocacy, corrections, social reintegration, human rights and justice, law, national security, and research. Though I don't have a specific career in mind I know both my major and minors, especially the GTSM program, will prepare me for success.
What advice would you give to undergraduate students considering the GTSM program?
Even though the topics of study can be difficult to learn about, I think it’s extremely important to learn about terrorism, especially in today’s day and age. I encourage students to ask questions, and really consider how terrorism studies apply and intersect with other fields of study.