Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Selected Topics: Non-recurring (1-6)

Domestic Terrorism and Political Violence

This course helps students understand and explain terrorism and political violence both from an academic and policy perspective. In the course students explore the history of political violence by non-state actors, from the American Revolution to the present, within the United States. Students learn and apply theories of violence to explain past and current violent events. Students read primary source materials from individuals and groups involved in violence. The course concludes with discussions of policy prescriptions to mitigate these acts.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Selected Topics: Non-recurring (1-6)

Criminal Wrongs and Human Rights

Cutting edge films, documentaries, sound portraits, and fictional and non-fictional writings on crime, punishment, and human rights form the core of this course. Students examine justice and human rights from the vantage point of criminals and others at the margins of society. Providing a creative voice for those who may wish to write about justice and human rights issues is a secondary theme of the course.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Selected Topics: Non-recurring (1-6)

Prosecution of Domestic and International Terrorism

This online course explores and assesses the myriad legal and policy issues related to trying suspected terrorists. The course begins with a general overview and discussion of the legal systems where terrorists might be tried, including U.S. federal, military tribunal, and international legal systems. The course focus then shifts to the trial process itself and its application to terrorist suspects. Topics include charging, extradition, the use of secret evidence and protection of classified evidence, a comparison of the use of military tribunals with other U.S. federal courts, indefinite detention, and other emerging issues.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Selected Topics: Non-recurring (1-6)

Investigating Domestic and International Terrorism

This online course provides an overview, discussion, and assessment of the legal, sociological, and policy construct used by the United States to detect and investigate domestic and international terrorism. The course begins with a sociological, legal, and policy discussion of terrorism generally and then shifts to the general legal and policy principles that inform decisions made by the executive and legislative branches of the United States government to respond to terrorists and terrorism. The course focus then shifts to the intelligence gathering and initial stages of the criminal justice process as they are applied to terrorist suspects. Students analyze materials related to surveillance, capture, and interrogation of terrorist suspects. Topics include the USA PATRIOT Act, interrogation tactics, self-incrimination, information sharing among diverse government agencies and other stakeholders, as well as other emerging issues.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Selected Topics: Non-recurring (1-6)

Punishment and Rehabilitation in America

This online course examines both traditional and contemporary objectives of incarceration and other forms of punishment. A range of punishments are studied including prison, community service, capital punishment, and avant garde concepts like public shaming. The course includes discussion of the impact of sentencing guidelines on recidivism rates, as well as the costs associated with punishment; movies and documentaries used to stimulate discussion points; and online debates around questions such as whether rehabilitation works.