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What is Terrorism?

By Lisa Trujillo

What is Terrorism? (Competencies 1, 2, 3, 4) 

This module/lesson has students work to define terrorism and then apply the definition to world events.  Materials from “Rethinking Schools” and Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine curriculum. 

Materials:  

• Bowling for Columbine DVD for excerpts
• Scenarios from Bill Bigelow’s lesson in “Rethinking Schools”
• Reading:  Mark Hertsgaard’s “The Oblivious Empire”  and/or
• Reading: Joel Andreas’ “The War on Terror”—a “comic book,” but serious

Steps:

Pose the question of why the US government uses the words “terror,” “terrorist,” and “terrorism” all the time but has never defined them. 

First, students will create an individual definition of terrorism, keeping these questions in mind:  “Does terrorism have to involve the killing of many people or can it affect just one person? Can it involve simply the destruction of property, with no injuries?  Can governments commit acts of terrorism, or is the term reserved only for people that operate outside of governments?  Must terrorism involve people of one country attacking the citizens of another country?  Does motive make a difference?  Does terrorism have to be intentional?”   

Second, students get into small groups to share their individual definitions to see if they can build consensus on a definition. 

Third, scenarios are presented (using fake names for countries and people involved so that students will look at them objectively.)  Students are informed that all of the scenarios are real.  They then attempt to apply their group’s definition to each scenario. 

Fourth:  1)  Have small groups report out on their scenarios and what they decided about them.  If they made a diagram (on large paper or overhead transparency paper), have them show the class as they explain. 2)  Tell the class who the scenarios actually involved (many involve the US.) 

(POSSIBLE EXTENSION:  Economic Terrorism—see website)

Fifth,  Show clip of Bowling for Columbine

This clip is very brief.  It shows a series of events containing US foreign policy decisions. 

More Options:

1)   Have them read “The Oblivious Empire,” which discusses the fact that so many Americans really don’t see America objectively; thus, they cannot see why there is so much anti-American sentiment worldwide.  

2)    Have them read “The War on Terrorism” by Joel Andreas 

These readings have questions and suggestions for other activities and/or writing assignments. 

     3)    Have them do outside research on US foreign policy decisions (a good list from Michael Moore’s teaching manual that goes with Bowling for Columbine) and report back by presenting the information to the class with poster, PowerPoint, triptych, etc) 

     4)    Reflective writing assignments  (create your own or link them to readings above)

PowerPoint

Assignment