Radicalization and Recruitment to Terrorism TRSS 711 (3)

Among the most important questions for terrorism studies are “Why and how do individuals become involved in terrorism?” The mechanisms of radicalization and recruitment are varied and diverse, and may be influenced by the interplay of psychology, social psychology, group dynamics, and broader cultural contexts. This course will provide an introduction to the wide variety of perspectives. Regardless of the specific motivational dynamics, contemporary theorizing conceptualizes radicalization as a process. This course will review these approaches. Finally this course will examine the policy implications of the various approaches to radicalization. How can what we know about radicalization be used to arrest or reverse the process? Students with credit for CRIM 711 may not take this course for further credit.