Terrorism Minor

  • Terrorism Studies Cadets meet with John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
  • Terrorism Studies Cadets conduct a summer educational enrichment experience with the Los Angeles Police Department
  • Terrorism Studies Cadets visit the White House and meet with counterterrorism policy leaders on the National Security Council
  • Terrorism Studies Cadets meet with Comissioner Raymond Kelly at NYPD headquarters to learn about and discuss counterterrorism issues in New York City.
  • Terrorism Studies Cadets during an educational enrichment experience at the Central Intelligence Agency

About Terrorism Minor

The Terrorism Studies Minor is a program that provides cadets the intellectual tools to understand the complex challenges posed by terrorism and insurgency in the 21st century. The two pillars of the Terrorism Studies Minor are the academic and professional programs. These interrelated programs are designed to offer cadets a world-class education in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency, while creating a community of young counterterrorism professionals.

Cadets should not begin the minor until they first take or concurrently enroll in International Relations. The minor consists of five additional courses in the following categories:

Required Courses: Terrorism and Counterterrorism & Homeland Security.

Three electives courses must be completed from two different broad categories: “Strategic” Electives – including courses like History of Unconventional Warfare, National Security Law, or International Conflict & Negotiation and “Regional/Cultural” Electives– including courses like Modern South Asia, Cultural & Political Anthropology, or Modern Latin America. These courses often compliment other coursework and by choosing one elective from each category Cadets will gain exposure to both strategic terrorism-related courses and regional/cultural application.

About the Minor

The TSM's professional component is designed to complement the cadets' academic training by providing access to a variety of relevant extra-curricular activities.

Special Events

Terrorism Minor Cadets will be given unique opportunities to attend lectures and roundtables with leading counterterrorism experts and practitioners. In addition the CTC is engaged in sponsoring and organizing various extra-curricular activities. The CTC sponsors an annual trip to Washington D.C. to meet with high ranking Counterterrorism officials. Cadets on past trips have met with Deputy National Security Adviser for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, John Brennan, and Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Michael Leiter. The CTC also organizes the cadet conference, an annual event where cadets have the opportunity to present their papers/theses and receive guidance and constructive feedback from CTC staff, senior faculty and top experts in the field. Finally, twice per semester the CTC host a Movie Lunch event that includes screening a movie relevant to the program and is followed by discussion with CTC Staff.

Internships

Through the generous support of Mr. George Gilmore select Cadets will have the opportunity to pursue 6 weeks internship opportunities at key partner institutions in Washington D.C. as well as in other parts of the country and abroad. In past years CTC AIAD program participants have interned at the NCTC, State Department, FBI and other organizations.

Advanced Research Opportunities

In addition to mentoring Cadets pursuing their theses the CTC assists select Cadets who have a particular research interest with locating a sponsoring agency for both funds and additional academic opportunities. Past projects that have received additional support from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) include senior theses concerning the London 2012 Olympics, and illicit smuggling networks. The CTC has also supported a Behavioral Sciences & Leadership thesis cadet whose paper was accepted on a panel with Terrorism Experts Martha Crenshaw and Gerald Post.