Terrorism Studies Minor

Terrorism Studies Minor

Terrorism Studies

Minor

The terrorism studies minor is designed to provide cadets with the intellectual, conceptual, analytical, and theoretical tools to understand the nature, implications, root causes, and complex challenges posed by terrorism in the 21st century, and the multifaceted issues associated with counterterrorism policy.

Housed within the Department of Social Sciences at West Point, the Terrorism Studies minor leverages the robust expertise and experiences of the Counter Terrorism Center and the department’s permanent and rotating faculty members. The minor is based on two pillars: academic and professional development. These interrelated components are designed to offer cadets a world-class education in the different facets of terrorism and political violence and the ways governments respond to these challenges, while creating a community of young counterterrorism professionals in the process. 

To learn more about this area of study, visit the Department of Social Sciences.

Podcast: West Point cadets on why they chose to major in Social Sciences

Required Courses

SS465 TERRORISM: NEW CHALLENGES 

SS466 COMBATING TERRORISM

 

Sample Electives

CY450 CYBER SECURITY ENGINEERING

DS370 STRATEGY AND POLICY

EV487 ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY 

HI381 HISTORY OF IRREGULAR WARFARE 

LW474 LAW OF ARMED CONFLICT

MA394 FUNDAMENTALS/NETWORK SCIENCE 

NE450 NUCLEAR WEAPONS EFFECTS 

PL482 ARMED FORCES AND SOCIETY

SS473 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY  

SS476 CONFLICT AND NEGOTIATION

XH467 WINNING THE PEACE

HI345 MODERN AFRICA  

HI383 MIDDLE EASTERN WARFARE  

LA483 ARAB CIVILIZATION I

HI346 MODERN SOUTH ASIA  

HI347 ASIAN WARFARE AND POLITICS 

LC483 CHINESE CIVILIZATION I

EV373 GEOGRAPHY OF LATIN AMERICA 

HI348 MODERN LATIN AMERICA

HI361 MEDIEVAL EUROPE 

HI364 MODERN WESTERN EUROPE 

HI367 IMPERIAL AND SOVIET RUSSIA

 

To learn more, view the full Terrorism Studies Minor Curriculum.

Cadets in this minor receive invitations to attend events with West Point Counterterrorism Center faculty featuring counterterrorism experts and senior-level leaders, the opportunity to attend a two-day visit to Washington D.C. to meet with government agencies involved in counter terrorism  efforts, the chance to go to New York City to visit to 9/11 Museum and various New York City law enforcement agencies, the option to observe a crisis simulation exercise at the Fire Department of new York’s operations center, as well as the opportunity to attend relevant summer Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) program, USMA-run academic enrichment experience. To learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Social Sciences or the Combating Terrorism Center.