Malcolm Harris’ March 3 column, “Terrorism minor: Don’t train, teach,” about the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism and its terrorism studies minor program was inaccurate, offensive and unprofessional. As recent graduates from the program, we feel compelled to set the record straight and address a few of Harris’ misguided points.
The terrorism studies minor is an open, interdisciplinary and scholarly program dedicated to the research and analysis of terrorism. It consists of three academically rigorous courses that investigate the behaviors and motivations that precipitate terrorist activity and the societal responses to terrorism, and it provides students with the scholarly tools and experience necessary for the continued study of terrorism. To provide a well-rounded perspective, the minor also includes an elective requirement in an interdisciplinary field and a course dedicated to developing students’ research methodology skills. For the record, rather little emphasis is placed on counterterrorism. We are taught about terrorism, and we are trained to understand what career paths are best for us to combat such national security issues.
With regard to the information presented, we would like to address the major inaccurate points. First, we reject the assertion that “the minor isn’t even designed to teach anyone about anything.” Indeed, had Harris continued reading on the same page on START’s website, he would have found an explicit set of student learning outcomes, including gaining an improved understanding of theories of terrorist group formation, improved analytical and research skills and practical experience related to the homeland security community. We emphasize the absence of practical torture skills and stress that participation in the program does not entail belief in such methods.
Second, we acknowledge and appreciate the Department of Homeland Security’s funding for our center and its initiatives. The department’s Science and Technology Directorate funds the START center (and four others ranging from zoonotic disease research to catastrophic event response) in an effort to facilitate interchange between experts and researchers. The university is a state institution, and a large portion of its funding for all academic programs is provided by the government. On this basis, we reject the assertion that the funding from the Department of Homeland Security is any form of government intervention or influence in our overall academic discourse.
Finally, we would like to address Harris’ questions pertaining to the education that the minor provides. Yes, the curriculum is likely to present non-mainstream viewpoints, introduce information likely to make students question the current wars and inspire lively debate about what gives rise to terrorist activity. The START staff is not made up of government representatives. Indeed, they are the same professors interested in teaching and, unlike Harris suggests, are without an agenda. We encourage anyone doubtful of this free and open discourse to apply to the program and see for themselves.
Rather than attacking successful programs, we recommend that Harris divert his zealous efforts to promoting other exceptional academic programs so that the university truly does provide for its entire constituency. The minor has afforded its students with incredible educational and professional opportunities in its short tenure here at the university.
Gabriel Band is a senior biology major minoring in terrorism studies. Mark Jubar is a senior government and politics major also minoring in terrorism studies. They can be reached at gband@umd.edu.
