Critical Social Inquiry 0268 - The Global War on Terror

The events following the attacks of September 11, 2001 have shocked many people as much as did the events of the actual day. The U.S. Attorney General's office created a new architecture for the way we treat suspected terrorists: Numerous anti-terrorism, surveillance, communications laws, material support statutes, and immigration restrictions, were passed. Various constitutional protections thought to be extended to all persons alike--citizens, legal residents, visitors, undocumented residents-were restricted. Is this framework an unprecedented response to a dangerous new world in which technology can be used remotely, religion functions as a commitment to certain modes of politics, and the government is trying to protect the safety of its citizens? Or can we find this framework in other moments in history? In this course, we will read a range of historical, political, legal, and philosophical materials in order to answer this question.

Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research