The Monterey Terrorism Research and Education Program (MonTREP) at the Monterey Institute of International Studies is a research and educational component of the Graduate School of International Policy Studies that conducts in-depth research, assesses policy options, and engages in public education on issues relating to terrorism and international security. The focus of the program is on the study of violence-prone extremist groups and their historical evolution, ideological motivations, organizational structure, demographic profile, operational methods, and potential interest in carrying out mass casualty attacks (including through the acquisition and use of so-called “weapons of mass destruction” [WMD]). Our experts examine the motivational factors that lead terrorist groups to select designated “enemies,” choose particular targets, and resort to different types of attacks in an effort both to inform scholars and policymakers and to enhance the level of public knowledge about how and why such actors make strategic and tactical decisions. Our objective is to undertake projects that adhere to the highest scholarly standards but also have the potential to contribute to the formulation of more effective security and counterterrorism policies.
MonTREP supports the work of a wide variety of private and public institutions, ranging from government agencies to international organizations to academic foundations. These include, but are not limited to, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and several national laboratories. MonTREP is also a major partner in the National Center for the Study of Terrorism and the Response to Terrorism (NC-START), a consortium of educational and research institutions that has earned designation as a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence (DHS-COE).
Meeting the global challenge of terrorism requires thorough, in-depth analysis of the ideologies, organization, objectives, and operations of extremist groups and their support networks. The Specialization in Terrorism Studies is designed to build the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary for formulating and implementing effective policy responses to the threat of terrorism. Through individual study, group learning activities, and practical training, students earning a Specialization in Terrorism Studies will develop five core competencies:
- Collection, evaluation, and utilization of open-source data relevant to terrorism
- Analysis of the goals, motivations, capabilities, and structures of terrorist groups
- Assessment of terrorist threats arising from various ideological, geographical, and technological contexts
- Formulation, implementation, and evaluation of effective anti-terrorism and counterterrorism policies
- Building the capacity of governments, NGOs, corporations, and other organizations to respond to terrorist threats and incidents
Specialized Courses
In addition to the core courses of the M.A. in International Policy Studies, the Specialization in Terrorism Studies requires twenty credits of required and elective courses.
Required Course
- IP 584 Introduction to Terrorism (4 credits)
Elective Courses
- HS 476 Terrorism in the Hispanic World (in Spanish) (4 credits)
- IP 540 Conflict and Terrorism in Iraq (4 credits)
- IP 555 Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing (2 credits)
- IP 627 Seminar: Advanced Topics in Counter-Terrorism Financing (4 credits)
- IP 632 Seminar: Advanced Studies in Terrorism (4 credits)
- IP 653 Seminar: Security and Development (4 credits)
- IP 654 Seminar: Security and Nonproliferation Issues in the Middle East (4 credits)
- IP 658 Seminar: WMD and Terrorism (4 credits)
- IP 668 Seminar: Terrorism in South Asia (4 credits)
- IP 681 NGOs and Terrorism: Analysis Practicum (4 credits)
- WKS 530 History of U.S. Counterterrorism Policy (1 credit)
- WKS 532 Nuclear Weapons Technology (1 credit)
- WKS 533 Chemical & Biological Weapons Technology (1 credit)
- WKS 535 Counterterrorism Tools & Resources (1 credit)
- WKS 537 NGOs and Terrorism: Analytical Links (1 credit)
- WKS 542 Tactical Counterterrorism (1 credit)
- WKS 595 Emerging WMD Supply Networks (1 credit)
- WKS 597 Militant Islamic Organizations in the Middle East (2 credits)
In addition to developing knowledge through graduate courses, Terrorism Studies students have opportunities to gain practical experience and apply their professional skills as Research Assistants on the Monterey WMD Terrorism Database and other research projects of the Monterey Terrorism Research and Education Program (MonTREP) or through internships in international organizations with the International Professional Service Semester (IPSS) program.
Students specializing in Terrorism Studies pursue careers in government agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and private sector companies dedicated to understanding, preventing, and responding to terrorism. In their professional careers, Terrorism Studies graduates monitor and assess the leadership, motivations, plans and intentions of terrorist groups and their state and non-state sponsors. Terrorism Studies specialists also produce a range of analytical products, brief policymakers, and provide analytical support for law enforcement, military operations, anti-money laundering and counterterrorist finance. Organizations employing recent graduates of the Terrorism Studies program report that our alumni come prepared with a deep understanding of the complex phenomenon of terrorism and a strong set of skills for counterterrorism analysis. These advantages enable them to take on challenges and assume responsibilities faster than graduates of comparable programs.
For information about MonTREP, please contact:
Jeffrey Bale, Ph.D.
Director, Monterey Terrorism Research and Education Program
jeffrey.bale@miis.edu
831-647-3535
