The events of Sept. 11 left many asking questions ranging from the nature of terrorism, to the history of Islam, and even the Catholic belief concerning war and violence. Universities across the nation have responded by offering new courses, restructuring old courses and raising class sizes in the courses that directly confront the questions and problems arising from the terrorist attacks.

Notre Dame and Saint Mary's are no different.

Beginning this spring several courses have been created or restructured in direct response to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. They cover several departments and discuss varying issues. At Notre Dame, classes discussing Sept. 11 are present in the government, management, history, theology and American studies departments with emphasis on very different topics. The courses add to a complete understanding of terrorism and its effects both nationally and globally.

"It's good to learn and talk about the issues," said assistant professor of history Paul Cobb, who teaches the "Modern Middle East" course this semester. "But courses about the Middle East are not the only important ones now. Courses on ethics, freedom and government are also needed."

And the University has responded with courses that range from a historical perspective in Cobb's Modern Middle East, History 395, to a theological and moral perspective in "Christian Attitudes Toward War, Peace and Revolution," Theology 567. Others, such as "Managing Difference and Conflict," Management 607, discuss ethnic, religious and racial differences as potential sources of both creativity and conflict.

Saint Mary's has done the same by incorporating Sept.11 into existing courses.

Mark Stein, a history professor at the College, is addressing issues such as wiretapping potential offenders' phones and determining the fine line between free speech and criminal conspiracy should be crossed.

"We dealt with if there are going to be restrictions on freedom of speech with regard to religious groups," Stein said.

With the timeliness and prominence of such issues, participation and interest within the classes also has increased.

Notre Dame professor Heidi Ardizonne, who teaches "Homefronts During War," a 300-level American studies course, noticed considerable interest in her course that was developed in response to and inspired by Sept. 11. Thirty-five students are presently in the class and interest was especially high among American studies majors, Ardizzone said.

Ardizonne said students were interested in the Sept. 11 but even more interested in past historical events that relate to it.

"I don't necessarily see them more engaged in Sept. 11 but more engaged when reading about historical wars," she said.

Cobb's course discusses and attempts to make connections between past Islamic movements and the present forms of Islamic fundamentalism to further discussion and relevance. He changed the course from past semesters to this spring make more room for the discussion of terrorism.

"I tweaked the way I teach the course by front-loading the current issue of terrorism up front," Cobb said.

Cobb changed the class limit this spring from the normal amount of 35 to 50, his classroom's maximum capacity.

He, like other professors, said he does not want to force his opinions and ideas about the terrorist attacks on students, but rather wants them to form their own.

"I present situations and dilemmas and engage thinking as responsible adults to come up with their own conclusions and ideas," Cobb said.

Many of the students in the classes are beginning to understand al-Qaeda terrorism and other ideas related to Sept. 11.

Mike Richard, a senior government major, is taking Govt. 327, "Problems of Contemporary Violence: Terrorism, War, and Peace after September 11." Richard is not taking the course solely to fulfill requirements of his academic major. He is in the Air Force ROTC and faces the possibility of being engaged in combat with terrorists after he graduates.

"The course gives us insight into motivations behind al-Qaeda," Richard said. "It's an attempt at rationalizing the reasoning behind the terrorism as a response to modernization and the domination of the West in global society."

Father Michael Baxter, who teaches "Christian Attitudes Toward War, Peace and Revolution," a course discussing the Church's attitudes about the nature of peace and morality of war.

"It gives students a language to talk about morality of war and peacemaking.," Baxter said.

Contact Brian Murphy at bmurphy3@nd.edu

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