From Al-Qaeda to ISIS: Understanding Terrorism, its Roots, Responses, and Ramifications

Focus on Al-Qaeda as the preeminent terrorist group of contemporary militant Islam, its roots, ideology, and offshoots such as ISIS and other similar groups in Asian and Africa. Examination of Al-Qaeda's ideology, political culture, and development through exploring the origins and the narrative discourse of modern Islamic organizations dating back to the Salfi Movement of the nineteenth century. Presentation of the patterns and ramifications of terrorist activities. Use critical thinking in order to differentiate Muslim proper narrative discourse from that of Al-Qaeda and its affiliated groups.