“9/11 and Its Aftermath – Part I” Begins Soon on Coursera

new-york-city-78181David Schanzer, a professor at the Sanford School of Public Policy, has been working throughout the summer to adapt his Duke University course into an online course. The Coursera version is the first of a two-part series about the attacks of September 11, 2001. Part I focuses on explaining why the attacks occurred. Over seven weeks, students will learn about the development of radical Islamic extremism, the roots of al Qai’da, and the radicalization process. Students will examine U.S. counterterrorism prior to 9/11, learn why these policies failed to prevent the 9/11 attacks, and then consider the policy challenges facing the world on September 12, 2001. Part II of the course, to be presented in 2014, will examine the policy response to the attacks – including discussions of the use of force in Afghanistan and Iraq, drones, detention policy and interrogation, surveillance and intelligence collection, and homeland security.

This summer’s preparations have meant rethinking how to capture the discussion-based atmosphere that is a hallmark of his traditional course. The primary strategy was to build in online discussion forums for Coursera students to debate issues that would come up in the classroom. Of course, Schanzer created video lectures for much of the materials of the course. They are supplemented, however, with video interviews of key White House policy maker Juan Zarate, journalist Peter Bergen (who interviewed Osama bin Laden), and the radicalization expert Peter Neumann. Students will experience what it is truly like to be in a Duke classroom, and face Schanzer’s tough questioning, through videos of small seminars with students.

Along with the delivery of the content, Schanzer has been concerned with how to assess student learning in a course that would typically be graded on the basis of writing projects. In the case of the Coursera version, there will be a few quizzes that test knowledge of the content of both the readings and videos. However, the majority of the grade will be based on peer assessments. Students will be asked to put the knowledge they gain into action; for example, writing a memo for a mayor who must talk about a recent shooting in his town that may be perceived as terrorism. The final project is to write an opinion piece for a newspaper or stage an interview with a world leader that takes place on September 12, 2001. It is left up to the students if they would like to work alone or with a group or partner. They can also choose from three different kinds of submission — writing, video or audio. The final grade is based on the ratings of five colleagues in the class. As such, creating a detailed and fair rubric has been as important as stating the goals and instructions for the assignment.

“Even though a dozen years have passed,” Schanzer believes that “the forces that led to 9/11 are still shaping our world today.” The horrific conflict in Syria, the political chaos in Egypt, and instability and threats in Yemen all are connected in some way to 9/11. And 9/11 unleashed the controversies over drones, Guantanamo, NSA surveillance, and government secrecy that are roiling in the United States and around the globe. “Students will learn a great deal about 9/11 in this course, but more importantly, this course will help them to better understand the world we live in today.”

“9/11 and Its Aftermath – Part I” begins September 9 and ends in the first week of November. Sign up for the Coursera class now.

2 thoughts on ““9/11 and Its Aftermath – Part I” Begins Soon on Coursera

  1. Patricia Novak

    After reading the paragraph about the very interesting ways in which students will be evaluated, I’m left wondering if it is not possible to simply audit the course?

    Many thanks for your reply.
    Patricia Brown Novak
    Duke ’55

  2. PATRICK MORELLI, '66

    Dear Professor Schanzer,fellow alumni,and friends,
    Kindly encourage students, faculty, and friends to review the “Eagle Rock September 11th Memorial” on my website http://www.MorelliART.com.
    The memorial is the first of the major 9/11 memorials, dedicated on October 20, 2002, and the only one, to my knowledge, that contains the names, ages, hometowns or foreign countries of all 2900 people who perished in the attacks on the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the four airline flights–their names etched on a 160-ft granite “Wall of Remembrance” enhanced by eight bronze sculptures.
    The six Duke alumnus who lost their lives on 9/11 are included, alphabetically among the names.
    Under review by the National Park Service for designation as a National Historic Site.
    I often give tours of the monument to alumni, public officials, and others. Email me at MorelliART@aol.com for further information.
    Patrick Morelli ’66
    MorelliART Sculpture & Architectural Design
    Duke contacts especially familiar with me and my work: Professor Joel Fleishman, Bob Bliwise, and Sterly Wilder.
    (518) 782-4671

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