In collaboration with UMD’s Office of Education Abroad, START is offering a three-credit course, “Malaysia: Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism in Southeast Asia,” in Kuala Lumpur this July.
The course aims to instill in students a critical understanding of the impact of terrorism on individuals and communities in a global context, and introduce strategies for preventing, deterring and mitigating terrorist threats.
START Director of Undergraduate Studies Thomas Guarrieri will lead the program, along with Undergraduate Education Coordinator Liz Wasden.
This course is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, including those who do not attend the University of Maryland.
“Liz and I are really excited to be offering this course,” said Guarrieri, an assistant research scientist. “This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in combatting terrorism and extremism to gain a better understanding of these topics through an immersive cultural experience outside the United States.”
Students will participate in activities such as visiting historical sites in Kuala Lumpur’s colonial district, touring the Royal Malaysian Police Museum and taking a day trip to see the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. They will also explore the Betu Caves, which are a vast cavern complex consisting of beautiful wall paintings of Hindu deities, and visit Masjid Jamek, the city’s oldest mosque built in 1909, and Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, the main Hindu temple in the city.
This three-credit program meets the Global Terrorism Minor requirement of one BSST elective course.
The application deadline is March 1, and students can find more information and apply on UMD’s website here.