West Virginia University students will be continuing their study of issues surrounding the Sept. 11 attack on America during the spring semester with the development of several dozen courses on Islam, terrorism and the Middle East.

“Higher education institutions have a responsibility to provide a forum for examination and understanding of issues and events such as those surrounding the attacks of Sept. 11,”Provost Gerald Lang said.”Weve put together quite an array of in-depth courses that focus on the faiths of Abraham, international relations, the psychology of terrorism, society and culture in the Middle East, the journalistsrole in war and other related topics. It should be quite fascinating.”

Some of the new courses include:

• Women in IslamThis course will include a discussion of the treatment of women in the various societies and cultures of the Middle East

• Effects of Terrorism on ChildrenExplores the psychological effects of exposure to violence and terrorism on children and their families

• Ecoterrorism: Causes and ImpactsThis course will explore the differences between free speech, lawful protest, civil disobedience and terrorism

• Geography of the Middle East and North AfricaProvides geographic overview of the region and traces the geographic dimension of conflict and terror, incorporating the complex relations with the western world

• Democracy at WarExplores the significance of the democratic process in war situations, the role of descents, problems of prejudice, challenges to an open society and threat to civil liberties

• The Role of the Journalist in WarExplores how the role of the war reporter and the role of a free press have evolved from World War II to the current war against terrorism

WVU s Department of English will also offer five sections of English 102 (composition and rhetoric) with a set of readings and assignments connected to issues associated with the events of Sept. 11 and afterward.

The Department of Sociology has engaged FBI Special Agent Paul Shannon as a local resource and guest lecturer for various courses during the spring term. He just returned from leading a team of FBI employees in New York City to help with identification and other related matters stemming from the World Trade Center attacks. Shannon, who has a masters degree in social psychology, was also involved in the Oklahoma City bombing investigation.

For more information on the new courses, see : http://www.wvu.edu/~acadaff/acad_prog_info.htm .