The search for a deeper understanding of current events surrounding the Sept. 11 attacks has prompted the ISU Honors Program to create a seminar about terrorism.

The one-credit discussion class, titled “Understanding terrorism: The global challenge,” began meeting once a week last Monday to discuss the differences between terrorism, crime and war, said the seminar’s instructor, Steffen Schmidt, university professor of political science.

The course will cover three major issues, he said.

Students will leave the class with a greater understanding of the reasons behind terrorist attacks, what the nation is experiencing because of the attacks and America’s short-term and long-term responses to the attacks.

“[Students will] not only react to daily news, but actually understand it,” he said.

Students enrolled in the course are expected to read the New York Times every day and attend about six lectures on terrorism in the 21st century given by the World Affairs Institute, Schmidt said.

A variety of guest speakers, including various speakers from the World Affairs Institute and a CIA terrorism expert, also will be invited to discuss their views on the situation throughout the semester.

Liz Beck, director of the honors program, said one-credit seminar courses allow students to broaden their educational experiences.

“A lot of people, whether students, faculty or staff, have a lot of questions about the situation in the world today,” she said. “They are [looking] for different perspectives so they can come to their own personal conclusions on it.”

Ten honors students currently are enrolled in the seminar, which meets from noon to 2 p.m. every Monday.

Schmidt said a similar class may be open to all students next semester or summer.

“This is sort of a `pilot project’ to test out some ideas and techniques for learning about terrorism,” he said.