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Producing Jihad: The Al Qaeda Recruitment Tape
Richard W. Bulliet, Fawaz A. Gerges, and John O. Voll
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| Seminar Introduction |
 | | The image and words of Osama Bin Laden dominate the Al Qaeda recruitment tape. |
Osama bin Laden's network has employed a variety of methods to disseminate his ideology. A notable recruitment method has been the use of videotapes that have been produced by bin Laden's supporters with the intention of enlisting young Arab men to ............travel to Afghanistan and train for a holy war in defense of Islam. This seminar examines one of those tapes in depth and evaluates its significance as a tool of propaganda.Adapted from Columbia International Affairs Online, this seminar focuses exclusively on the tape itself, showing scenes and concentrating on the construction of the arguments made on the tape, the reasons they were chosen, and their impact on the tape's intended audience. Made at least six months before the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the tape featured in this seminar does not target non-Arab, non-Muslim viewers, nor is it part of any propaganda war between bin Laden and Western interests. For the purpose of this seminar, the tape has been separated into three reels: (1) "The Situation of Muslims Worldwide"; (2) "The Causes", and (3) "The Solution". The reels are again divided into individual segments. This seminar does not attempt to address larger geopolitical issues or dismantle the arguments and propaganda in the tape. Richard W. Bulliet, professor of history, provides an introduction to the tape, the summary text for each segment, and a concluding analysis, while Columbia professor Fawaz A. Gerges and Georgetown professor John O. Voll analyze the themes, arguments, and structure presented in the tape. Their insights provide a window into the objectives and techniques of a modern terrorist network.
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| Learning Objectives |
- List the primary people and organizations that bin Laden is condemning.
- Analyze the use of propaganda in the recruitment tape.
- Describe the actions bin Laden encourages for the Muslim umma.
- Identify and discuss the different production techniques (e.g., editing, use of sound, use of voiceover) employed throughout the tape.
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| Technical Requirements |
To appreciate this seminar experience, it is critical that you have the appropriate software, plug-ins, and network connections. Please take the time to download the latest versions of the plug-ins mentioned below if you do not already have them.
Browser: Netscape versions 4.x up to 4.76, or Internet Explorer versions 4.x or later. Your browser must have JavaScript enabled and must be set to accept cookies.
Network Connection: The recommended minimum connection is 56K modem with throughput of 34Kbps or more. A faster connection is encouraged to take better advantage of the media elements in the seminar. Plug-ins: If you do not have RealPlayer and Flash Player already installed, please download them from the following sites:
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