Overview of the homeland security situation in the post-9/11 era. Students will develop an understanding of factors that affect government efforts to prevent terrorist attacks in the U.S. including terrorist groups, both domestically and globally, organizations involved in Homeland Security, and the challenges and legal issues facing homeland security professionals. Students gain a basic understanding of homeland security principles, national security, and its importance in securing our borders.
This course provides an introduction and examination of terrorist threats to the United States in the form of unconventional conflict, sabotage, and subversion. Discussions explore the character and history of these threats, as well as examine the operational and organizational dynamics of terrorism. Individuals, group cells, and large organizations that are engaged in clandestine activity for political purpose or effect are explored. Effective measures for both countering and responding to these terrorism threats are discussed.
This course provides an introduction to the wide variety of threats to critical infrastructure sites and facilities in the United States from both terrorist activities and natural disasters. The importance of these sites to the nation's overall safety and security is examined, with Local, State, and National icons highlighted. The Department of Homeland Security and it's concept of an "All Hazards" approach to disasters is explored, with focus on the core principles of Prevent, Prepare, Respond, and Recover.
The response to and the planning for disasters and catastrophic events entails complex public policy decisions by local, state, and national political officials. A disaster event can influence many policy agendas, sometimes leading to sweeping changes by public officials that can have long term consequences for society. Both recent and historical disasters and their ensuing public policy changes are examined, with a focus on the perception versus the reality of effective legislation.
Students will explore the relevant scholarly literature and then conduct an in-depth analysis of the Homeland Security sector and design an innovative project. Knowledge of statistical analysis, process planning, and data gathering will be used to complete their analysis and report on a contemporary topic or aspect of the sector. Students will demonstrate their ability to assess the efficacy of program design as well as describe the project planning and implementation process. Student projects are evaluated based on the capacity to incorporate familiarity with systems and planning in a comprehensive project in the context of their subject.