Graduate Homeland Security Course Descriptions

6191, 6291, 6391 Research. Individual research problems for superior students in homeland security. May be repeated for a total of six semester hours credit.
Prerequisite: Approval from the Chair of the Department is required prior to enrollment.

6301 Seminar in Homeland Security (3-0). In conjunction with an analysis of current Homeland Security topics, students apply theoretical concepts of target identification and risk evaluation to develop risk mitigation plans, which are jointly critiqued by their classmates. Students consider various natural and man-made disasters and potential disasters, from an all-hazards perspective. Practical application of open source intelligence to risk analysis and mitigation is a key component of this course. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Criminal Justice 6301.)

6302 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3-0). Geographic Information Systems (GIS) contain a powerful set of tools for data acquisition, management, query, and display. This course provides students with a substantial foundation in the history of cartography and mapmaking. A second major emphasis of this course will merge both theoretical and historical information with hands-on practical training utilizing the basic tools provided with GIS software. Students will become familiar with the importance of metadata, as well as editing and updating metadata and how this is important to the success or failure of the dataset as a whole. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Criminal Justice 6302.)

6303 Cryptology (3-0). The history of ciphers, cryptanalysis, computer security system design, investigation of security system breeches, user access issues, and associated policies are discussed. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Intelligence, Security Studies, and Analysis 6307.)

6304 Advanced Studies in Transnational Crime (3-0). Globalization touches all aspects of an ever more interconnected world - never more so than in criminal organizations. The study of the morphology of transnational criminal organizations of all types is key to understanding the future of organized and international crime and the associated legal and practical efforts to counter future trends. Through differentiation of historical and contemporary patterns, modus operandi, capabilities, and vulnerabilities of transnational criminals and organizations, students develop crime interdiction proposals and critique the proposals of other students, through a Socratic process. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Criminal Justice 6304.)

6305 Advanced Studies in Human Trafficking (3-0). This advanced course looks at the origins and current trends in trafficking of humans for profit. Whether it be to supply workers for the international sex trade, or the delivery of babies for adoption, the trafficking of humans destroys lives, families, and the very social fabric upon which societies are built. This course delves into the theoretical basis of the psychopathology behind human trafficking and the intense process of recovery that victims and their families need to recover from these crimes, help that is often lacking in even the most civilized societies. Students evaluate current events and develop theoretically and legally based responses to these crimes. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Criminal Justice 6305.)

6306 Advanced Studies in International Drug Trafficking (3-0). The international trafficking of illegal narcotics and other pharmaceuticals has been a global problem for over a century. From the Opium Wars of the 1800s to the current battles among drug cartels in Mexico, this course offers an in-depth analysis of the epidemic of drug abuse and its association with crime. Using open source intelligence, students evaluate the impact of current drug interdiction efforts by federal agencies. Students conduct online research, statistical analysis, development of viable programs and policies to reduce the current demand for illegal substances worldwide. They then argue in support of their positions to convince the remainder of the class of their program’s viability. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Criminal Justice 6306.)

6310 Seminar in Port Security and Maritime Defense (3-0). Maritime ports of entry and defense of the U.S. coastal waters are the primary focus of this seminar. Students evaluate the vulnerability of maritime ports to disruption and attack. Applying risk management theory, students critically analyze current efforts to identify the vulnerabilities of ports and their associated transportation infrastructure. Efforts to provide security along U.S. coasts are discussed from a historical perspective through the post-9/11 era.

6311 Transportation Security (3-0). This course examines current and future threats to U.S. and international transportation systems and discusses methods and technologies designed to confront these threats. Coverage of relevant security issues relating to transportation by sea, land, pipeline, and air will be included.

6320 Studies in Terrorism (3-0). This course discusses the politics of terrorism and counterterrorism in depth. Theoretical approaches to explain terrorism as a tactic are analyzed. Individual, group, and state terrorism are reviewed from a historical and political context. Students conduct an in-depth analysis of the U.S. response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the advent of the USA PATRIOT ACT and its impact on civil liberties, and the development of the Department of Homeland Security as a terrorist mitigation strategy. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Criminal Justice 6320.)

6322 Studies in Weapons of Mass Destruction Hazards and Responses (3-0). This course for the non-scientist is a study of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards associated with different forms of weapons of mass destruction as well as the routine manufacturing and transportation of these components to which we are exposed daily. The means by which disaster management specialists prepare for accidents and incidents involving these materials are covered in depth. Potential short and long term impacts of incidents and accidents are evaluated.

6330 Studies in Disaster Preparedness (3-0). Risk management theory, disaster management theory, and FEMA strategies are applied to reconstructions of past natural and man-made disasters. Students are tasked with carrying out intensive reevaluation of past efforts and development of enhancements that would improve future responses.

6331 Seminar in Emergency Planning (3-0). Effective emergency planning is the key to surviving natural and man-made disasters. Topics covered include threat identification and assessment, risk analysis, identification and protection of critical infrastructure, gathering and dissemination of intelligence, evaluation of open source intelligence, and utilization/manipulation of public media to enhance citizen response. A thorough understanding of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards is essential for this course. Knowledge of risk management theory, disaster management theory, and a familiarization with FEMA response scenarios are necessary for students taking this course.

6334 Research Methods and Statistics in Security Studies (3-0). Research methods with application to intelligence, homeland security, criminal justice, and other security-related interests. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Intelligence, Security Studies, and Analysis 6305, Security Studies 6305, or Criminal Justice 6334.)

6335 Data Mining (3-0). A course in statistics particularly geared to pattern analysis, information continuity, and data recovery. Inferential and descriptive techniques for decision analysis are included. This course uses a variety of data bases associated with business, census, terrorism, and crime statistics from which students conduct research projects. Personal computers with fundamental software programs such as Excel, SPSS or SAS are necessary for students to complete this course. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Intelligence, Security Studies, and Analysis 6335.)

6340 Constitutional Issues in Homeland Security (3-0). Taking Constitutional Law to the next level, students conduct in-depth analysis of court decisions that respond to ongoing efforts to address legislative efforts to secure the homeland in the face of a continued international terrorist threat. Additionally, students evaluate the legal basis for federal response to natural and man-made disasters and the impact of these responses to local sovereignty. Students taking this course are required to write extensive legal briefs. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Criminal Justice 6340.)

6341 Advanced Studies in International Police Development (3-0). Students use the comparative method to conduct critical analyses of ongoing efforts to develop police in other countries by the U.S., EU, UN, and other agencies. The role of military and non-military forces, coupled with their interaction with NGOs and local agencies, is evaluated. Developing measurement tools to use in conducting success evaluation is a key part of this course. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Criminal Justice 6341.)

6342 Cybersecurity and Constitutional Issues (3-0). This course discusses telecommunications law and policy as it applies to the rapidly evolving technologies and capabilities of the internet, telecommunications, satellite and imagery systems available for commercial and government exploitation. The legal implications of a global internet, recourses available to law enforcement, treaties, etc. are reviewed from an international perspective including processes by which international cooperation is gained to deal with cyber threats. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Intelligence, Security Studies, and Analysis 6342.)

6343 Seminar in International Law (3-0). Students discuss advanced principles and practices of international law and legal regimes. The course examines traditional and emerging topics in the field: human rights, the Law of the Sea, the Law of Armed Conflict, War Crimes Tribunals, and the International Criminal Court.

6344 Seminar in Terrorism and Homeland Security (3-0). This survey course addresses the definition of domestic and international conflict; its modalities (e.g., armed conflict, terrorism, economic coercion, and environmental degradation); types of threats (e.g., nuclear, biological, and chemical); the public law of conflict management; and the U.S. response to external conflict within the confines of domestic and international legal principles recognized by the United States (including constitutional issues). The course has an interdisciplinary character but is ultimately guided by the international and domestic rule of law.

6345 Seminar in Federal Immigration Law (3-0). In this seminar course, the student analyzes Federal Immigration Laws dealing with border security issues, in particular U.S.C Title 8, Title 18, Title 19, Title 21, and Title 31. Students and the professor carry out active discussions of federal court and law enforcement agency implementation of immigration law (or lack thereof) and the associated domestic and international political ramifications of this implementation (or lack thereof). Students taking this course are expected to be able to produce properly formatted legal briefs and apply that knowledge to development of policy briefs concerning federal immigration law.

6350 Cyber Vulnerability (3-0). Students discuss at length the reliability and vulnerability of computer based technologies, biometrics, and security technologies. Included are case analyses of external (hacking) and internal (man-in-the-middle) attacks on government and private communications systems. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Intelligence, Security Studies, and Analysis 6350.)

6351 Emerging Technologies in Homeland Security (3-0). In this course a variety of cutting edge technologies associated with Homeland Security are discussed. The technologies are analyzed and evaluated for functionality, usefulness, cost effectiveness, and reliability. Depending upon the technologies analyzed, students may be required to participate in field research. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Intelligence, Security Studies, and Analysis 6351.)

6355 National Security Policy (3-0). This course presents an overview of security policy issues as fundamental components of foreign policy. The course takes a narrow view of security policy and examines the topic from the direction of securing America’s borders. The course combines historical description of security policy development, comparative analysis, and theoretical examination.

6371 Internship. This course is designed to familiarize students with the application of knowledge gained in course work and with operations and problems in the field of border and homeland security. Students must be pursuing a master’s degree in Border Security. Approval of instructor is required.

6381 Special Topics (3-0). A seminar in selected homeland and border security topics. May be repeated once for credit when topic varies.

6387 Seminar in Criminal Justice Agency Ethics (3-0). The study of criminal justice without the concurrent study of justice is simply criminal. This course exposes students to the ethics (and lack thereof) of criminal justice agencies. Scenario evaluation, active discussion, and theoretically based argumentation and decision-making are all key components of this seminar. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Criminal Justice 6387.)

6389 Capstone Seminar in Homeland Security (3-0). This course is a research seminar in which students will develop skills in locating, extracting, evaluating, and synthesizing information acquired from their prior courses. Students write a publishable, article-length, paper based on independent research. Students may also be expected to supplement their research with other readings under the direction of the professor.