Introduction to Homeland Security

With the onset of terrorism and heightened threats both at home and abroad, Homeland Security is a growing, increasingly complex field within the Criminal Justice field. This class is designed to prepare successful students to work in various Homeland Security agencies at a local, state or federal level. Specifically for those students whose career-focus is in counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, national security or government security, this introductory course is a great way to examine new and different subject areas within this growing field. Ideal for anyone entering law enforcement, private security or public administration, this course provides students with an overview of homeland security issues, threats and emergency management to ensure they understand the context within which their roles and responsibilities contribute to the overall effort to deter and mitigate against the effects of these new threats.

This course addresses the functions of homeland security, critical infrastructure, and asset protection as they relate to government, industry, and the community. The key functions of threat prevention, crisis response, and operations recovery are addressed from a variety of perspectives given that homeland security is a responsibility that is shared by government agencies, the private sector, and individuals, encompassing a broad spectrum of professional career positions throughout our society. This course provides an overview of the elements involved in the homeland security function, as well as the challenges critical infrastructure managers in government and industry can/will face while maintaining mission operations and staff accountability in the midst of multiple overlapping roles and responsibilities in our rapidly changing world.

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Compare national security policy before 9/11 with changes to that policy as a consequence of 9/11 and the formation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Describe the purpose and organization of the DHS
• Explain the concept of terrorism
• Examine the use of intelligence
• Analyze intelligence
• Describe critical infrastructure and key resources
• Examine cyber terrorism
• Examine how transportation systems are at risk and protected from terrorist threats
• Examine the effects of terrorism on public health
• Describe the purpose and structure of the National Response Framework (NRF)
• Describe the U.S. approach to emergency management
• Describe the Incident Command System (ICS)
• Describe how incident response situations are managed
• Describe the purpose, structure, and function of the ICS
• Write a response plan to an emergency situation
• Describe the ethical considerations involved in homeland security issues
• Describe the use of communication technologies in emergency situations
• Examine the role of various fields in preparing for and responding to emergencies
• Describe the role of higher learning institutions in preparing graduates for understanding their role in homeland security

This class includes the following eText:
Byram. (2011). Introduction to Homeland Security; 1/E; ISBN: 9780536132765

This course does not include tutoring.