Introduction to Homeland Security
Hybrid Course
Semester Hours Credit: 3
Lecture Hours: 48
Location: NSA Naples Support Site
Course Dates/Times: In Class sessions –
Tuesday 1800-2100: January 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 1, 8. with additional weekly CTC Blackboard
discussions and assignments
Instructor: Amanda Chestnut
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 1600-1800
Instructor Email:
Phone: +39 3429194457
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Amanda Chestnut
B.A. Homeland Security, American military University
M.A. Business and Organizational Security Management, Webster University
I have 10+ years of experience working for the Department of Defense within multiple agencies. I am an Air Force veteran and since ending my active duty service I have focused on the security discipline and protecting U.S. government assets within the Air Force and the Navy.
I. INTRODUCTION
A. The goal of this course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the strategic, political, legal, and organizational challenges associated with the defense of the U.S. homeland, the efforts that are under way to meet these challenges, and possible policy options. The course starts by examining the range of potential threats to the U.S. homeland, focusing on potential terrorist acts. The course then examines strategies and means for addressing these threats, including both military and non-military options. The course goes on to analyze organizational issues and impediments to effective policy coordination. Finally, the course addresses the implications of homeland security challenges and policies for constitutional rights, legal protections, and civil liberties.
B. This course is a required course in the Homeland Security – Emergency Management Associate of Applied Science Degree.
C. This course is occupationally related and serves as preparation for careers in: Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, and Corrections.
D. Prerequisite(s): None
II. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, Introduction to Homeland Security the student will:
Understand the origin and history of homeland security.
A. Discuss and analyze the chronology of recent terrorism.
B. Identify and understand homeland security Post 9/11.
C. Develop a basic knowledge of domestic terrorism.
D. Outline the specific roles that individuals and governmental agencies play in homeland security.
E. Describe the current major laws, regulations, and budgeting requirements for homeland security.
F. Identify risks, threats, and hazards associated with homeland security
G. Describe training and exercises involved in homeland security.
H. Develop an in depth knowledge of the challenges associated with national, state, local and tribal governments in terms that involve homeland security.
I. Explain FEMA and its role in homeland security.
J. Explain the evolution of homeland security intelligence agencies.
K. Describe border security and how it affects homeland security.
L. Identify and explain transportation security.
M. Identify the specific goals and responsibilities of homeland security and its role in public health.
N. Develop an understanding of homeland security and its future.
III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A. The instructional materials identified for this course are viewable through
http://www.ctcd.edu/academics/booksinstructional-materials/
Required Student Textbook:
Nemeth, C. (2013). Homeland Security: An Introduction to Principles and Practice. (2nd ed.) CRC Press.
ISBN: 9781466510906
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
A. Your first responsibility is scholarship. The grade you receive for this course will not be the grade of the instructor, but rather the grade you and you alone make.
B. You should attend class regularly in both face-to-face and online Central Texas College (CTC) Blackboard classes. Online attendance involves logging into your Blackboard class and participating in discussions, submitting assignments, etc. Be prepared to also take any unannounced quizzes relating to text assignments and lecture material presented from the beginning of the course. Please refer to ‘Class Attendance and Course Progress’ under the Academic Policies section in our current CTC Course Catalog.
C. You are encouraged to give your best effort throughout the course. From the beginning, you should plan for a steady, organized, and continuous effort, which in the long run will prove more effective for your final grade than a last minute crash-cram policy. Your course grade is not determined solely by exam grade. Such factors as class participation, initiative, attendance, and individual research papers or projects will be considered in grade computation.
D. From time to time, special library and/or outside assignments will be made to members of the class individually and/or in groups. You are expected to read all assignments and fulfill your responsibilities to any group assignment.
E. You are expected to read all assigned material and bring your textbook/reading materials to class. Keep informed on all assignments, especially after an absence.
F. Good class notes are indispensable for earning a good grade, since both the material assigned and that discussed in class will be the basis for examination material.
G. Scholastic Honesty: All students are required and expected to maintain the highest standards of scholastic honesty in the preparation of all coursework and during examinations. The following are considered examples of scholastic dishonesty:
Plagiarism: The taking of passages from the writing of others without giving proper credit to the sources.
Collusion: Using another’s work as one’s own, or working together with another person in the preparation of work, unless such joint preparation is specifically approved in advance by the instructor.
Cheating: Giving or receiving information on examinations.
H. Special Work: A term paper or other project, per requirements of the instructor, will be required. The subject must be appropriate for the course material. Check with the instructor when you have made a selection. The value is indicated in the semester grade computation and has considerable weight on your final average.
V. COURSE FORMAT – Hybrid with BLACKBOARD
This course has been developed as a hybrid course. Hybrid courses combine face-to-face classroom instruction with assignments and interaction with instructor via CTC Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to CTC Blackboard and that they are familiar with the contents and assignments. It is also the student’s responsibility to log into CTC Blackboard at least once a week to ‘attend’ the online class portion and to participate in the online Blackboard discussions and assignments. Failure to do so will violate the attendance policy and will have a negative impact on the course grade.
The course will meet for eight weeks--once a week--for a three-hour face-to-face session. In addition, instructional strategies will include weekly CTC Blackboard assignments and discussion boards to accomplish the remaining instruction per week.
VI. EXAMINATIONS
A. There will be a minimum of two major examinations and a written paper or project as follows:
1. Mid-term exam on 09 Feb 15
2. Final exam on 08 Mar 15
3. Term Paper due on 11 Mar 15
B.A student must be present for all examinations. Students who know in advance that they will be absent from an examination due to valid reasons must arrange to take an early examination. Unexpected absences due to illness or extenuating circumstances will require the student to see the instructor about individual make-up work.
C.Students without excused absences will be given a zero for the missed examination.
D. Examinations will consist of both objective (true/false, multiple choice, fill in-the-blank, and matching) and subjective (short answer and essay) questions. Students must be able to communicate both orally and in written form, thus some questions requiring the composition and writing of an essay answer will be required.
VII. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
The final grade in this course will be based on the following:
Participation 100 points
Assignments & Quizzes 200 points
Discussion Boards (mandatory) 150 points
Term Paper/Term Presentation 150 points
Mid-term Exam 200 points
Final Exam 200 points
Total possible points: 1000 points
POINTS GRADES
900-1000 A=4 pts/sem hr
800-899 B=3 pts/sem hr
700-799 C=2 pts/sem hr
600-699 D=1 pt/sem hr
0-599 F=0 pts/sem hr
A term paper or term project is expected from all students. Students may vary in their competency levels on these abilities, so the instructor may need to revisit the term paper concept during the course.
VIII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE INSTRUCTOR
A. Tuition refunds are made only in the case of class cancellation or official and timely withdrawal from CTC or from a course. Please refer to the current course catalog for more details.
B. GoArmyEd students should contact their education counselor before withdrawing and are required to withdraw through the GoArmyEd portal.
Please note: a military withdrawal does not override CTC’s grading policy.
For self-pay students, refunds are computed from the date the Application for
Withdrawal or Refund is filed with the CTC Field Representative or designated
Student Services Officer. Special conditions apply to students who receive federal,
state, and/or institutional financial aid.
Tuition and fees paid directly to the Institution by the Veterans Administration, Title IV (Financial Aid Programs, a sponsor, donor, or scholarship shall be refunded to the source rather than directly to the students.
C. Course Withdrawals, Student Responsibilities: It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course. The instructor cannot initiate a withdrawal based upon a student’s request. Rather, students must initiate the withdrawal with the designated Education Center Representative, through the CTC Field Representative or the Student Services Officer for that region.
Applications for Withdrawal will be accepted at any time before the completion of 75% of the course, after which time the student will be assigned an “FN”- “Failure for Non-attendance.”
D. Incomplete / Course in Progress Grade Policy: An “IP” or “Incomplete” grade may be assigned by an instructor if a student has made satisfactory progress in a course with the exception of a major quiz, final exam, or other project. The “IP” grade may also be assigned based on circumstances beyond a student’s control, such as personal illness, death in the immediate family, or military orders. Notice of absences, with supporting documentation, may be required by the instructor. The instructor makes the final decision concerning the granting of the incomplete grade. With an “Incomplete” grade, students are required to complete a set amount of work before the instructor will submit an official letter grade.
E. Cellular phones, beepers, and other electronic devices will be turned off while the student is in the classroom or laboratory unless the student is using the device for class purposes. No texting or social networking is allowed during class.
F. Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course requirements.
G. Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive educational experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning environment. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
IX. COURSE OUTLINE
Note:
The instructor has the right to change the course schedule. Any changes will be announced in class. If the student misses a class period and changes are announced, it is the student’s responsibility to receive the missed information from a classmate or the instructor.
Hybrid courses combine face-to-face classroom instruction with assignments and interaction via CTC Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to internet so that they may communicate, via CTC Blackboard, with the instructor. The class is broken down into eight sessions. See below for course outline.
Due Dates: All Discussion questions are due on Sunday of the completing week. Discussion questions will be graded based on participation online and in class.
All essay assignments are due in class following the week assigned. Example: Assignment for week 3 is due in class on Tuesday of week 4.
Quiz’s will be administered in class/online TBD. If online they are due the Sunday of the completing week.
SESSION 1 – January 18-24, 2016 Intro and Lesson One- Three
Lesson One:
Introduction of Class; Ch. 1 - The Idea and Origin of Homeland Security
Lesson Two:
Ch. 2. - Terror, Threat, and Disaster Post-9/11: A New Paradigm of Homeland Security
Lesson Three:
Ch. 2. - Terror, Threat, and Disaster Post-9/11: A New Paradigm of Homeland Security (continued)
a) Class will meet face-to-face on January 19, 2016 (1800 to 2100)
b) CTC Blackboard Discussion Board posts are due by Thursday at midnight (European time)
1. CTC Blackboard peer response to Discussion Board posts is due by Sunday midnight (European time)
c) CTC Blackboard assignment/project is due Sunday midnight (European time)
Assignments: 2 discussion questions
Term paper topic due
SESSION 2 – January 25-31, 2016 Lesson Four-Five
Lesson Four:
Ch. 3 – Homeland Security Law, Regulations, and Budgeting
Lesson Five:
Ch. 3 – Homeland Security Law, Regulations, and Budgeting (continued)
a) Class will meet face-to-face on January 26, 2016 (1800 to 2100)
b) CTC Blackboard Discussion Board posts are due by Thursday at midnight (European time)
1. CTC Blackboard peer response to Discussion Board posts is due by Sunday midnight (European time)
c) CTC Blackboard assignment/project is due Sunday midnight (European time)
Assignments: Multiple choice quiz
Discussion question
Term paper thesis and outline submitted
SESSION 3 – February 1-7, 2016 Lesson Six – Eight
Lesson Six:
Ch. 4 – Risk Management, Threats, and Hazards
Lesson Seven:
Ch. 5 – Training and Exercises in Homeland Security
Lesson Eight:
Ch. 6 – DHS Challenges: National vs. State and Local, National Security vs. Homeland Security
a) Class will meet face-to-face on February 2, 2016 (1800 to 2100)
b) CTC Blackboard Discussion Board posts are due by Thursday at midnight (European time)
1. CTC Blackboard peer response to Discussion Board posts is due by Sunday midnight (European time)
c) CTC Blackboard assignment/project is due Sunday midnight (European time)
Assignments: Discussion questions
2 page essay on Risk management and training. How does your city/county prepare and mitigate threats natural/manmade; identify, deter, defend, and respond?
Create a proposed training outline to further develop or implement a training plan for large scale disasters.
Or
Outline mitigation measure to protect identified assets (water treatment, power plants, national monuments, etc.).