Introduction to Homeland Security
Semester Hours Credit: 3
Lecture Hours: 48
Location: Camp Buehring
Course Dates/Days/Times:
17 JAN -21 FEB 2016
Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday
1800-2100 hours
Instructor: Delroy Thomas
Office Hours: MON-FRI 1800-2100
Instructor Email:
Phone: 9441-9223
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Delroy Thomas has worked in the Intelligence Community at the senior level and interacted with senior representatives, both military and civilian, of national level intelligence, Homeland Security, DHS, and other law enforcement agencies. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia Southern University, and is currently attending Argosy University where he is pursuing a Master’s in Forensic Psychology with a concentration in Homeland Security. He also has over 21 years total active and reserve military service, including military occupational specialties as a systems maintainer on M1A1 Abrams Tank, Field Recruiter/ MEPS Guidance Counselor, and Counterintelligence Technician.
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:
Student Textbook: Nemeth, Homeland Security An Introduction to Principles and Practice; 2nd Edition: CRC Press 2013
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 and be prepared to participate in classroom discussions and to take 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 Central Texas College (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. EXAMINATIONS
A. There will be a minimum of two major examinations and a written paper or project as follows:
1. Mid-term exam on 4 FEBUARY 2016
2. Final exam on 21 JANUARY 2016
3. Term Paper due on 15 FEBURARY 2016
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.
VI. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
Homework Assignments 25% of final grade
Mid-term Exam 20% of final grade
Final exam 25% of final grade
Participation 10% of final grade
Term Paper/Term Project 20% of final grade
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TOTAL 100% Final Grade
90- 100% Grade - A
80- 89% Grade - B
70- 79% Grade - C
60- 69% Grade - D
Less than 60% Grade - F
VII. 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.
VIII. 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.
A. Lesson One : 17 JAN-24 JAN 2016
Introduction of Class; Ch. 1 - The Idea and Origin of Homeland Security
· 1. To identify major twentieth and twenty-first century events, both domestic and international, that have formed the United States' current policy position on Homeland Security.
· 2. To comprehend that war, by its very nature, its military tactics and strategies and governmental policies, relies on forms of terror to meet its goals.
· 3. To analyze the effect the Cold War had on shaping Americans' notions of terror and understand the evolution of government's policy responses.
· 4. To describe the domestic events of the turbulent 1960s and 1970s to shed light on the country's response to domestic terrorism, as well as gain an understanding of the unique motivations of the domestic terrorist.
· 5. To differentiate the motives of the international terrorist from the domestic terrorist and comprehend that although the methods may be the same, the motivations differ.
· 6. To explain the unique motivations of the jihadist by exploring attacks against U.S. military targets and discover the motivations leading up to the events of 9/11.
· 7. To evaluate specific international terror incidents against U.S. installations prior to 9/11 to gain an understanding of the jihadist mentality that led up to the terror attacks against the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.
· 8. To identify specific domestic terror attacks, such as those perpetuated by Timothy McVeigh and Ted Kaczynski, in light of the effect these types of attacks have on national security policy.
B. Lesson Two: 17 JAN-24 JAN 2016
Ch. 2. - Terror, Threat, and Disaster Post-9/11: A New Paradigm of Homeland Security
· 1. To analyze the events of 9/11 and understand the effect they had on the American population's psyche in relation to domestic security.
· 2. To appraise the effectiveness of the immediate response by government agencies to the events of September 11, 2001.
· 3. To describe the shortcomings of the lack of information exchange between various government agencies prior to 9/11 and analyze the influence the lack of communication had on the day's events.
· 4. To outline the new strategies and tactics that the safety community developed for mitigation and prevention of terrorism immediately following 9/11.
· 5. To describe the initial formation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), its structure, and policy approach, mission, and goals.
· 6. To explain the structural changes that have taken place in DHS since its inception.
· 7. To summarize the DHS's hierarchy, major players, and various advisory committees.
· 8. To list the various directorates and offices of DHS and discuss their mission and responsibilities.
C. Lesson Four: 24 JAN -31 JAN 2016
Ch. 3 – Homeland Security Law, Regulations, and Budgeting
· 1. To identify the major laws, regulations, and executive orders that form and govern the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
· 2. To analyze Executive Order 13228, which created DHS, and Executive Order 12231, which focuses on the national infrastructure and its protection.
· 3. To summarize the provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
· 4. To describe the USA Patriot Act, its provisions, and authority.
· 5. To comprehend the various specialized laws that govern certain operations within DHS, such as the REAL ID Program, US-VISIT, the SAFETY Act, and the like.
· 6. To explain the reasoning behind budgeting priorities in DHS and why the priorities fluctuate from year to year.
· 7. To compare the changes in allotments and priorities in DHS budgets from the agency's inception to the present.
· 8. To predict where future allotments in DHS budgets may change and why.
D. Lesson Five: 24 JAN -31 JAN 2016
Ch. 3 – Homeland Security Law, Regulations, and Budgeting (continued)
· 1. To identify the major laws, regulations, and executive orders that form and govern the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
· 2. To analyze Executive Order 13228, which created DHS, and Executive Order 12231, which focuses on the national infrastructure and its protection.
· 3. To summarize the provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
· 4. To describe the USA Patriot Act, its provisions, and authority.