Graduate Homeland Security Cluster

This course examines the history and development of international and domestic terrorism as political tools. It will focus on cultural, religious and philosophical elements that together have provided terrorist organizations with a fundamental basis for using terrorism to promote their causes. Various terrorist organizations and their philosophies will be studied by examining case histories of terror organization development.

This course will explore the emergence of homeland security and America's historical approach to defending its homeland and the evolution of the terrorist threat that led to September 11, 2001. Special focus will be given to threat assessment and mitigation, critical infrastructure protection, emergency response, incident management, and continuity of operations. Critical policy issues shaping the future of homeland security and the roles, responsibilities, and methods of major federal, state and local government agencies along with key private sector organizations will be examined.

This course will address the needs of state and local law enforcement to work practically and effectively with the communities they serve in light of the terrorist threat facing the nation. Issues such as preparedness, mitigation, recovery and response will be studied. Special attention will be given to balancing the rights of the citizen against the need for public safety during times when terrorist threats are highest.