Course Objectives

This course will provide and focus on the central missions of homeland security: domestic security, emergency preparedness and mitigation, intelligence, and technology. The course identifies the key policy participants at the federal, state, and local levels along with critical legislative and legal policy issues relevant to the implementation and execution of homeland security activities. The design of the course is to provide an overview of the discipline of homeland security with the objective of gaining a good understanding of the many aspects and opportunities in the homeland security arena.

By the end of this course, students will be able to do the following:

• Better understand the concept of homeland security, from a historical perspective to its establishment as a key component of our nation’s effort to thwart terrorism.
• Explain the organization of homeland security at the federal, state, and local levels of government, its key players, and its critical mission areas.
• Understand how the concept of homeland security has changed our nation’s priorities and the evolving and changing threats against the United States.

My hope at the conclusion of your course studies is that you will have a greater understanding and appreciation of the dedicated efforts of the men and women who comprise the homeland security enterprise. Their tireless efforts over the past 12 years have made our nation safer and more secure.

Finally, the course is structured to provide you an overview of the mission of the world of homeland security with the objective of you contemplating working in the field. The course will be interactive and class participation will be emphasized and monitored by your instructor throughout the semester.