- Course Starts: August 24, 2020
- Course Ends: December 11, 2020
- Course Length: 16 weeks
- Deadlines: All assignments will be due on the specified dates unless otherwise specifically stated.
Note on readings: Do the readings in the order provided in each Challenge. They are structured in such a way as to build upon one another or interact in certain ways.
Note on assignments: Refer to the "Assessment" page of each Challenge for additional information, detailed instructions, and resources supporting you in completing the assignments. You must follow, and completely respond to, the assignment description in each Challenge. It is not sufficient to just use this Syllabus.
Note for students in the International Track: Students from the International Track within the iMPS-HLS Base Program will be assigned to a dedicated group and be given specific additional information, and instructions as to which set of case studies and scenarios to choose from, focusing on the international dimension of homeland security.
Course Introduction and Challenge 1: (1 week)
Challenge 2: (2 weeks)
Challenge 3: (3 weeks)
Challenge 4: (10 weeks)
| Course Introduction & Challenge 1: Homeland Security Leadership and Communication Self-Assessment |
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| Time frame | August 24 - August 30, 2020 (Week 1) |
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| Readings |
- Course Syllabus
- Course Introduction content
- Challenge 1 course (Module) content
- Assigned textbook and any other readings, as specified on the Challenge 1 course pages
- Learning Tools content
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| Assignments |
- The following assignments are due by Thursday, August 27:
- Submit the Academic Integrity Statement
- Complete the Student Questionnaire Form
- Join the course group in VoiceThread (instructions located in “Get Acquainted” content page)
- Participate in the "Perspectives and Resources" Discussion Forum
- The following assignments are due by Sunday, August 30:
- Introductions - Deliver a 1-2 minute VoiceThread, self-introduction, and offer comments on self-introductions posted by other class members
- Assessment - VoiceThread narrated PowerPoint slides of single greatest HLS challenge
- Participate in the "Challenge 1 Wrap-up Discussion Forum"
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| Challenge 2: Practical Assessment of Homeland Security Analytical Writing |
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| Time frame | August 31 - September 13, 2020 (Weeks 2 - 3) |
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| Readings |
- Challenge 2 course (Module) content
- Assigned textbook and any other readings, as specified on the Challenge 2 course pages
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| Assignments |
- Assessment - Practical Assessment of Homeland Security Analytical Writing:
- For each of the two documents that you choose according to the instructions from the Challenge, write a 2-page, single-spaced assessment, identifying the aspects detailed in the Challenge.
- Also, provide a short introductory and concluding paragraph for the assessment as a whole (i.e., covering the assessment of both of your chosen documents), with "Introduction" and "Conclusion" as headings.
- Your total submitted text should be about 5 pages in length (2 pages for the assessment of each of your two chosen documents, and an additional page for introduction and conclusion): due by Sunday, September 13 (week 3).
- Engage in the discussion forums:
- Perspectives: due by Thursday, September 3 (week 2).
- Wrap-up: due by Sunday, September 13 (week 3).
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| Challenge 3: Individual Analysis - from Case to Scenario |
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| Time frame | September 14 - October 4, 2020 (Weeks 4 - 6) |
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| Readings |
- Challenge 3 course (Module) content
- Assigned textbook and any other readings, as specified on the Challenge 3 course pages
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| Assignments |
- Assessment
- Select one case study from the textbook and develop a short (half-page) scenario of a homeland security program at federal or state, local, territorial, or tribal (SLTT) level on increasing resilience to the kind of hazard addressed in the case study.
- Write a 4-5 page, singe-space policy paper addressing the selected case, with an executive summary: due by Thursday, October 1 (week 6). Include your scenario in an annex.
- Deliver a 6-8 slide narrated PowerPoint Presentation: due by Thursday, October 1 (week 6).
- Provide Comments on others' presentations by Sunday, October 4 (week 6).
- Engage in the discussion forums:
- Perspectives: due by Sunday, September 20 (week 4).
- Wrap-up: due by Sunday, October 4 (week 6).
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| Challenge 4: Scenario Foresight-based Collaborative Problem Solving |
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| Time frame | October 5 - December 11 (Weeks 7 - 16) |
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| Readings |
- Challenge 4 course (Module) content
- Assigned textbook and any other readings, as specified on the Challenge 4 course pages
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| Assignments |
- Assessment:
- Your instructor will give your group options for the choice of a point-of-departure case for scenario development from the DHS Significant Cases collection on Monday, October 5 (week 7).
- Discuss your group preference(s) with your instructor and in class before choosing your case study.
- Choose your point-of-departure case based on the options given to your group by the instructor and inform your instructor of your choice via e-mail: due by Friday, October 9 (week 7).
- Read, digest, collect information, and analyze the assigned scenario topic (case from textbook). Share with your group a 2-3-page individual report contributing initial scenario foresight information and analysis, based on distilling hazard-specific principles and preparedness/response requirements from your chosen case and extrapolating on them in a 5-10 years time frame: due by Monday, October 19 (week 9). Note: Your group should duly consider and integrate all individual contributions from its members as it collectively works to meet the Challenge 4. The reports will not be graded individually. **This is not an assignment to submit on dropbox but an internal deliverable to share with your team. **
- Develop a group plan for a scenario foresight study: due by Friday, October 23 (Week 9).
- Work in your group according to your group plan to integrate the scenario and write a group paper of a total of 4 pages in length, (1) explaining your group's approach to (including information used) and main results of scenario foresight (2-3 pages), and (2) providing a scenario description narrative – to be furnished to one of the other groups (1-2 pages); include a title for your scenario; a list of recommended resources in addressing the scenario; and a list of criteria you would apply to assess how well a group responds to your scenario: due by Friday, November 13 (week 12).
- You will be provided the scenario (from those developed by one of the other groups) for you to analyze on: Monday, November 16 (week 13).
- Review your assigned scenario developed by one of the other groups, and submit a group work plan for analysis of and response to that scenario: due by Friday, November 20 (week 13).
- Submit a 35-40 page group report on the analysis of and response to that scenario: due by Friday, December 4 (week 15). ** Your report will be forwarded to the Team that provided your scenario, for their assessment, as you will be receiving the report from the team that analyzed your scenario, for you to evaluate. **
- Deliver/Post a narrated PPT group presentation introducing your written report on VoiceThread: due by Sunday, December 6 (week 15).
- Provide comments to other groups' PPT presentations: due by Wednesday, December 9 (week 16). Each group member must at least make one comment.
- Provide your group’s evaluation of your scenario user group: due Thursday, December 10 (week 16).
- Write a 2-page individual comprehensive personal and professional reflection ("reflective paper") on your experience in working with your team and in this class by Friday, December 11 (week 16). ** This is an individual assignment for each student to complete and submit on dropbox. **
- Engage in the discussion forums:
- Perspectives: due by Sunday, October 18 (week 8).
- Wrap-up: due by Thursday, December 10 (week 16).
Note: The narrated PowerPoint Presentation must be available for the class to review by Sunday, December 6, 11:59 p.m. (week 15) |
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