Homeland Security (HLS)

This course provides foundational knowledge about homeland security, including policy, organization, and legal issues in the American context. P ADM 401 Introduction to Homeland Security (3)The Introduction to Homeland Security/Defense course provides a baseline of common knowledge for homeland security professionals. The course achieves this goal by focusing on homeland security/defense, the motivation and nature of terrorists, the policies established by governments, pertinent governmental plans to meet homeland security/defense goals, who the key players are across the homeland security/defense spectrum, and the relevant legal issues framing efforts to defend the nation's security. As an introduction to this broad area of study, this course serves as a basis for specialized study such as bioterrorism defense, critical infrastructure protection, cyber-security, and emergency response management. Understanding key principles will be measured through preparation of a written analysis of key homeland security/defense issues with alternative strategies consistent with current policy and legal constraints.

This course analyzes, evaluates, and critiques homeland security plans in practice. P ADM 404 Homeland Security and Defense in Practice (3)The focus of the course is to apply lessons learned in previous courses to actual organizations. Key material is reviewed, to provide context for the capstone experience that this course provides. Students will apply the Homeland Security framework (the National Response Plan and the National Incident Management System) to case studies, such as FEMA's response to Hurricane Katrina. The main theme of the course is the need for collaboration (interoperability) across state, local, and national governments as well as with the private sector and other relevant actors. A major portion of the course examines the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a state-level case study. The course will culminate with a paper that applies the framework of Homeland Security and Defense to an organization of the student's choosing.

This course provides knowledge about protection of critical infrastructure as an aspect of homeland security. PUBPL 475 Critical Infrastructure Protection (3) Critical Infrastructure Protection provides a definition of critical infrastructure and examines the importance of protecting it in the post-9/11 era. The course focuses on policies and programs designed to prevent catastrophic events and to protect and maintain the nation's critical infrastructure. It examines such activity through an understanding of the network of organizations at all levels of government and in the private sector responsible for protecting infrastructure. Case examples are provided of catastrophic events to provide an understanding of risks involved in infrastructure protection. Understanding key principles will be measured through preparation of a written analysis of a key homeland security/defense issue with alternative strategies consistent with current policy and legal constraints.

The Homeland Security Intelligence course provides a depth of knowledge of key intelligence issues for homeland security professionals.