Homeland Defense Area of Emphasis
12 hours (4 classes) + 3 hours (1 class) electives
Homeland Defense is an interdisciplinary program developed by the Network Information and Space Security Center (NISSC) with classes offered through the Graduate School of Public Administration, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the College of Business.
Designed to develop leaders in industry and government, the courses prepare students to develop homeland security and homeland defense strategies for their own organizations and manage relationships with the many diverse organizations working in this arena.
Students concentrating on the Homeland Defense Emphasis complete 12 semester hours in the homeland defense area of emphasis beyond core courses and any required preparatory courses plus 3 semester hours selected from other Areas of Emphasis.
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Course Descriptions
PAD 5950: Introduction to Homeland Defense
This course provides an overview of homeland security, with an emphasis on homeland defense and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), its mission, the other government organizations it interfaces with, and those relationships. Course participants will gain an understanding of homeland security and homeland defense from the perspectives of the primary national-level players: the Department of Defense, USNORTHCOM, and the Department of Homeland Security. Major topics include the national strategy for homeland security, strategic and military force approaches to countering the terrorist threat, civilian and military roles, military-civil relationships based on Posse Comitatus, the National Guard, and USNORTHCOM and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) roles and missions. Prerequisite: Experience and/or academic work in civil government or military-related areas preferred.
PAD 5951: Interagency Relationship in Homeland Security and Homeland Defense
This course provides an in-depth study of the relationships between and among the many agencies involved in homeland security and homeland defense ranging from Federal departments to individual state agencies to local first responders. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the roles, missions, capabilities, and significant issues of those agencies with which USNORTHCOM interfaces. Major topics will include the homeland security policymaking process, organization theory and public management dimensions for homeland security agencies, intergovernmental and interagency relationships, consequence and disaster management, legal issues, and information sharing. Prerequisite: PAD 5950 or permission of instructor.
PSC 598: Understanding the Threat
Understanding the source of the threat can help in dealing with terrorists and others who could threaten our homeland. This course will provide attendees with an understanding of the source of threats that may help them in developing effective methods of deterring, preventing, and defeating those threats. Topics may include the history of terrorism, psychology of terrorists, terrorist organizations and support, terrorism organizations, international law, weapons of mass destruction, and asymmetric threats. Current readings and research will be emphasized. Students will investigate a specific threat and determine from that knowledge how best to deal with that threat. Prerequisite: An undergraduate course in psychology is preferred.
INFS 682: Protection of Critical Infrastructures
Course introduces the set of critical infrastructures, with emphasis on threats, vulnerabilities, and information infrastructures. The principles of systems engineering with emphasis on risk-based decision making and systems thinking will be presented. A term project is required. Prerequisite: Knowledge of information systems and network security preferred.
