CRJ 360: Homeland Security and Criminal Justice

Course Description

This course will focus on the evolving roles of law enforcement and homeland security. An overview presented on All Hazards, approach to emergency management and the efforts to align preparedness, incident management, and emergency response plans from various agencies (federal, state, local, tribal, private sector, and non-governmental). Reviewing and discussing the various strategies specific to law enforcement and best practices to include examining the terrorist events of 9/11 and what roles law enforcement should play in preventing and responding to terrorism and the aftermath of an event. The course will also survey other dimensions of homeland security, such as critical infrastructures, maritime security, and the ramping up of air security. Students who have taken PSA 360 should not take this course. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • CRJ 101: Criminal Justice
  • ENG 101: English Composition 1

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Define and explain terms, trends, and issues within the criminal justice profession as it relates to homeland security.
  2. Analyze contemporary homeland security policy issues, including issues related to the political process, diversity and multi-culturalism.
  3. Describe the roles and function of the departments that make up the Department of Homeland Security and what changes were made after 911.
  4. Explain prominent themes, theories, and elements of terrorism related to the concept of homeland security.
  5. Conduct and use research to critically analyze contemporary homeland security issues as they relate to the role of state and local law enforcement, including the trade-offs that result from increased security and reduced civil liberties.
  6. Distinguish between and explain key actors, institutions, and processes involved in homeland security decision-making and implementation when responding during a natural or man-made disaster with emphasis on the role of law enforcement agencies.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussion (Weeks 1-8)

40%

Project (Weeks 2, 4 & 5)

15%

Quizzes (Weeks 3 & 6)

10%

NIMS Certification x2 (Week 7)

10%

Final Exam (Week 8)

25%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

(Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle)

  • Logan, Keith Gregory and James D. Ramsay. Introduction to Homeland Security. 1st ed. Westview Press, 2012. ISBN-10: 0813345987 or ISBN-13: 9780813345987
  • Davila, Anthony. Suicide Terrorism. 1st ed. Ingram Book Company, 2017. ISBN-10: 1-63227-173-7 or ISBN-13: 978-1-63227-173-7

Additional Resources

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,2,3,4,6

Topic: Missions, Goals & Objectives of Homeland Security

  • Read assigned material
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Post Self Introduction

2

1,2,3,4,5

Topics: Border Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Aviation and Transportation Security

  • Read assigned material
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Project - Threat Assessment

3

1,2,3,4,5

Topics: Police Strategies, Operations & Tactics in Homeland Security

  • Read assigned material
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Quiz 1

4

2,4,5

Topics: Role of Military & Domestic Law Enforcement in Homeland Security (Posse Comitatus Act)

  • Read assigned material
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Project: Stafford Act

5

1,2,5

Topics: De-Conflicting the Roles of the FBI, CIA & Department of Defense

  • Read assigned material
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Project: Agency Roles

6

1,2,6

Topic: "All Hazards Approach"- Comprehensive Homeland Security Includes Natural Disasters

  • Readings:
    • Homeland Security - Chapter 9
    • Suicide Terrorism - Chapter 4
  • Read assigned material
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Case Study Assignment
  • Complete Quiz 2

7

1,2,6

Topic: Communications in Emergency Response (NIMS) (ICS)

  • Read assigned material
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit NIMS Training

8

2,6

Topic: Partnering with Private Sector

  • Readings:
    • Homeland Security - Chapter 3
    • Suicide Terrorism - Chapter 7
    • Review previous course material for Final Exam
  • Read assigned material
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Final Project
  • Complete Final Exam
  • Complete the Course Evaluation

Final Exam

SLOs 1-6

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.