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Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: Researches in Homeland Security

Course Title:	HLS445 - Researches in Homeland Security
Department:	Homeland Security
Instructor:	Ed Piper, MS, BA, AA - - Vita

Course Description:

Course Description: There are two parts of this course. The first part of this course focuses exclusively on an examination of how to defend the United States against terrorism. This is the essential part of homeland security. Students will answer a series of questions related to this exclusive topic in order to better focus their thinking on true homeland security. The second part of this course requires students to research, prepare and present a significant research paper focus on the topic of issues pertaining to the protection of the United States from terrorism. A strong emphasis will be placed on the research methodology utilized in the preparation of this research paper

Objectives:

1. To enhance student awareness of the major focus of homeland security.
2. To develop a holistic approach towards the threats currently facing United States.
3. To improve the student’s research methodology for preparing homeland security research papers.

Required Book(s) N/A:

When Terrorism Strikes Home: Defending the United States, by James A. Fagin. Allyn & Bacon (Pearson), 2005/2006. ISBN: 0205405819 ISBN-13: 9780205405817

Written Assignments:

Students will prepare one page double spaced short essay answers to each week's questions and email them to the instructor. Each question is worth five points. Total for all answers to questions is 50 points.

Students will prepare a 10 page research paper entitled: How to Improve Homeland Security in the United States. The paper is due on week 9. The paper will be supported by a 10-15 slide have been PowerPoint presentation. The paper is worth 40 points. The Power Point Presentation is worth 10 points.

Grades: Total for Course - 100 Points

I will determine your final grade based on the total number of points you have accumulated at the end of the semester. I do not award letter grades for each paper or exam. Your grade will be determined as follows:

95 - 100 points	= A
90 - 94 points	= A-
85 - 89 points	= B+
80 - 84 points	= B
75 - 79 points	= B-
70 - 74 points	= C+
65 - 69 points	= C
60 - 64 points	= C-
55 - 59 points	= D
Below 55 points	= F

Assignments:

Week 1: Read Chapter 1: Answer-To what extent would you give a personal freedoms and privacy to the government to help promote antiterrorist efforts?

Week 2: Read Chapter 2: What are the similarities between the reaction of the government and public to the read scary communism and the current war on terrorism?

Week 3: Read Chapter 3: Why is it difficult to prosecute terrorists in US criminal courts?

Week 4: Read Chapter 4: Do you think there is a serious threat that terrorist attack the school and United States as they did in those on Russia? Why or why not?

Week 5: Read Chapter 5: are you aware of the extent to which your daily public activities are watched by surveillance cameras? Does it cause you to change your behavior? Why or why not?

Week 6: Read Chapter 6: Why did the airlines and government failed to anticipate an event such as the 911 hijacking?

Week 7: Read Chapter 7: If terrorist use the dirty bomb what will be the most likely target?

Week 8: Read Chapter 8: Do you think the city you live in is prepared to respond to a terrorism attack using weapons of mass destruction? Why?

Week 9: Read Chapter 9: What programs did DHS initiate to enhance immigration control and poor security? What had been the criticisms of these programs?

Week 10: Read Chpater 10: Why is a war on terrorism is so expensive?

Research Paper Guidance:

1. Your approach on this topic should be limited and well-defined.
2. Be prepared to change your perspective as you proceed with your research. You may find that your original approach presents a problem. There may be too little information or too much information available on your perspective.
3. Start early and do not procrastinate. The longer you wait before beginning the paper, the more likely it is that the time for research and writing will not be available.
4. Make sure that you paper contains footnotes and a bibliography.
5. Please provide evidence of both primary and secondary research.
6. As you prepare your paper, take notes from books and articles that you have read pertaining to this topic.
7. 3x5 index cards are the best way to organize your research.
8. Make sure that all sources are documented.
9. Make sure you know the difference between plagiarism and research.
10. Utilize MLA or other recognized documentation styles.
11. Show evidence of critical thinking and inductive argumentation.
12. Take a position and provide logical and evidence to support your position

Power Point Guidlines:

Imagine that you have been asked to prepare a 10 to 15 minutes PowerPoint presentation defending your paper. The audience consists of senior-level government and business leaders seeking your recommendations. The PowerPoints should include bullets and graphics.

About Your Instructor:

Ed Piper has over 30 years of experience in intelligence, law enforcement, security, education, training and consulting. He designed the first college credit course in terrorism in Washington D.C. back in 1984 and has taught security at George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University (active), Webster University Graduate School, Norwich University and a number of other colleges. He serves as President and CEO of Homeland Security Consultants, Inc.