Investigating Terrorist Incidents


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Investigating Terrorist Incidents


HLS450 - Investigating Terrorist Incidents
Homeland Security
Ed Piper, MS, BA, AA - Vita

Course Description:

This course allows students to develop an appreciation for lessons learned from the investigations of numerous terrorist incidents that took place before the September 11, 2001 attacks. The issues addressed include: security, facilities management, communications, intelligence, incident command and training.

Objectives:
  1. To review the lessons learned in the Beirut bombing at USMC facility.
  2. To review the lessons learned from the first bombing of the World Trade Center.
  3. To review the lessons learned from the Oklahoma City bombing.
  4. To review the lessons learned from the Khobar Towers bombing
  5. To review the lessons learned from the USS Cole bombing
Required Book(s)

PDF files and government reports. * Will be available
  1. From Beirut to Khobar
  2. DOD Commission Report USS Cole
  3. Human Behavior During First Attack on WTC f95137.pdf
  4. Oklahoma City
Written Assignments:
This is a 10 week course. The focus will be on four major terrorist incidents.
During first week, you will be asked to read the attached report. In addition, you will be asked to utilize the Internet and cite/read one additional article on the same topic. During the second week, you'll write a two page reaction paper answering the following questions:
  1. Name of terrorist attack, date, location, perpetrator, methodology of attack.
  2. Vulnerabilities that led to the attack.
  3. Amount of loss of human life and property.
  4. Provide one photo suitable for PowerPoint.
  5. Lessons learned and areas for improvement.
During Weeks 9 and 10, you will prepare a 20 slide PowerPoint presentation focused on the following topic: How the Lessons Learned from Previous Terrorist Incidents Can Prevent Future Terrorists Attacks Against US Targets. The presentation will be due by the end of week 10.

Points:

4 Reaction papers: 20 points each
1 Power Point Presentation 20 points
Total 100 Points

Grades:

A = 95 - 120
B = 80 - 94
C = 70 - 80
D = 60 - 69
F = Below 60

Week 1: Read From Beirut to Khobar and one additional report from the Internet on this topic.

Week 2: Write and submit two page reaction paper following the format provided in the syllabus. Email to instructor by end of week.

Week 3: Read DOD Commission Report USS Cole and one additional report from the Internet on this topic.

Week 4: Write and submit two page reaction paper following the format provided in the syllabus. Email to instructor by end of week.

Week 5: Read Human Behavior During First Attack on WTC f95137.pdf and one additional report from the Internet on this topic.

Week 6: Write and submit two page reaction paper following the format provided in the syllabus. Email to instructor by end of week.

Week 7: Read Report on Oklahoma City Bombing and one additional report from the Internet on this topic.

Week 8: Write and submit two page reaction paper following the format provided in the syllabus. Email to instructor by end of week.

Week 9 & 10: During Weeks 9 and 10, you will prepare a 20 slide PowerPoint presentation focused on the following topic: How the Lessons Learned from Previous Terrorist Incidents Can Prevent Future Terrorists Attacks Against US Targets. The presentation will be due by the end of week 10.

About your instructor: Ed Piper has over 30 years of experience in security, intelligence, education, training and consulting. He serves as Dean of Homeland Security Studies for Canyon College and as a faculty member at Johns Hopkins and Norwich University. He is CEO of Homeland Security Consultants, Inc.