Understanding Terrorism Today

Master of Science in Homeland Security

HS 500

Breyer State University

Professor: Ed Piper, MS

Syllabus

COURSE OVERVIEW: The course provides you with an in-depth look at terrorism, its origins, types and history. It then changes focus to the 20th and 21st century addressing both left wing and right wing terrorism. Finally, the course provides you with an international perspective by analyzing terrorism from regional and global perspectives.

You will answer review questions and submit a research paper focused on current issues in terrorism.

TIME FRAME: This is an four-semester hour course. This course is allotted ten weeks time frame for completion. You must complete all of the requirements for the course to be successfully completed by the end of the ten-week period.

TEXTBOOK: There is one textbook required for this course.

Book 1: Terrorism Today, The Past, The Players, The Future. Second Edition. Jeremy R. Spindlove and Clifford E Simonsen,Pearson, Prentice Hall. 2004: ISBN # 131961837.

Online: U.S. State Department Patterns of Global Terrorism 2003 report http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/pgtrpt/2003/

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GRADING: 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:

TOTAL 100 POINTS:

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

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Review Questions-Weekly: 30 points. You will email me your answers to review questions each week. You will cite the page numbers where you located your answers from your text. 2 Points possible for each question. 15 questions.

Research Paper: 40 points. You will select one of the following topics for your research paper: The Continued Threat of Domestic Terrorism in the United States. How the US Should Combat Narco Terrorism. How the US Should Fight Terrorism in Iraq . How Companies Should Protect Themselves From Cyber Terrorism.* Please refer to paper guidelines on the following page.

Interview with Area local, State or Federal Homeland Security Official. 30 points

Questions for Interview:

1). Your title. Number of years in law enforcement, public safety or intelligence.
2). Your description of the greatest terrorism threat facing America.
3). Your opinion of America 's readiness to respond to this threat.
4). Your opinion of your community's readiness to respond to this threat.
5). Do you think we should have courses on terrorism in our nation's schools?
6). Do you think the war in Iraq is increasing or decreasing the threat of terrorism in the U.S?
7). Should we spend more money on Homeland Security or more money on the war in Iraq? Why?

GUIDELINE FOR INTERVIEW PAPER: Select a representative from your local, state or federal government responsible for public safety/Homeland Security. Arrange an appointment with the individual and advise him/her that you will need to discuss the previous questions as part of your graduate course in Homeland security. Fax or e-mail the questions to them prior to your interview. This will allow them time prepare their answers.

This paper should be double spaced, 12 font and between 2-4 pages. A copy should be e-mailed to the instructor no later than week five of the semester.

Points will be deducted for the following:

Sloppy work: 5 Points
Poor Grammar: 5 Points
Repeated spelling errors: 5 Points
Late Paper: 2 points for each day late.

GUIDELINES FOR RESEARCH PAPER: The research paper will be 10 pages, double spaced and 12 font. You may utilize any recognized writing style including MLA, APA, Chicago Style and Turabian. The paper must include footnotes and a bibliography. You should provide at least 10 different sources in your bibliography.

Points will be deducted for the following:

Sloppy work: 5 Points
Poor Grammar: 5 Points
Repeated spelling errors: 5 Points
No Footnotes: 5 Points
Plagiarism: Automatic failure for the entire course!
Late Paper: 2 points for each day late.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1). Understand the basic causes of terrorism around the world.
2). Develop a detailed understanding of 20th Century events related to terrorism.
3). Gain a better understanding of methods for detecting and deterring terrorism.
4). Develop a better understanding of responses to terrorism.

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