HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations Course Syllabus. Course Description. Course Textbook. Course Learning Outcomes. Credits.

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1 HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations Course Syllabus Course Description Examines various tactical response options with emphasis on pre-incident preparedness, mitigation actions, and use of protocols within the National Incident Management System framework. Course Textbook Oliver, W. M., Marion, N. E., & Hill, J. B. (2015). Introduction to homeland security: Policy, organization, and administration. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Course Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Examine proactive measures to detect and mitigate the impact of a potential terrorist attack. 2. Discuss the concepts and components of the National Incident Management System. 3. Evaluate preparedness actions for Terrorism Response Operations. 4. Assess the effectiveness of terrorism response protocols. 5. Determine protective measures for individuals at the scene of a terrorist attack. 6. Develop a plan for post-terrorism recovery. 7. Examine lessons learned from the terrorist attacks of September 11, Relate the benefits of interoperability to Terrorism Response Operations. Credits Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit. Course Structure 1. Study Guide: Each unit contains a Study Guide that provides students with the learning outcomes, unit lesson, required reading assignments, and supplemental resources. 2. Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit. 3. Unit Lesson: Each unit contains a Unit Lesson, which discusses lesson material. 4. Reading Assignments: Each unit contains Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the textbook. 5. Suggested Reading: Suggested Readings are listed in the Unit I, IV, V, VII, and VIII study guides. Students are encouraged to read the resources listed if the opportunity arises, but they will not be tested on their knowledge of the Suggested Readings. 6. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments in Units I-VIII. Specific information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are included with each assignment. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below. 7. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content related questions. 8. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 1

2 CSU Online Library The CSU Online Library is available to support your courses and programs. The online library includes databases, journals, e-books, and research guides. These resources are always accessible and can be reached through the library webpage. To access the library, log into the mycsu Student Portal, and click on CSU Online Library. You can also access the CSU Online Library from the My Library button on the course menu for each course in Blackboard. The CSU Online Library offers several reference services. and telephone ( ) assistance is available Monday Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. The library s chat reference service, Ask a Librarian, is available 24/7; look for the chat box on the online library page. Librarians can help you develop your research plan or assist you in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information. Reference requests can include customized keyword search strategies, links to articles, database help, and other services. LibGuides Click here for the LibGuide for this course. Think of a LibGuide (a Library Guide) as a mini-website to help you with your assignments. It has relevant information such as databases, ebooks, and websites specific to your courses. If you have any questions, please reach out to your friendly library staff. Unit Assignments Unit I Reflection Paper Examine the National Incident Management System (NIMS), and critique the positive aspects of NIMS as well as what could be improved upon. After examining the strengths and weaknesses of NIMS, discuss how the concepts and components of NIMS could be applied to future learning or career opportunities. The completed assignment must be a minimum of two double-spaced pages in length, not including the title page and Unit II Reflection Paper Please review the National Strategy for Homeland Security and provide feedback on current practices in relation to terrorism response protocols. Also, examine best practices and what can be improved upon in relation to terrorism response protocols. Think of ways that your suggested improvements could be applied to terrorist attacks that have occurred. The completed assignment must be a minimum of two double-spaced pages in length, not including the title page and Unit III Reflection Paper Discuss the similarities and differences between the Oklahoma City Bombing and 9/11 terrorist attacks. Also, examine some of the lessons that you feel were learned from the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Finally, share your thoughts on how the lessons learned can be used in the future. This is a chance for you to combine your personal thoughts with the concepts that are covered in this unit. HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 2

3 The completed assignment must be a minimum of three double-spaced pages in length, not including the title page and Unit IV Reflection Paper Examine two terrorist attacks, and provide an overview of these attacks. Explain the lessons learned from each attack in your opinion. Also, describe what protective measures were taken during the attacks to prevent further casualties and injuries. The completed assignment must be a minimum of three double-spaced pages in length, not including the title page and Unit V Project Topic Select a current topic that relates to terrorism. The topic could be an issue, event, incident, or policy decision that occurred within the past five years. You will be required to develop a recommended plan of action to mitigate or prevent the threat and develop a plan for post-terrorism recovery in relation to your topic in Unit VII. Use this unit to begin preparing for your course project that you will submit in Unit VII. The course project will require the use of three peer-reviewed sources. Make sure you select a topic that allows you to locate the required number of sources and enough information to develop your post-terrorism recovery plan. The CSU Online Library is a great resource to use to locate sources. Your topic and sources should be submitted as a one-page document. Unit VI PowerPoint Presentation You are a mid-ranking member of a large city s police department. Since the passage of the USA PATRIOT Act, you have become a bit of an expert on the act and have served as a point person for your precinct when police activities related to the act are necessary. A local university will be holding a debate on the merits of the PATRIOT Act and has asked you to attend to debate the positive merits of the act and evaluate its effectiveness as it relates to preparedness for terrorism response operations. You are one of three members of a panel speaking in favor of the act. You will be debating with another panel of three who will be debating against the act, in favor of its repeal. What arguments in favor of the act will you make? What do you feel will be your strongest arguments, and which do you think will be more difficult to defend? Now, put yourself on the other panel and consider why you might argue against the act and in favor of its repeal. What arguments would you make against the act? Which one of your arguments against the act might be the most difficult to defend? Prepare a 12-slide PowerPoint presentation to highlight your key points. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced using APA formatting; paraphrased and quoted material Unit VII Course Project For this project, you will use the topic and sources that you selected in Unit V. Please explain in detail the issue, current status, and recommended plan of action to mitigate or prevent this threat. Also, develop a plan for post-terrorism recovery HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 3

4 in relation to your topic. Please provided detailed information about the topic and supporting evidence for your plan of action. Your completed assignment should be a minimum of six double-spaced pages. You are required to use at least three peer-reviewed sources for this assignment. Reference entries and in-text citations should follow APA formatting guidelines. Your project should include the following categories: Title page Introduction of the topic Current status of the topic Recommended plan of action Post-terrorism recovery plan References Unit VIII Scholarly Activity You have just been hired as a consultant by the Department of Homeland Security to develop some potential ideas for technology to assist with homeland security. You have been tasked to think about problems that exist with communication and interoperability, and potential ways that technology can solve them. Be creative and think about ideas that may spark something substantial down the line. You must include the following: Relate the benefits of interoperability to terrorism response operations. What ideas do you have to improve interoperability and communication? To which sector of homeland security might your ideas apply? Would you expect your ideas to be easy to implement or impractical in reality? The completed assignment must be a minimum of two double-spaced pages in length. APA Guidelines The application of the APA writing style shall be practical, functional, and appropriate to each academic level, with the primary purpose being the documentation (citation) of sources. CSU requires that students use APA style for certain papers and projects. Students should always carefully read and follow assignment directions and review the associated grading rubric when available. Students can find CSU s Citation Guide by clicking here. This document includes examples and sample papers and provides information on how to contact the CSU Success Center. Grading Rubrics This course utilizes analytic grading rubrics as tools for your professor in assigning grades for all learning activities. Each rubric serves as a guide that communicates the expectations of the learning activity and describes the criteria for each level of achievement. In addition, a rubric is a reference tool that lists evaluation criteria and can help you organize your efforts to meet the requirements of that learning activity. It is imperative for you to familiarize yourself with these rubrics because these are the primary tools your professor uses for assessing learning activities. Rubric categories include: (1) Assessment (Written Response) and (2) Assignment. However, it is possible that not all of the listed rubric types will be used in a single course (e.g., some courses may not have Assessments). The Assessment (Written Response) rubric can be found embedded in a link within the directions for each Unit Assessment. However, these rubrics will only be used when written-response questions appear within the Assessment. Each Assignment type (e.g., article critique, case study, research paper) will have its own rubric. The Assignment rubrics are built into Blackboard, allowing students to review them prior to beginning the Assignment and again once the HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 4

5 Assignment has been scored. This rubric can be accessed via the Assignment link located within the unit where it is to be submitted. Students may also access the rubric through the course menu by selecting Tools and then My Grades. Again, it is vitally important for you to become familiar with these rubrics because their application to your Assessments and Assignments is the method by which your instructor assigns all grades. Communication Forums These are non-graded discussion forums that allow you to communicate with your professor and other students. Participation in these discussion forums is encouraged, but not required. You can access these forums with the buttons in the Course Menu. Instructions for subscribing/unsubscribing to these forums are provided below. Once you have completed Unit VIII, you MUST unsubscribe from the forum; otherwise, you will continue to receive updates from the forum. You will not be able to unsubscribe after your course end date. Click here for instructions on how to subscribe/unsubscribe and post to the Communication Forums. Ask the Professor This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content questions. Questions may focus on Blackboard locations of online course components, textbook or course content elaboration, additional guidance on assessment requirements, or general advice from other students. Questions that are specific in nature, such as inquiries regarding assessment/assignment grades or personal accommodation requests, are NOT to be posted on this forum. If you have questions, comments, or concerns of a nonpublic nature, please feel free to your professor. Responses to your post will be addressed or ed by the professor within 48 hours. Before posting, please ensure that you have read all relevant course documentation, including the syllabus, assessment/assignment instructions, faculty feedback, and other important information. Student Break Room This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. Communication on this forum should always maintain a standard of appropriateness and respect for your fellow classmates. This forum should NOT be used to share assessment answers. Grading Units I & II Reflection Papers 12%) = 24% Units III & IV Reflection Papers 13%) = 26% Unit V Project Topic = 4% Unit VI PowerPoint Presentation = 12% Unit VII Course Project = 22% Unit VIII Scholarly Activity = 12% Total = 100% Course Schedule/Checklist (PLEASE PRINT) The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to assist you through this course. By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 5

6 HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations Course Schedule By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. Please keep this schedule for reference as you progress through your course. Unit I National Incident Management System Unit Study Guide Chapter 11: National Incident Management System and Incident Command System Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Reflection Paper Unit II Terrorism Response Protocols Unit Study Guide Chapter 8: The National Strategy for Homeland Security Chapter 10: The Homeland Security Cycle Reflection Paper Unit III Terrorist Attacks of 9/11 Unit Study Guide Chapter 4: The Development of Homeland Security Reflection Paper Unit IV Protective Measures Utilized at the Scene of a Terrorist Attack Unit Study Guide Chapter 5: The Department of Homeland Security Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Reflection Paper HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 6

7 HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations Course Schedule Unit V Mitigating the Impact of a Potential Terrorist Attack Unit Study Guide Chapter 7: Anti-terrorism and Counter-terrorism Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Project Topic Unit VI Terrorism Response Operations Unit Study Guide Chapter 6: Homeland Security Community PowerPoint Presentation Unit VII Plan for Post-Terrorism Recovery Unit Study Guide Chapter 3: Modern Terrorism and Natural Disasters Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Course Project Unit VIII Benefit of Interoperability to Terrorism Response Operations Unit Study Guide Chapter 11: National Incident Management System and Incident Command System, pp Chapter 14: Homeland Security Communication and Technology Issues Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Scholarly Activity HLS 3303, Terrorism Response Operations 7