Comparative Homeland Security Systems

Catalog description

This course will encourage students to become cosmopolitan citizens by gaining knowledge and understanding of cultures other than those of the United States. Students will learn to recognize others' values and, ultimately, accept the many ways in which we all are human. For example, using the Irish struggle for independence from Britain and the Troubles as examples, students will examine Anglo and Irish "culture" and how it is influenced by or how it can influence nation-state security, or conversely, the fight for civil liberties and independence. The main systems and structures in both the US and the UK's domestic security enterprises will be discussed as well as the origins, typologies and goals of several terrorist groups, the basics of the intelligence community in both nations, and how intelligence informs the struggle to contain terrorism. In addition, for homeland security majors, this course can satisfy either the terrorism requirement or the intelligence systems requirement (see instructors). Although a major objective of the course is to prepare students to participate successfully in a managed study abroad program (as a separate course: HLS 656 , 1 credit), participation in the study abroad trip is a not required component of this course.