HLS 190.  Introduction to Homeland Security   (3).

Introduces the principles and practices associated with homeland security, development, structure and roles of the homeland security system in America including missions and functions, operational processes, risk analysis, and defense and response actions. The federal system and the roles of state, local, territorial and tribal governments are considered as is the role of the private sector in the system.

HLS 235.  Tools and Techniques of Cybercrime   (3).

Cross-listed as CJ 235, AC 235. Introduces students to the basic cybercrime tools, techniques and concepts to better prepare for today’s information technology in criminal justice. Tools and techniques used by cybercriminals and cybercrime investigators, such as Tor, IP addresses, VPN, OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence), and data sharing and analysis, are discussed concerning cybercrime prevention, mitigation and investigations. Some concepts discussed include privacy, surveillance, artificial intelligence and biometrics. The course prepares students for further cybercrime and cybersecurity courses.

HLS 310.  Emergency Management   (3).

Surveys emergency planning and response to large scale disasters, threats and major incidents in the United States. Risks, threats and response by level of government from local, state and national are examined. Examines best practices used in emergency management.

HLS 312.  Risk Assessment   (3).

Introduces students to the basic methods of risk and vulnerability assessment. Critiques critical infrastructure protection and attack prevention techniques. Introduces gathering and assessing intelligence relating to risk and vulnerability.

HLS 320.  Border Security   (3).

The evolution of borders, the rise of nation-states, and the concept of bordering is explored. Analyzes historical and contemporary issues and challenges impacting border security management such as trade, travel, terrorism, crime, immigration and globalization. Throughout the course, students examine the substantial vulnerability of our nation’s land borders, coastal areas, seaports, inland waterways and airports, including transportation-specific threats. Law, politics, policy and operational enforcement strategies are critiqued, as are the various agencies charged with maintaining security along our borders. Additionally, students become acquainted with transportation and maritime security, including systems and measures implemented to facilitate the safe movement of cargo and passengers, both internationally and domestically. Cyber, economic and technological threats and challenges impacting borders and border security are also considered.

HLS 330.  Legal Issues in Homeland Security   (3).

Overview of the relationship between the needs of homeland security, and the traditional concepts of civil liberties within the U.S. legal system. Covers legal issues in the constitutional amendments including First, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth and 14th amendments. Emphasizes the role of law, the government’s demand for more power, and civil liberties.

HLS 401.  Cyber Security   (3).

Covers concepts related to cyber-attack, penetration testing, cyber intelligence, reverse engineering and cryptanalysis. Students learn how security infrastructure integrates with the rest of the business and IT infrastructure, through the use of hands-on projects.

HLS 403.  Physical Security   (3).

Examines the premises and concepts of emergency design and application principles. Physical security surveys, integrated physical security technology systems, barriers, risk identification and mitigation are examined.

HLS 405.  Intelligence Process   (3).

Acquaints students with the intelligence process related to homeland security. Intelligence strategies used in homeland security and law enforcement are introduced. The collection, analysis, sharing and dissemination of information within and between local, state and federal authorities is examined.

HLS 420.  Terrorism   (3).

Cross-listed as CJ 581W. Introduces students to the phenomena of contemporary terrorism and extremism. Emphasizes extremism as a foundation for terrorist behavior, types of terrorism, and how governments and law enforcement agencies respond to terrorism. Particular emphasis is on domestic and home-grown terrorism. Introduces theoretical approaches to the study of terrorism. Weaves a thread of extremist literature and perspectives throughout the semester. Highlights the role of law enforcement and other public administrative agencies.

HLS 435.  Cybercrime   (3).

Introduces students to the nature and types of cybercrime, legislation and criminal justice responses to combat cybercrime, and the role of information security in preventing and detecting cyber threats. As a growing transnational crime, cybercrime in this course may cover relevant criminological theories, hacking characteristics, the role of transnational organized crime and criminal enterprises, federal laws and responses, and investigative tools, among many other topics. Students review adjudicated federal cases and develop incident responses to simulated security incidents.

HLS 450.  Homeland Security Capstone   (3).

A survey course designed to allow students in their final year of undergraduate study to utilize the skills and knowledge from other homeland security courses, in combination with topic specific information, to address current issues in homeland security. Students analyze current issues to better understand the politics, policy, law, economics and social concerns associated with each issue. Finally, students apply their knowledge and perspective to examining, researching and providing solutions to real problems facing real agencies in our community. Capstone course. Prerequisite(s): HLS 190, HLS 310, HLS 312, HLS 320, HLS 403, HLS 405, HLS 420.

HLS 470.  Special Topics   (3).

An umbrella course created to explore a variety of subtopics differentiated by letter (e.g., 470A, 470B). Not all subtopics are offered each semester – see the course schedule for availability. Students enroll in the lettered courses with specific topics in the titles rather than in this root course.

HLS 470A.  Immigration Policy and Politics   (3).

General education social and behavioral sciences course. Cross-listed as POLS 391W, POLS 391WH. Examines the history of legislation and policies enacted by the U.S. government to control the flow of legal and illegal immigration into the United States. Critiques the effectiveness of past and present immigration laws and policies in combating transnational crime and terrorism. Identifies issues and challenges of enforcing immigration laws from political, cultural and societal perspectives. Students also explore possible future immigration reform measures and the political, economic and national security impact of such actions.

HLS 470B.  The History of U.S. Homeland Security   (3).

Examines the history of the United States’ response to internal foreign threats, from the founding of the republic to the present day. Students examine the cultural, religious, economic, and political factors influencing what Americans identified as threats, and how these factors influenced how they responded to them. Students also explore possible future threats and responses, based on the United States’ history in dealing with internal foreign threats.

HLS 470C.  Jihadist Terrorism   (3).

Examines the roots of Islam, Salafism and Jihadism in the Muslim World, and how these streams of religious thought have given rise to and fueled global terrorism. Students explore the forces that shaped the current form of Salafist Jihadism. Students also learn how this ideology has driven some of its adherents to commit acts of terror inside the United States and abroad. Finally, students learn how both this ideology and the terrorism it generates varies by region.

HLS 470D.  Insider Threat: Identification, Mitigation, Deterrence and Prevention   (3).

Cross-listed as CJ 381CD. Explores the ever-growing danger of insider threats faced by government agencies and business entities. Students examine strategies used in the identification, mitigation, deterrence and prevention of insider threats within public and private sectors. Analyze issues and challenges of these threats regarding espionage, embezzlement, sabotage, fraud, intellectual property theft, and research and development theft, from current and former employees, within government or business organizations. Students review real-life case scenarios of insider threats.