Skip to main content
Photo of a student studying in a library

Course Description


Homeland Security - HS 102

Understanding Terrorism

3 Credit Hours
3 Lecture Hours

Course Description

This course will introduce students to the phenomena of contemporary terrorism and extremism. Students will see special emphasis on extremism as the foundation for terrorist behavior, types of terrorism and how governments and law enforcement agencies respond to terrorism. The first steps are to understand the mindset, the groups, the aims and the tools terrorists use.

Prerequisites

(A requirement that must be completed before taking this course.)

  • None.

Course Competencies

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

  • Explain the aims of terrorism and how terrorism affects you and your community.
  • Compare key elements of terrorism along the spectrum of conflict.
  • Develop a definition of terrorism.
  • Analyze the organizational structures, weapons and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) used by terrorist organizations.
  • Identify key similarities and differences among the various types of terrorist actors.
  • Analyze a terrorism case study to identify actors, ideology, weapons and the impact on that community.
  • Examine the ramifications of how the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security and the fight against terrorism are balanced against infringing on the Constitution and the Rights of the people.
  • Summarize the bureaucratic challenges plaguing a cohesive integration of effort between local law enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security in combating terrorism.
  • Identify the possible vulnerabilities on the part of the Department of Homeland Security and law enforcement in the future fight against terrorism.

Course Schedule

Currently no sections of this class are being offered.

Key: Day of the Week

  • T = Tuesday
  • R = Thursday
  • S = Saturday
  • X = Sunday