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The Homeland Security Studies program provides students who aspire to managerial and leadership roles with the fundamentals of the origins and nature of the threat while providing the theory and practice of threat assessment and information analysis. Students may earn a Bachelor's degree, a minor or a post baccalaureate certificate. Our program provides a detailed overview of the two broad homeland security categories of terrorism and disasters from a managerial prospective with a decided emphasis on leadership and decision making. The rapid rate of change is a constant and the ability to assess, analyze and act in a dynamic environment are essential elements of this program. Recent natural disasters and the arrival of international terrorism to the continental United States have made homeland security a rapidly growing field with a high demand for skilled leadership and informed management. Protection of international borders, protection and reconstitution of transportation networks and other vital infrastructure as well as the safety of both citizens and security forces is addressed in detail. This and the requirement and means of maintaining and restoring civil jurisdiction and a functional government are essential pillars of this program. Disruption of civil society and rule of law as well as the damage and destruction of key infrastructure can, will and has occurred as a result of disasters both manmade and natural. Terrorism by its nature disrupts and destroys based on a political, religious or social agenda that can be detected, analyzed and countered. There is definable overlap in each category that the Homeland Security Studies program will identify and address in terms of preparation, response and recovery. The lessons learned from the impact of Hurricane Katrina and Rita is an integral part of the disaster, preparation, and response and recovery aspect of this program. Hurricanes are but one of a number of causes of natural disasters that range from earthquakes to flashfloods. While technological advances have improved the accuracy of forecasting, hurricanes can be neither prevented nor predicted with reliable accuracy. Therefore the preparation, response and recovery from a hurricane strike will be addressed in detail with an emphasis on the protection and restoration of vital infrastructure and the protection and preservation of human life and property. The maintenance and restoration of civil government, civil society and rule of law that is applicable to any disaster will be addressed as well. While natural disasters are apolitical events that can not be stopped but only prepared for and recovered from, terrorism is defined by the political, social and/or religious agenda of those who practice it as an extension of war or politics. While hurricanes and the like are beyond the control of terrorists, manmade disasters are but one means at the disposal of a terrorist organization. Creating a nuclear accident or incident along the lines of Chernobyl or Three Mile Island is certainly an example of a manmade disaster that would warrant the appropriate preparation response and recovery by agencies of Homeland security. The wide variety of actions that could be defined as terrorism means that countering terrorism presents a far more complex and difficult challenge then disaster preparation and response. The counter terrorism content of this program will based on a through understanding of the motivation and rationale of the current threat anchored in the historical and cultural underpinnings of the terrorist movements currently operating and that pose a threat to the United States and its allies. Understanding of the nature and rationale of the threat will be complemented by a through overview of the vital role of intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination. The course will focus on counter terrorism (CT) decision making both pro active and reactive that is based on intelligence and other factors that must be considered. These include the reality of civil liberties in a liberal democracy, public opinion and the best practices use of technology. While tactical decision making will be addressed, the focus of this program is at the managerial and strategic level of leadership. While CT planning and decision making must be grounded in the nature and capabilities of the threat it must also include the concept and methods of vulnerability assessments. New Orleans' status an international port and national rail head dictate a focus on maritime and transportation security. Students will learn how to assess port and rail security vulnerabilities and formulate solutions. In addition to identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities of these vital areas student will learn to plan and execute the preservation, prioritization and eventual reconstitution of all forms of critical infrastructure including civil government, rule of law and the physical security of citizens. The realities of providing security in a liberal democracy with the multiple layers of jurisdiction and overlapping authority that characterizes American Federalism will be incorporated into all aspects of this program. While the principles and methods that will taught in this course applies to a broad range of government agencies from local to the federal level, all courses will emphasize interagency cooperation and mutual support. The relationship between federal agencies to include the armed forces with state/local government is of particular interest. The creation and maintenance of a seamless command and control structure with clearly defined roles and missions and jurisdictional authority will be stressed. The Homeland Security Studies program will prepare students for leadership and management roles in the dynamic and complex mission of protection of the homeland and its citizens. The successful student will be well prepared to formulate policy, make plans and make decisions for both the preparation and response to natural disasters and acts of terrorism. Additionally students will become well versed in the concepts of deliberate and crisis planning in the context of interagency support and cooperation. For additional information on the Homeland Securities Studies Program please contact the director of Homeland Security Studies, Keith Amacker at the uptown campus [(504) 247-1662 or kamacker@tulane.edu.]. Class schedules and registration information are all found on the School of Continuing Studies website. |
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Bachelor of Arts Degree in Homeland Security Studies
Worksheet for Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security Studies
Minor in Homeland Security Studies
Post-baccalaureate certificate in Homeland Security Studies
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School of Continuing Studies | Tulane University | 125 Gibson Hall | New Orleans, LA 70118 | (504) 865-5555 | askscs@tulane.edu |
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