Course Descriptions

HSM 101 - Introduction to Emergency Management
This course is intended to provide information that will enable persons just entering the profession or expanding their roles to have the ability to work with emergency management issues. The course provides an overview of the characteristics, functions, and resources of an integrated system and how various emergency management services work together in an integration of resources and capabilities. In addition, this course will provide and analysis of current actions and threats impacting emergency management. Emphasis will be placed on how this system is applied to all hazards for all government levels, across the four phases and all functions of emergency management. 3 Credits.

HSM 102 - Introduction to Homeland Security
This course is an introduction to the concept of homeland security. The course will define and explain homeland security. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be thoroughly analyzed and its mission will be investigated. This course will also address the threat of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive devices and the use of these weapons of mass destruction. The importance and basic elements of a planned response, methods used to prevent the importation of weapons of mass destruction into the U.S. and what is being and what can be done to prevent another large-scale terrorist incident in the United States will be covered. 3 Credits.

HSM 103 - Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Terrorism and Homeland Security
Terrorism and defending against it are not modern concepts. In fact, terrorism has its roots back in ancient times as well as since before the Revolutionary War here in the Western Hemisphere. This course is about understanding terrorism, counter-terrorism, violence, and how they have impacted America. Students will learn about historical examples of terrorism beginning with ancient times and extending through the post 9/11 period. Course content will include coverage of various terrorist events at home and abroad, America’s governmental response, its impact to public and private sectors and individuals. Students will also learn about how past and current experiences with terrorism are defining future strategies. 3 Credits.

HSM 107 - Social Media: Issues and Impacts
An introduction to the field of social media. This course will define and explain social media and its impact on personal, organizational and global security. The course will address issues related to the responsible and effective use of social media; and the exploitation of information for social, economic, political and criminal gain. Students will need to access and use social media apps as part of this course. 3 Credits.

HSM 108 - Introduction to Intelligence Processes
This course will provide a study of the United States government's intelligence community as well as an overview of the intelligence processes. This study will include a historical look at intelligence and some of its milestones. Discussed will be key terms, concepts and perspectives. Students will be exposed to the relationship of intelligence with law enforcement and homeland security and how some intelligence processes may be applied to emergency management and pre-incident planning. 3 Credits.

HSM 202 - Organizational and Facility Security
This course will provide students with a comprehensive overview of physical security policies, procedures, techniques and equipment. Topics covered include perimeter protection, intrusion detection, access control, closed circuit television (CCTV), risk and vulnerability assessments, insurance requirements, business continuity planning and acts of violence. The focus of this course will be on traditional methods of physical security (e.g. hardware, risk assessments, and business continuity). This course will also examine developing security technology and its application to reduce internal and external threats to businesses and organizations. 3 Credits.