HLSC 510 Homeland Security Organization & Administration

This course will examine the evolution of Homeland Security as a concept, a legal framework, a redirection of national policies and priorities and also the actual implementation and creation of the Department of Homeland Security. The course provides an overview of the history of terrorist threats and U.S. responses and an introduction to the fundamental policy legislation and documents, such as national security strategies, homeland security directives, the National Response Framework (NRF), and National Incident Management System (NIMS).

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.


The purpose of this course is to analyze core policy, procedures, and legislation which create and build upon the foundation of homeland security.


Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussion Assignments (8)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided topic for each discussion. Each thread is to be at least 750 words, cite at least 2 sources, and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 250 words and supported with literature.

Research Paper: History of Homeland Security Assignment

The student will complete a Research Paper which will provide an in-depth and detailed chronological history of homeland security before it was considered homeland security. In other words, describe what used to be in place for homeland security from the founding of the country up to when it became about civil defense. This section might be brief. Then cover the civil defense period in more detail. Finally, cover the period from 9/11 forward. Another way of viewing this timeline is from the founding to WWII, then post WWII to 9/11, then forward. Be sure to discuss emergency management (mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery issues) and homeland security (same as emergency management subtopics but also national security strategies, intelligence, counterterrorism, etc.). There is much to be covered in each time period: legal framework, policy development, Acts, laws, Preparedness directives, executive orders, and case law, etc. Consider the founding fathers and their documents as well. Consider Biblical foundations as well. The student will write at minimum a 5-full page research-oriented paper in current APA format. The paper must include at least 5 sources (not including the class textbook and the Bible) and the textbook and Bible. The paper will be submitted through Turnitin.

Research Paper: History of Terrorism Assignment

The student will complete a Research Paper which will provide an in-depth and detailed chronological history of terrorism as it pertains to the United States be it domestic or international be the activity on U.S. soil or abroad. The timeline will start with the founding of the country. You may create the timeline as you wish but you might consider from founding to WWI, post WWI to 1989 or 1990, then from 1990 onward or you may wish to create one more milestone that begins in 1990 to 9/11 then post 9/11. Be sure to cover types of terrorism, tactics, event history – growth and development, issues, and our responses, national security strategies or tactics for each era. Describe the linkage / responsibilities between local, state, and federal involvement. You do not need to go into detail on each group or type but do need to illustrate the types of groups etc. Discuss biblical relevance as well. The student will write at minimum a 5-full page research-oriented paper in current APA format. The paper must include at least 5 sources (not including the class textbook and the Bible) also use the textbook and Bible. The paper will be submitted through Turnitin.

PowerPoint Presentation: Governor Briefing Assignment

A new governor has come into office and was told you were the best out there on homeland security and emergency management. This governor is a novice in this area and badly needs to get up to speed quickly. He or she has asked you to provide a detailed briefing to him or her and the executive staff / cabinet heads. Your assignment is to brief the governor and staff on all things they need to know right away regarding homeland security and emergency management. Be sure to cover applicable homeland security and presidential directives, the National Response Framework (NRF), National Incident Management System (NIMS), and Incident Command System (ICS). Cover applicable Acts such as the Stafford Act etc. Also, be sure to explain and show the linkage / relationship between local, state, and federal involvement. You want to make sure the governor and staff are ready for any emergency that occurs. The student will summarize his or her findings in an audio/visual PPT presentation. The student will use PowerPoint (PPT) Mix, which may be turned into a Windows Media Video (WMV), to present and record his or her information. A minimum of fifteen content slides are required not including the cover and reference slides. The student will at the minimum use the same headings as listed previously in these instructions. The presentation needs to be at least ten minutes long and should last no more than 30 minutes maximum. References will be included on the last slide. Once submitted for grading the student will email his or her PPT video to the rest of the class for their review. The student does not have to show him or herself in the video unless they wish to.


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