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HD3210 Unconventional Threats in Homeland Defense and Security

The purpose of this course is to introduce homeland defense and security leaders to the structural and analytical dynamics of terrorism, hybrid, organized crime, and other evolving unconventional threats the nation must effectively defend against. It considers those who act as individuals, in small groups or in large organizations. It provides tools for quickly exposing vulnerabilities from secular and religious threats to the nation. The course teaches students how to contribute to and design effective policies and strategies for countering and responding to unconventional threats. These include both lethal and non-lethal approaches across the threat spectrum based on an understanding of its organizational and operational dynamics. Rational actor, organizational, social psychological, military and law enforcement theories and frameworks are considered. The student’s analytical capabilities rather than historical or tactical knowledge are the primary focus of the course. Enrollment limited to students in Curriculum 692.

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

0

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate ability to understand the epistemological influence on decision making in the HLS threat environment.
  • Demonstrate the ability to understand, critique, and synthesize models, concepts, and facts covered in the readings as they apply to HLS scenarios.
  • Demonstrate an ability to engage constructively with alternative viewpoints and ambiguous empiricism.
  • Demonstrate the ability to engage in rigorous evidence-based analysis based on a range of HLS relevant frameworks.
  • Demonstrate the ability to create new applications for existing theories and models.
  • Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate analysis to stakeholders in multiple formats.
  • Demonstrate the ability to analyze extremist source material.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the different types of sub-state violence typically encountered by HLS leaders. Including, insurgency, terrorism, gang violence, organized crime, narco-terrorism and related forms.