Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Slippery Rock University

Corporate Security (CSS)

CSS 100 -  Modern Security  

This course will explore the ever-changing security environment confronting domestic governments in securing its homeland, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and individuals. This course will discuss the history of security, the sub-topics of security, and whether insecurities can be eliminated, prevented, or merely managed. Students will apply risk assessment procedures, devise solutions to complex security issues, and weigh the strengths and weaknesses of those solutions. The student will be able to assess the complexity of solving modern day security problems when confronting economic limitations, policy and legal implications, and the feasibility of providing security to diverse populations.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Enrollment limited to students with the ROCK STUDIES STUDENT attribute.

CSS 120 -  Introduction to Private Security  

This course will provide an overview of the private security field and the numerous complexities within it. Topics include but are not limited to an overview of private security, the basic goals and responsibilities of the industry, the challenges facing security, and various security systems for infrastructure, institutional and commercial organizations.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

CSS 139 -  Foundations of Academic Discovery  

Foundations of Academic Discovery serves as the entry point to the Rock Integrated Studies Program. With its strong faculty-student interaction, the course promotes intellectual inquiry, critical and creative thinking, and academic excellence. Through varied content, the course introduces students to academic discourse and information literacy while exploring topics such as diversity and inclusion and global awareness. This course will set students along the path to becoming engaged with issues and scholarship important to a 21st century education while they learn about themselves and their place in the world.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Freshman 1 or Freshman 2.
Enrollment limited to students with the ROCK STUDIES 2 STUDENT or ROCK STUDIES STUDENT attributes.

CSS 190 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CSS 195 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic. The course outline will be determined by the instructor based on key developments, trends or specialized content within homeland security. Permission of instructor.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CSS 198 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CSS 210 -  Physical Security  

This course discusses the methods, processes, and policies surrounding the security protection of the workplace. Students will study the historical roots of physical protection of assets, cultural contexts and interpretations of security efforts, as well as the way modern technology is changing the methods and focus of protection programs. The important elements of physical barriers, electronic controls and surveillance, and procedural efforts to secure assets will be examined. The role of the Security Manager in regulated workspaces will be discussed.

Prerequisite: CSS 120D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Spring Terms

CSS 240 -  Security Management  

This course will examine the security department's role and function within an organization and the activities associated with operating and managing the department. This course will also look at how to manage various relationships security professionals encounter both internally and externally.

Prerequisite: CSS 120C
C Requires minimum grade of C.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall Terms

CSS 290 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CSS 295 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic. The course outline will be determined by the instructor based on key developments, trends or specialized content within homeland security. Permission of instructor.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CSS 298 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CSS 300 -  Personnel Security  

This course discusses the structures, processes, and regulations surrounding the security protection of people in the workplace. Students will study and weigh the advantages and legal restrictions of background checks as a condition of employment. Protection of workers in general, as well as programs to safeguard executives, workers in controversial industries/fields, and the design of policies and programs providing protection for workers with special issues outside the workplace will be examined. Defining, preventing and reacting to workplace violence will be explored.

Prerequisites: CSS 120D or HSS 120D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CSS 310 -  Organizational Continuity and Resilience  

The ability of an organization to quickly and effectively “snap back” from a crisis can impact availability of life saving products, organizational viability, and a positive public reputation. This course will introduce the concepts of protecting people, products, resources, and reputation through a thoughtful and effective pre-crisis planning process emphasizing a return to normalcy. Expanding the security manager’s role to consider protection of resources specifically vulnerable to various rare-event threats, students will learn strategies for contingency planning. The impact of public/private partnerships in resilience planning and contrast/connection to emergency management will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: CSS 240C
C Requires minimum grade of C.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CSS 320 -  Security Risk and Emergency Management  

This course will provide guidance how to conduct risk assessments, handle emergencies and develop and implement business contingency and disaster recovery plans. students will learn how to develop and use risk surveys and other information gathering techniques, and design and implement controls by understanding cost/benefit analysis, crime prediction, response planning and business impact analysis.

Prerequisite: CSS 240C
C Requires minimum grade of C.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CSS 351 -  Fraud  

Approximately 5% of U.S. organizations annual revenues are lost to fraud each year. This course explores the historical and social problems created by fraud, the ethical and legal issues fraud presents to organizations and our economy; and the principles of fraud detection, examination, and prevention organizations employ to combat fraud in order to minimize both economic losses and a loss of jobs.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall, Winter, & Summer

Thematic Thread(s): Citizenship & Social Problems, Transfer Thread Completion Course, United Stated in Global Context

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CSS 352 -  Law & Ethics in the Workplace  

This course explores the historical, legal, ethical and practical implications of legal rights of workers in organizational relationships. This course will provide the historical evolution of protective legislation for workers and the continual refinement of common law to workers'' rights. Ethical issues not addressed by the law will be explored as well as t he importance of diversity in order to provide maximum growth for society and all individuals.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Winter, Spring&Summer

Thematic Thread(s): Citizenship & Social Problems, Human Diversity & Well-Being, Transfer Thread Completion Course

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CSS 354 -  Risk Assessment and Fraud Prevention  

Every level of today's organizations must make ethics and organizational integrity a priority. Controlling for risk and preventing fraud are critical skills leaders in every organization will be called upon to exercise. Focus must be placed on fraud prevention, internal controls, compliance with regulations and other risk exposure. Students will apply course concepts to their own disciplines.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Spring Terms Even

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CSS 360 -  Specialized Fraud Schemes  

This course will examine specialized frauds such as identity theft, financial institution fraud, payment fraud, insurance fraud, healthcare fraud, contract and procurement fraud, tax fraud, and bankruptcy fraud. A thorough analysis of money laundering and its place in specialized fraud schemes will be reviewed. For each type of specialized fraud, we will explore the various types of fraud schemes within these specialized frauds and the controls that can be implemented to prevent or detect them.

Prerequisites: CSS 351D and ACCT 209D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall Terms Even

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment is limited to students with a program in CERT - Fraud, Fraud or Organizational Security.

CSS 370 -  Fraud Law and Report Writing  

This course will examine both domestic and international laws surrounding fraud. We will discuss the special non-governmental agencies assisting in the fight against fraud domestically and worldwide and their recommended compliance guidelines. In this class we will also discuss how to write an effective fraud report for various audiences. Ethical responsibilities of a fraud examiner will also be examined.

Prerequisite: CSS 351D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Spring Terms Odd

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Fraud.

CSS 390 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CSS 395 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic. The course outline will be determined by the instructor based on key developments, trends or specialized content within homeland security. Permission of instructor.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CSS 398 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CSS 420 -  Fraud Examination  

This course will expose the student to an in-depth analysis of the fraud schemes perpetrated by those within and external to organizations. the elements of fraud schemes, the red flags associated with each scheme and how the scheme can be prevented and detected will be analyzed. This course will also emphasize financial statement fraud, and external fraud schemes from customers, vendors and unrelated third parties. Corporate espionage will also be covered.

Prerequisite: CSS 351C
C Requires minimum grade of C.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall Terms Odd

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Corporate Security.

CSS 430 -  Corporate Security Law  

This course will cover the pertinent security laws surrounding an investigation and developing a case for prosecution. It will also cover the various laws security professionals can breach while conducting security investigations.

Prerequisite: CSS 351C
C Requires minimum grade of C.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Corporate Security, Fraud or Organizational Security.

CSS 440 -  Corporate Security Investigation  

This course will provide the fundamentals of corporate security investigations, the methods used in an investigation, how to build a case, apply investigative strategies, use investigative technology and write an effective report. The course will also emphasize the ethics, values and laws one must consider when conducting an effective investigation.

Prerequisite: CSS 351C
C Requires minimum grade of C.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Corporate Security, Fraud or Organizational Security.

CSS 450 -  Internship  

Supervised placement and research in selected public and private agencies.

Credits: 3-9

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CSS 460 -  Corporate Security Capstone  

Student will apply and demonstrate prior knowledge, skills and abilities to a major project which will be communicated both in written and oral forms. This course will cover current topics in corporate security and current global issues challenging security. A discussion of professional ethics, proper etiquette and interviewing skills, negotiation and conflict resolution skills will also be discussed.

Prerequisites: CSS 440C and CSS 430C
C Requires minimum grade of C.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Spring Terms

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Senior 1 or Senior 2.
Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Corporate Security.

CSS 490 -  Independent Study  

Independent Study courses give students the opportunity to pursue research and/or studies that are not part of the university's traditional course offerings. students work on one or in small groups with faculty guidance and are typically required to submit a final paper or project as determined by the supervising professor.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CSS 495 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic. The course outline will be determined by the instructor based on key developments, trends or specialized content within homeland security. Permission of instructor.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CSS 498 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.