Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

Homeland Security (HSS)

HSS 120 -  Introduction to Homeland Security  

This course is a general introduction to the foundations of homeland security, counter-terrorism, infrastructure protection, intelligence operations and other mechanics of the homeland defense field. This course also includes an overview of the legal, sociopolitical and criminal justice aspects of homeland security.

Credits: 3

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

Thematic Thread(s): Citizenship & Social Problems, Institutions & Human Innovations, Transfer Thread Completion Course

HSS 130 -  Principles of Emergency Management  

This course will introduce the foundations of emergency management and discuss the emergency management cycle. The concept of the whole community approach will be emphasized along with the tools and resources used in emergency management situations. An emergency exercise will be assigned and special topics unique to emergencies will be explored.

Credits: 3

Thematic Thread(s): Cultural Literacy & Community Building, Human Diversity & Well-Being, Transfer Thread Completion Course

HSS 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 computer skills needed for academic success. 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.

HSS 170 -  Lenses of Catastrophe  

Lenses of Catastrophe asks students to examine the interdisciplinary approach of disasters. Disasters, whether stemming from natural or manmade hazards, can impact the entire spectrum of disciplines and industries. This course looks at disasters from the perspective of different fields and how they have been impacted by past events.

Credits: 3

Enrollment limited to students with the ROCK STUDIES 2 STUDENT or ROCK STUDIES STUDENT attributes.

HSS 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

HSS 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

HSS 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

HSS 210 -  Fundamentals of Terrorism  

This course will explore the complex issues surrounding terrorism. In terms of terrorism, the topics addressed may include: complexities of defining it, types of terrorists, causes of terrorism, methods used to achieve their goals, environments, funding and support, structure and counter-terrorist measures, and the issues the criminal justice system faces when trying to prevent, detect, and investigate it.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Spring Terms

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Corporate Security, Homeland Security, CERT - Fraud, CERT - Homeland Security, CERT - Organizational Security, Fraud, Homeland Security or Organizational Security.

HSS 230 -  Risk Analysis and Strategic Planning  

This course provides an overview of principles of risk analysis and management, including vulnerability and threat identification, assessing risk threats, security survey methodology, emergency management and response strategies.

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

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall Terms

HSS 250 -  Managing Natural, Man-Made and Technological Disasters  

This course will discuss the history of natural, technological and manmade (intentional) disasters. (e.g., 1918 Pandemic, Great Flood of 1923, 1994 Northridge Earthquake, Coronavirus 19, September 11th). Students will analyze the complex nature of disasters, identifying overriding themes while examining lessons learned and best practices to handle specific types of disasters.

Credits: 3

HSS 260 -  Emergency Management Planning  

This course will provide an in-depth analysis of planning methodologies and constructs as well as pitfalls and limiting factors in the development and execution of emergency management plans at the strategic, operational and tactical levels. The origins of emergency management planning, applicable policies and legislation will be reviewed. The course will also examine historical incident review and analysis, contemporary and emerging planning doctrine, and advanced planning concepts.

Prerequisite: HSS 130C
C Requires minimum grade of C.

Credits: 3

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Corporate Security, Homeland Security, CERT - Fraud, CERT - Homeland Security, CERT - Organizational Security, Fraud, Homeland Security or Organizational Security.

HSS 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

HSS 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

HSS 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

HSS 300 -  Terrorist Organizations and Lone Wolves  

This course will allow students to study the ideological evolution, the behavioral indicators, recruitment styles, organizational styles, financing methods, and tactics for specific domestic and international terrorist organizations. Issues such as the radicalization and behavioral indicators of both terrorist organization and lone wolves will be discussed as well.

Prerequisite: HSS 210C
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, Homeland Security, CERT - Fraud, CERT - Homeland Security, CERT - Organizational Security, Fraud, Homeland Security or Organizational Security.

HSS 310 -  Weapons of Mass Destruction  

This course will examine the threat and use of nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological weapons and their implications to the Homeland. The course will evaluate means of proliferation and countermeasures overseas and within the Homeland.

Prerequisite: HSS 210C
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, Homeland Security, CERT - Fraud, CERT - Homeland Security, CERT - Organizational Security, Fraud, Homeland Security or Organizational Security.

HSS 320 -  Protecting Infrastructure and Key Assets  

This course focuses on the protection of critical infrastructure, including information and telecommunication systems, water supply, energy, first responders, transportation, health/medical and other key assets.

Prerequisite: HSS 230C
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.

HSS 330 -  Intelligence Operations  

This course encompasses the development and use of national security and policing intelligence, and includes theoretical and practical models of intelligence in governmental and private security environments.

Prerequisite: HSS 210C
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.

HSS 340 -  Intelligence for Homeland Security  

This course will examine intelligence operations for the Homeland Security Enterprise at the state and local level, within the Department of Homeland Security, and within the private sector. The course will utilize intelligence tradecraft to assess current threats, trends, hazards, and vulnerabilities in the Homeland. The course will also prepare students to write intelligence briefs.

Prerequisite: HSS 330C
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 Homeland Security.

HSS 350 -  Securing Virtual Infrastructure  

This course will examine the implications of the growing cybersecurity environment. The course will discuss targeted systems, threat adversaries, attack methods, and recovery and mitigation processes.

Prerequisite: HSS 230C
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 Homeland Security.

HSS 360 -  Social Dimensions of Disaster  

This class will analyze how individuals, groups, families, organizations, communities and countries, handle disasters before, during, and after they occur. The vulnerability of various social groups will be explored as well as reactions to disasters the stressors associated with disasters. Methods to reduce vulnerabilities and build local capacity will be covered.

Prerequisites: HSS 250C or HSS 260C
C Requires minimum grade of C.

Credits: 3

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 - Emergency Management, Emergency Management, Corporate Security, Homeland Security, Fraud or Organizational Security.

HSS 370 -  Research in Disasters and Emergency Management  

This course will describe in detail how research is conducted in disasters and emergency management how to read and understand scholarly work; and apply related studies from the field of disaster research. Students will be taught how to evaluate open-source data for construction of research projects. The basic foundations of how to conduct qualitative research studies geared towards disaster research will be provided.

Prerequisite: HSS 250C
C Requires minimum grade of C.

Credits: 3

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 - Emergency Management, Emergency Management, Corporate Security, Homeland Security, Fraud or Organizational Security.

HSS 380 -  Crisis & Emergency Risk Communication  

Disasters mandate effective communication. This course will analyze communication theory to examine common challenges and best practices encountered in emergency, crisis and risk communication situations by public information officers, public authorities, first responders, and health professionals. It will explore the opportunity to develop strategies and communication solutions in interpersonal, mediated, social media, and public contexts.

Prerequisite: HSS 250C
C Requires minimum grade of C.

Credits: 3

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 - Emergency Management, Emergency Management, Corporate Security, Homeland Security, Fraud or Organizational Security.

HSS 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.

HSS 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.

HSS 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.

HSS 441 -  Terrorism, Law and National Security  

This course will discuss terrorism-its structure, causes, and illegal financing and the evolution of domestic and international laws evolving to deal with terrorism and national security.

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.

HSS 450 -  Internship HS  

Supervised placement and research in selected public and private agencies. Permission of instructor.

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.

HSS 460 -  Capstone in Homeland Security  

The Capstone class applies student professional proficiency, communication skills, ethical understanding, cultural awareness and critical thinking towards the completion of a capstone project that demonstrates competency in multiple aspects of homeland security and defense.

Prerequisite: HSS 340C
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 Homeland Security.

HSS 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.

HSS 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.

HSS 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.