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Courses - Fall 2023
BSST
Terrorism Studies
BSST240
Understanding The Principles and Perils of CBRN Weapons
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg
GenEd: DSNL (if taken with BSST241) or DSNS
Additional information: If taken in the same term as BSST241 these courses will count for General Education Natural Sciences Lab.
Explores the 'dark side' of scientific applications. Students will gain an understanding of CBRN Weapons, through the exploration of the scientific method, and certain fundamental principles of chemistry, biology, and physics. Students will also learn how to test hypotheses, use basic statistics, interpret results, and apply their new knowledge through discussions of practical applications in the domains of public health, emergency management, epidemiology, and threat assessment. Bringing these fields together in one class will allow students to better understand the use of and threat from CBRN weapons in terrorism.
BSST241
Understanding the Principles and Perils of CBRN Weapons (Lab)
Credits: 1
Grad Meth: Reg
Corequisite: BSST240.
Additional information: This is an optional 1-credit lab course offered in coordination with BSST240. If taken in the same term as BSST240 these courses will count for General Education Natural Sciences Lab.
An exploration of the threat of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) weapons aimed to provide students with a basic, multidisciplinary, natural science foundation in chemistry, biology, and physics.
Students must also be enrolled in BSST240: Understanding the Principles and Perils of CBRN Weapons
BSST330
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg
Credit only granted for: BSST330 or BSST200.
Formerly: BSST330.
Theories explaining the formation of terrorist groups and the motivations behind terrorist behavior, building upon theories from social psychology, sociology, political science, criminology, and history. The course examines the different levels of analysis for terrorism studies, the different methods scholars utilize for research, and the most prominent datasets in the field of homeland security. In addition, this course provides a review of various terrorist groups and ideological movements. The course concludes with an introduction to the different approaches to counter violent extremism and terrorism.
BSST334
States of Emergency
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHS, SCIS
Students will explore the manner in which crises unfold from the perspective of a variety of emergency response disciplines, including: emergency management, law enforcement, intelligence analysis, cyber analysis, risk communication, health and human services, and emergency psychiatry/psychology. Students will participate in a semester-long simulation of an unfolding terrorist attack.
BSST335
Innovations in Countering Violent Extremism
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DVCC
Credit only granted for: BSST335 or BSST338V.
Formerly: BSST338V.
Additional information: It is recommended that BSST335 be taken after, or concurrent with, BSST330.
Introduces students to novel innovations in the development of Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) programs. CVE is a realm of policy, programs, and interventions designed to prevent individuals from engaging in violence associated with radical political, social, cultural, and/or religious ideologies. Unlike counterterrorism strategies that often focus on targeting and disrupting terrorist plots, CVE focuses on radicalization prevention through engagement and intervention with communities. CVE also focuses on deradicalization and rehabilitation of former extremists. Throughout the course, students will work in groups to develop their own innovative CVE programs, rather than merely learn about CVE through lectures.
Restricted to Global Terrorism Minor students (#BS07).
BSST340
Oral Communication for National Security Careers
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg
GenEd: FSOC
Credit only granted for: BSST340 or BSST338E.
Formerly: BSST338E.
Students will discuss perspectives on strategic communication and national security, while discussing and practicing public speaking skills and developing proficiency in three genres of security-related briefings. Students will work with the technical, scientific, and/or specialized data, vocabularies, processes, and products of the academic disciplines and/or fields of expertise relevant to national and international security careers.
BSST386
(Perm Req)
Experiential Learning in Terrorism Studies
Credits: 1 - 5
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F
This course will supplement student's experiential learning experience, or internship in the field of terrorism studies and homeland security with guided reflection on their experiences.
BSST630
Motivations and Intents of Terrorists and Terrorist Groups
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Examines motivations for terrorism from an interdisciplinary perspective, with emphasis on political and applied social psychological perspective. Topics may include: defining terrorism; preconditions; recruitment; domestic and international terrorism; and case studies and analysis of terrorist organizations.
BSST634
Legal and Criminal Approaches to Counterterrorism
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
The United States and many of her allies have challenged long-standing legal boundaries in their effort to combat terrorism. This course examines these responses, including: increased criminalization of terrorism related activities; aggressive criminal prosecutions; detention of suspected terrorists indefinitely in far-off prisons; implementation of enhanced interrogation techniques; launch of drones to kill alleged terrorists, even U.S. citizens; and deployment of a vast system of mass surveillance.
BSST635
Countering Violent Extremism: Policy and Practice
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
In recent years, the understanding of how and why individuals engage in violent extremism and terrorism has evolved and become more nuanced, as have the tools to mitigate these threats. A field of policy and practice called Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) has emerged that focuses on countering the pull of terrorist recruitment and influence by building resilience among populations vulnerable to radicalization.
BSST639
Applied Analysis for Security Studies
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to novel approaches for applied research in security studies. Topics include simulations, wargaming exercises, red teaming, and horizon scanning.
BSST640
Theories of Security and Terrorism Studies
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Additional information: Priority enrollment will be given to students in the MPS in Security and Terrorism Studies program.
Security and Terrorism Studies is a broad field that includes relevant theoretical voices from across the social sciences, philosophy, and policy. This course will mainly pull from sociological, psychological, and political science (international relations) theory to help students understand the theoretical foundation for the field and for their research. Specific topics may include discussion of power dynamics, ideology, violence, conflict, realist perspectives, and critical perspectives.
BSST642
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Development and mastery of analytic methods is vital for those seeking careers as professional analysts in fields related to security and terrorism studies. For students focused on an academic research career path, these skills will help you better interface with government and private sector consumers of your work. The overall goals for this course are to provide students with hands-on experience using analytic techniques to solve advanced problems. Classes will cover historical and current uses of analytic techniques and students will develop an understanding of which tools to use under different circumstances of analysis.
BSST697
(Perm Req)
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Restriction: Students must be currently enrolled in their final semester of the MPTS program and have completed a minimum of 27 program credits.
The capstone course allows MPS students the ability to take what they have learned throughout their coursework and apply theories, methods, analysis, and policy in the form of a final project. The project can originate from work experience or the student's interests. Projects will be developed in conjunction with a member of the graduate faculty who will oversee the student's progress. By the end of the semester, each student is expected to have completed their individual project. The project should further the student's intellectual and career goals and can take the form of practical analysis, policy, or a more academic approach. Students will present their capstone project in written form and will also be required to present their research via an online colloquium. Students are expected to meet with a capstone advisor at least once a week and will devote considerable time developing the project individually.