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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The risks posed by trusted insiders to organizations in both the public and private sector are well documented. Past compromises of national security information have provided sensitive information to US adversaries; theft or compromise of proprietary data and intellectual property has impacted businesses large and small; and, incidents of workplace violence perpetrated by insiders are on the rise. This course provides context for the counter insider threat mission and explores multi-disciplinary insider risk management concepts. The course addresses matters of policy, political and socio-economic impacts, psychological factors, and gives special consideration to issues of cyber insider threat, privacy and civil liberties, kinetic violence, and related social and behavioral science research.

Multidisciplinary perspectives on intentional, malicious behavior by insiders. Reviews theoretical foundations from social psychology, personality psychology, psychopathology, and criminology and encourages students to understand Insider Threat (InT) behaviors through case conceptualization/formulation. Emphasis shall be placed on understanding the "fit" between different strategies for interviewing, investigating, early warning, monitoring, and mitigation, as well as the dynamics of a given case.

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.