Security Studies Undergraduate Course Descriptions
Core Courses
- SECS 1000 – Introduction to Security Studies
Basic concepts and principles of security planning and program implementation across multiple academic disciplines with application at local, state, and federal levels of government as well as private and non-profit sectors. - CRIM 1000 – Introduction to Criminal Justice
Law enforcement, courts, and correctional systems. - POLS 2020 – Introduction to International Relations
May receive credit for one of POLS 2020, 2106. Basic concepts and principles of functioning of international system. War, peace, economics, diplomacy, arms control, and threats to peace. - POLS 3031 – Research Design in Political Science
Concepts and theories essential to research design, kinds of data, and measurement used to address political questions. - SECS 4000 – Senior Seminar in Security Studies
P: SECS 1000 and consent of instructor. Practical application and exercises in security studies to include threat-based scenarios, consequence management, and disaster assistance planning.
Cognate (Writing)
- POLS 2090 – Writing for Political Science
Organizing the research process in political science. Writing a research paper, writing an essay on political or policy subject for other audiences. - Or a program director approved rhetoric or writing course.
Elective Courses
Choose 24 hours of electives (8 classes). They must be from at least 4 different departments (prefixes) and no more than 12 hours from any one department.
- CRIM 3620 – Homeland Security
P: Criminal justice and criminology major or minor; CRIM 2004. Examination of homeland security in the United States, including apparatus, preparedness, and role of criminal justice.
- CRIM 4005 – Organized Crime
P: JUST major or minor; JUST 2004. Comparison of organized criminal behavior around the world, including structural aspects, activities conducted, and criminal justice responses. - CRIM 4615 – Terrorism and Criminal Justice
P: CRIM major or minor; CRIM 2004. Study of the history and characteristics of terrorism and criminal justice responses to terrorism. - CRIM 4620 – Transnational and Global Crime
P: CRIM major or minor; CRIM 2004. Study of transnational and global crime and crime prevention mechanisms. - EHST 2110 – Introduction to Environmental Health Science
Principles of environmental health practices. - GEOG 2300 – Geography of Environmental Resources
Location and development of environmental resources at world and national levels. - GEOG 2350 – Climate Change: Science and Society
Explores societal aspects of climate change science, relevant social science debates, human adaptation, mitigation, strategies, and international policy. - GEOG 3430 – Geographic Information Systems I
Introduction to basic cartographic principles, with an emphasis on map symbolization, design and layout using desktop computers and web-based mapping platforms. - GEOG 4430 – Geographic Information Systems II
Advanced topic. Emphasis on the development of GIS projects. - HIST 3121 – American Military History to 1900
History of military thought and institutions in US from era of American Revolution through nineteenth century. Emphasis on interrelationship between war and society by study of political, economic, and social aspects of military affairs. - HIST 3122 – American Military History since 1900
American military thought and institutions since 1900. Emphasis on interrelationship between war and society by study of political, economic, and social aspects of military affairs. - HIST 3260 – U.S. and the Middle East 1783 to the Present
History of American interests and involvement in Middle East since 1783. - HIST 3350 – War and Society
Survey of interrelationship between society and warfare from dawn of civilization to present. - HIST 3670 History of the Middle East Since 1500
People, land, and religious groups of Middle East. Emphasis on Islam and imperialism. - PLAN 1900 – Sustainable Cities
Overview of planning concepts applied to critical issues impacting urban environments at a variety of scales from local to global. Introduces the role of urban planning in managing and building sustainable urban environments. - PLAN 4015 – Emergency Management Planning
Case studies examine emergency management planning and techniques. Emphasis on mitigation of, preparation for, response to, and recovery from natural and technological disasters. - POLS 3080 – Security and Weapons of Mass Destruction
Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear weapons, their potential use, and the challenges governments face at all levels as they prepare to counter these threats. - POLS 3144 – American Foreign Policy
RP: POLS 2020. Principles and policies which characterize America’s recent and contemporary foreign relations. - POLS 3155 – National Security Policy
Overview of processes, forces, and influences which determine contemporary national security policy in United States. Examine contemporary issues, including transnational threats, multinational and coalition defenses strategies, force modernization, recruitment and retention, and homeland security. - POLS 3180 – The U.S. Intelligence Community
Mission, roles, activities, and policy impacts of the major agencies of the U.S. intelligence community and their relationships with other agencies. - POLS 3260 – Middle Eastern Political Systems
Comparative study of government and politics in selected countries in the Middle East. - POLS 3290 – Communities in Conflict: Causes, Dynamics, and Resolutions of Civil Wars
Political, economic, and ecological issues in post-Cold War international system that structure nature of conflict and prospects for future cooperation and peace. - POLS 3293 – International Organizations
RP: POLS 2020. Origins, structures, and functions of United Nations, Organization of American States, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and other international organizations. - POLS 4382 – Politics of Terrorism
Explores phenomenon of terrorism throughout world with particular focus on characteristics of terrorism, reasons why groups choose terrorist action, and issues in counter-terrorism. - POLS 4383 – Clash of Nations: The Drivers Behind Interstate Conflict
Broad-ranging study of politics of modern war. Causes, weaponry and strategy, and effects. Arms control issues and analysis of potential for armed conflict in post-Cold War era. - RELI 1690 – World Religions
Historical and contemporary expressions of major living religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Taoism. - RELI 2691 – Classical Islam
Islam and some of its cultural manifestations during the formative period. Topics covered include early history, basic beliefs and practices, and the Qu’ran.