Certificate of Graduate Studies in Terrorism & Homeland Defense

Considers the nature of war and peace, including thought and practice from philosophical and religious viewpoints, with particular reference to the Christian tradition (e.g. just war theory) and the formal law of armed conflict.

Introduces major operational concepts as applied to cyberspace; compares and contrasts traditional military doctrines, tactics and strategies with those used in cyberspace; presents institutions involved in cyberconflict and their functions domestically and internationally, and describes prospects for peace-building and international cooperation in cyberspace.

Addresses the all hazard approach to critical infrastructure protection with a specific focus on cybersecurity and the use of cyber/IT tools in progressing concepts of risk management, mitigation, preparation, and response and recovery efforts. Includes current National Infrastructure Protection Plan Critical Infrastructure/ Key Resource Sector Specific Plans and the use of the Incident Command System in all hazard emergency management disaster response as per the current National Response Framework.

The major approaches and methodologies of international relations, examines the First, Second and Third Debates within the field, reviews emerging topics and identifies research questions.

Political change and ideological trends in the Mid-East after WWII. Explores the politics of state and nation building, the legacies of colonialism, the impact of nationalism, the development of civil society, the complications of oil wealth, the challenges of democracy, and the place of political Islam.

Explores the role of the various U.S. intelligence agencies in assessing foreign and domestic terror threats, developing effective counterterrorism strategies, and thwarting terrorist aggression. Topics include intelligence collection and analysis, domestic vs. foreign intelligence, uses and limits of intelligence for counterterrorism, ethical issues in intelligence, and intelligence oversight and reform.

Presents the most influential threads of political thought and philosophy in the Islamic world from Muhammad and the Caliphate through modern jihadism. Topics and authors examined include Sunni and Shi’ite theories of leadership, the Mamluk ideology, Ibn Khaldun, al-Farabi, Ibn Rushd, Sayeed Qutb, and others.

Broadens individual understanding of the ever changing nature of international terrorism and its consequences on American society at large. It covers the present-day US domestic and external responses to terrorism and focus on the rise of the US Homeland Security Agency. Also, there is a focus on trends in modern terrorism, especially the proliferation of WMD and what the US can do (or is doing) to counter such trends.

Historical development of US national security policy and doctrines; major theoretical approaches to determining national security objectives and strategies; roles and relations of major actors in making US national security policy; contemporary national security challenges including terrorism, WMDs and the growth of violent extremism.

Historical development of US foreign policy principles; actors involved in creation of foreign policy, role of interest groups and special interests; economic aspects of US foreign policy and the role of ideology and religion; considers America’s role in the world today.