M.A. in National Security Studies – Cybersecurity Policy

Current issues in media law and ethics governing the creation, production, distribution and ownership of media content, focusing on new communication technologies and services.  Issues addressed include intellectual property, freedom of the press, privacy, obscenity, libel, licensing and contracts, guilds and unions, and consumer rights and protections.  Cross-listed with JRN 614.

Ethical principles, issues and responsibilities associated with information systems security, cyber warfare and ethical hacking. 

A comprehensive overview of career management principles and practices to more effectively equip students for employment and career advancement from a Christian worldview perspective.

Considers applicability of traditional IR theory paradigms to description and analysis of cyber conflict and cyber international relations. Considers issues of political economy associated with globalization and cryptocurrencies. Introduces cyberspace actors and institutions and prospects for global conflict and conflict resolution.

Qualitative and quantitative reasoning, the basic principles of the philosophy of science, and positivist and reflexivist approaches to knowledge creation.

Offers a biblical perspective of the religious, philosophical, and cultural foundations of Western civilization as expressed in education, law, ethics, biology, politics, science, psychology, sociology, economics and history. It will contrast biblical Christianity with the other principal worldviews in Western civilization: Secular Humanism, Marxism/Leninism and Cosmic Humanism (New Age), and will analyze public policy issues using each worldview.

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 key debates in philosophy of technology, considers impacts of new technological developments from political, philosophical, theological, psychological and sociological perspectives.  Considers transhumanism, Big Data and implications of autonomy and surveillance for democracy.

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.

The application of information systems concepts and tools to challenges and opportunities in the public sector focusing on information system trends; managerial use of information systems; hardware, software, and telecommunications; systems development processes and practices; strategic and policy issues in IS, and ethical and moral issues surrounding information system management.

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.

Provides the theoretical and conceptual tools required to understand the grand strategy assumptions underlying Western national security policies since the advent of Clausewitz and Jomini with a focus on the application of grand strategy to military operations across the elements of national power (diplomatic, information, military, economics) and among U.S. and allied forces since World War I.

Introduces basic concepts and vocabulary for pursuing additional training in cybersecurity policy and affairs.  Examines issues such as:  how does encryption work?  What is code?  What is a blockchain and what is critical infrastructure?  Also, suitable for students not wishing to pursue a concentration or certificate but wishing to acquire familiarity with these issues.

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.

Refining a thesis through wide reading, developing a thesis, database searching, building a bibliography, writing a literature review and preparing a formal thesis proposal.  Prerequisite:  Permission of Instructor.

Developing the thesis proposal from GOV 698 into an extended, well-written document incorporating critical analysis and synthesis and involving original work.  Prerequisite:  Permission of Instructor.

An  online  two-credit  course  designed  to  help  acclimate students to Regent University and online learning. It will provide the knowledge, resources and essential skills needed for success  at  the  graduate  level. Topics  include  academic  writing,  online  learning,  information  literacy,  and  advising  and support services. It may be required for some students as a condition of admission, and may substitute for UNIV LIB Information Research and Resources and/or ENGL 500 Graduate Academic Writing Seminar.

In this exploding age of information, it is the objective of the library faculty to prepare graduates to be on the cutting edge of information technology. Information literacy is the ability to effectively access information for problem solving and decision-making; thus, the knowledge and abilities you glean from this course will open doors to lifelong learning. It is imperative for graduate study research. Since the information learned in this course is a vital foundation for all other coursework, its completion is required within the first semester of study. The course takes approximately ten hours to complete.