M.A. in National Security Studies – Homeland Security

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.

Reviews advanced economic topics and analyze economic and international trade policies in light of global trade issues. In addition to conducting cost/benefit analysis of economic policies, examine and present alternative solutions to trade and finance problems.

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.

Develops an understanding of how national security experts consider key maritime security issues and their trade-offs with other national security priorities as well as how the elements of national power (diplomatic, information, military, economics) are related to U.S. objectives in dealing with threats and vulnerabilities in the maritime sector.

Develops an understanding of how national security experts consider key energy and environmental security issues and their trade-offs with other national security priorities as well as how the elements of national power (diplomatic, information, military, economics) are related to U.S. objectives in dealing with threats and vulnerabilities in the energy and environmental sectors.

Overview of the global problem of trafficking in persons for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor.  The course examines the issue of trafficking from several perspectives: (i) the various international conventions that prohibit trafficking in persons; (ii) regional examples of trafficking and factors that contribute to it such as civil unrest and governmental corruption; and (iii) the United States legislative and foreign policy response to trafficking in persons.  This course will focus on trafficking in persons as a human rights violation and the treatment of trafficked persons as a victim of a crime.  Cross-listed with LAW 735. Law Student Prerequisites: Completion of first year.  Recommended: LAW 683, 684, and 784.

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.

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.

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.

Policies and procedures to mitigate, prevent and respond to disaster, the literature of risk, regimes for safety and risk reduction, the ethics of care and compassion, and mechanisms for measuring threat and recovery.

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.

Relationships among national, state and local governments, the theory of federalism, intergovernmental cooperation and conflict, municipal and state collaboration, regional relationships and unfunded mandates.

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.