HLS-5100 Protecting the Homeland: Balancing Security and Liberty

This course will examine the development of various situations that have evolved since the day of the terrorists' attacks, on New York City and Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001. Since that day, the events which transpired have been seen to have made many Americans feel more vulnerable than ever before. After the events of that day, the United States Congress quickly enacted the USA PATRIOT Act, which permitted a number of extraordinary and unprecedented changes to civil liberties without judicial oversight. This course will examine the USA PATRIOT Act, along with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, which were initiated by the events of 9/11. This course will allow students the opportunity to examine and understand why the government and the public began to question and scrutinize the country's intelligence mechanisms, and national security structure and procedures. During this course there will an opportunity to examine the creation, development, and organizational structure of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As part of the examination of DHS, there will be opportunities to also examine entities such as the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), which was established after 9/11. This course will also examine other developments including the detention and torture of "enemy combatants" in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and consider whether the nation's security needs justify the consequent restrictions on our freedoms.

Credits: 3

Offered in May 2024, Nov 2024, May 2025

Preview the Online Syllabus 
(Please visit the University bookstore to view the correct materials for each course by semester as the contents of the actual online syllabus may differ from the preview due to updates or revisions)