Fairleigh Dickinson University
School of Administrative Science
Bachelor of Administrative Science (BAIS)
ONLINE 3 CREDIT COURSE SYLLABUS
Course:
TERRORISM AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Course:
PADM 4501
ONLINE COURSE SYLLABUS
Course:
Methodology of Instruction:
This course is computer-based instruction, which includes Internet Exercise, preUnit survey questions, post unit survey questions, unit assignments, and activities on the
discussion board.
Course Description:
Examine terrorism in the context of Emergency Management. Define what terrorism is
and why politically motivated acts of violence occur. Explore the ideological forces
behind terrorism and provide an overview of terrorist groups and their intimidation and
fear tactics, examine weapons of mass destruction and focus on the history of counter
terrorism legislation.
Textbook:
Understanding Terrorism and Managing the Consequences
Paul M. Maniscalco and Hank T. Christen ISBN: 0-13-021229-6
Supplemental Readings:
Inside Terrorism
Author: Bruce Hoffman
Columbia University Press
ISBN: 0231114699
Ghost Wars
Author: Steven Coll
The Penguin Press
ISBN: 1-59420-007-6
The Economist
www.economist.com
Internet Access:
Anti-Defamation League: www.adl.org
RAND: www.rand.org
Southern Poverty Law Center: www.splcenter.org
Terrorism Research Center: www.terrorism.com
U.S. Department of State: www.state.gov/s/ct/
U.S. Department of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov
FEMA: http://www.fema.gov/
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/
Objectives:
 Describe the threats posed by terrorist acts that exist within their community.
 List actions local officials can take to prevent and defend against terrorist acts.
 Discuss the affects that terrorism has on both foreign policy and domestic policy.
 Relate the media role in influencing extremist groups at home and abroad.
 List and describe the challenges faced by the government in the mitigation of
terrorist actions.
 Identify the role that FEMA will have in a terrorism disaster inside the U.S.
 What is the role of FEMA now that it has been realigned under the Homeland
Security Branch of government.
 List and explain points of importance within the Patriot Act that may have an
affect on Emergency Managements response and involvement during a terrorist
disaster.
 By example, relate the present study of terrorism in the United States to future
projections of political violence.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Participation and Late Policy:
Participation in the online discussions is required for every student for every module.
Participation will be assessed based on the degree of completion and thoughtfulness of
the answers, as well as constructive criticism and comments of others postings. It is
important that you participate in the Discussion Board with other students. The success
of the class depends on interaction. Assignments should be submitted on time. If an
assignment is late an explanation should accompany it and follow same with a telephone
call, thank you.
Academic Integrity:
Students enrolled at Fairleigh Dickinson University are expected to maintain the highest
standards of academic honesty. Students have the responsibility to each other to make
known the existence of academic dishonesty to their course instructor, who will then in
turn, if necessary, notify the department chair or academic dean of their University.
Final Paper:
Each student will research and prepare a final paper on a selected topic approved by the
instructor. Topics must relate to the material being covered in this course. Examples
include: Identify and analyze a terrorist act domestic or international that impacted the
emergency management in the US.
What does the Patriot Act provide for emergency management when dealing with the
terrorist act Another 9-1-1 and is FEMA and emergency management prepared
Security issues for the present day emergency management with terrorist generated
disasters Changing roles in government policy with regard to security ie. Establishment
of the Homeland security branch. These are provided as examples of possible topics.
Students must make arrangements with the instructor before the fourth class meeting date
to get the approval for their topic.
The final paper will be at minimum 3 pages in length, double spaced. Students will
create a term paper Microsoft Power-point presentation. This power-point presentation is
a summarization of the authentic term paper version. Videos and photos may also can be
attached to this power-point. All material will reflect credit to original authors.
American Psychological Association (APA) will be the style for citations in paper.
(WordPerfect version 9 has a copy of APA).
Final Exam:
To be administered at the end of the semester.
Grades:
Discussion Board involvement
Mid-Term Assessment
Paper
Final Assessment
20%
25%
30%
25%
Class Schedule
Module #
Date Topic and Assignments
1
092406
Introduction and welcome.. Syllabus review - Provide: email
addresses - school and/or personal, contact numbers; 1st assignment: Students are
required to prepare their personal biography, which is to be posted on discussion
board.
2
100106
Module Two
3
100806
Module Three
4
101506
Module Four
5
102206
Mid-Term Assessment
6
102906
Module Six
7
110506
Module Seven
8
111206
Module Eight: Term Papers due... NOTE: Submit to instructor’s
private email only...
9
10
111906
Module Nine: Microsoft Power-point presentations are to be
posted on Discussion Board
112606
Module Ten: Final Assessment
120206