HomeMy WebLinkAboutHSE-103Bergen Community College
Division of Business, Social Science and Criminal Justice and Homeland Security
Department of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security
Master Course Syllabus
Course Title:
HSE -103 Legal Aspects of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Prerequisites: None
Credit Hours: 3 lectures, 3 hours
Instructors:
Office Location:
Office Telephone:
Department Secretary: (optional)
Office Hours:
Email Address:
Course Description:
Legal Aspects of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is an introduction to
the legal and policy framework for emergency management and response to natural and
technological hazards and disasters. The course addresses the role of local, state and
federal governments in an emergency or disaster response. The duty to act, liability and
negligence, the use of volunteer resources and the role of counsel in emergency
management is examined.
Student Learning Objectives: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course,
students will be able to:
1- To provide a basic foundation for the student’s understanding of the law and policies
related to homeland security and emergency management.
2- Develop a working understanding of the legal and policy principles of the profession
3-Understand local, state and federal relationships when it comes to introducing and
implementing new laws and regulations
4-Be able to describe examples of when crisis management and consequence
management policy has evolved gradually and when it has evolved suddenly in response
to events
5- Recognize the critical role of court decisions in clarifying the practical application of
legislation and executive directives
6-Obtain a working knowledge of privacy concerns and Constitutional protections related
to governmental information gathering; and
7- Understand potential tort liability situations and the basics components of
governmental tort immunity.
Required Textbook:
Nicholson, Wm C., Homeland Security Law and Policy, C. C. Thomas Publisher,
Springfield, IL, ISBN: 0-398-07583-2
Other Required Materials: Selected readings from the library and the Internet
Means of Assessment:
1. Demonstrated ability of student to discuss reading topics with fellow learners and the
course instructor.
2. Ability of student to raise thoughtful opinions and engage in intellectual dialogue with
fellow learners and the course instructor.
3. Apply learned knowledge through researching and submission of research paper on a
Homeland Security Law and another paper on an emergency management topic related to
law and policy.
4. Successful demonstration of knowledge through the assessment of tests and quizzes.
Course Content
• Students will, through completion of a set of FEMA disaster management scenarios, the
course text, referenced directed readings, guided discussions, assignments and exercises,
gain the ability to understand the current disaster management legal doctrine and its
inherent limitations.
• Students will also be able to identify and classify the types of natural and man-made
risks and be able to complete a risk assessment and analysis of their respective
communities.
• Students will also be proficient in the application and process of mitigation strategies to
enhance the health, safety and environmental security of their community, its critical
infrastructures and commercial and residential buildings meeting with federal, state and
local legal policy and laws.
Special Features of the Course
Power Point Presentations,
Internet Application Resources,
Video Presentations, and
Scenario Model Design Problems for Students to Complete and Discuss.
Course Requirements and Evaluation:
Research, Thinking, Writing and or Examination Requirements
Students are required to complete four written test evaluations, essay assignments, and a
community research project addressing legal aspects of terrorism and disasters
Grading Policy
Final Course Grade:
Examinations Four = 50 percent of final grade 50%
Two Papers = 30 percent of final grade 30%
One class presentation = 10 percent of final grade 10%
Class participation = 10 percent of final grade 10%
Total = 100 per cent of final grade 100%
Note:
Student class participation, attitude and observed effort will be considered in determining
the students final grade. All absences affect class participation grade. One (10 point will
be deducted for each absence.
Bergen Community College Grading Scale:
A 4.0(90-100%) B+ 3.6(86-89%) B 3.0(80-85%)
C+ 2.6(76-79%) C 2.0(70-75%) D 1.0(60-69%)
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend all scheduled course dates and meeting times punctually.
Attendance is generally reflected in a students overall class performance. Students, who
regularly miss classes absent mitigating circumstances, will have difficulty completing
the course with a satisfactory grade.
A maximum of 10% will credited toward the final course grade for reasonable continuous
attendance and class participation. Student class participation, attitude and observed
effort will be considered in determining the students final grade. All absences affect class
participation grade. One (10 point will be deducted for each absence
Class Sessions:
This course will be a lecture-based course by the instructors and guest lecturers with class
discussion, cases studies and other media presentations. Participation in the discussions
based on a response to the readings and lecture materials is an important part of the
course.
Other College, Divisional and or Department Policy Statements
See the master college catalog and student handbook for student responsibilities
pertaining to:
• Code of Student Conduct
• Civility
• ADA Statement
• Sexual Harassment Statement
• Statement on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
• Statement on Acceptable use of College Technology
• Statement on the Purpose and Value of Faculty Office Hours
Student and Faculty Support Services
The distance Learning
Office-for any problems
you may have accessing
your online courses
Room C-334
201-612-5581
psimms@bergen.edu
Smart thinking Tutorial
Service
On Line at: www.bergen.edu/library/learning/tutor/smart/ind
ex.asp
The Tutoring Center Room L-125 201-447-7908
The Writing Center Room L-125 201-447-7908
The Online Writing Lab
(OWL)
On Line at: www.bergen.edu/owl
The Office of Specialized
Services (for Students
with Disabilities)
Room S-131 201-612-5270
www.bergen.edu/oss
The Sidney Silverman
Library
Room L-226 201-447-7436
Course Schedule:
Week Lecture Points Homework/Readings Topics Include
Week One Introductions, Distribution
of Syllabus,
Overview of Homeland
Security and Emergency
Management and Course
US Patriot Act
Week Two Duty to Act
Readings: Read Chapter
and study key pages
Nicholson, Chapter 1,
pages 5-15; Section 5-1-
1,
Sources of law
and other
authority: U.S.
Constitution,
Legislative
Acts,
International
Law, Courts
Treaties, and
Executive
agreements.
Week Three Training Accidents
Readings: Read Chapter
and study keys pages
Nicholson, Read Chapter
2, pages 17-30.
Legal aspects
and issues of
Terrorism:
Applying
Constitutional
principles to
international
Investigations
Week Four FEMA’s Place in Policy,
Law, and Management
Hazardous Materials
Issues: Hot Pursuit, Vehicle
Accident, Criminal
Liability for Vehicle
Accident
Test One
Readings: Nicholson,
Read Chapter and study
keys pages Chapter 3,
pages 33-57; NJ Law
Enforcement Safe
Pursuit Act,
Legal aspects
and issues of
Terrorism:
Applying
Constitutional
principles to
international
Investigations
Week Five FEMA’S Changing
Priorities since 9/11The
Shape of Emergency
Response and Emergency
Management in the
Aftermath of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002:
National Response Plan
(NRP)
National Incident
Management System
(NIMS)Vehicle Dispatch
Issues
Public Safety
Readings: Nicholson,
Read Chapter and study
keys pages Chapter 4,
pages 59-69; Training
Telecommunicator
Minimum Standards of
Training
The USA
Patriot Act and
its progeny
Telecommunicator Issues
Week Six
Law Immunity Issues
Good Samaritan Specific
Statutes Review
Homeland Security from
the Local Perspective
Week 6 -Readings:
Nicholson, Read Chapter
and study keys pages
Chapter 5, pages 71-99;
Good Samaritan Issues
Recent cases
and
controversies in
U.S. Courts.
Week Seven Managing a Response
Homeland Security
Initiatives and Emergency
Management in Metro
Areas: The Pennsylvania
Perspective
Examination Review
Readings: Nicholson,
Read Chapter and study
keys pages
Chapter 6, pages 101-
134; Internet review of
both
Homeland Security
Directive National
Response Plan (NRP);
National Incident
Management System
(NIMS);
Jurisdiction
issues
in matters
regarding
terrorism.
Week Eight Week 8- Mid-Term Exam
New Partnerships for
Homeland Security, Policy
Development, and
Application: Government,
Private Sector, and Higher
Education
Reading Read Chapter
and study key pages
Chapter Seven
Page 137-147
New Partnerships for
Homeland Security,
Policy Development, and
Application:
Government, Private
Sector, and Higher
Education
Partnership
Consideration
and relations
before and after
incidents
Week Nine Public Health Emergency
Preparedness/Hazardous
Materials Incidents
Partnering with the
Department of Defense for
Improved Homeland
Security
Readings: Nicholson,
Read Chapter and study
keys pages
Chapter 7, pages 137-
157; NJ Emergency
Code
NORTHCOM
Religion,
Culture, Power
and Politics
Week Ten Using Volunteer Resources
Federal Volunteer
Protection Act of 1997, 42
USC Sections 14501, et
seq.;
Readings: Nicholson,
Read Chapter and study
keys pages Chapter 8,
pages 159-174;
Emergency Management
Assistance Compact
(Pub. L. 104-321 –
Religion,
Culture, Power
and Politics
Student Presentations
Week Eleven Recovery by Responders:
The Rescue Doctrine and
the Fireman’s Rule Civil
Rights Issues
Insatiable Appetite: The
Government’s Demand for
New and Unnecessary
Powers After September 11
The USA Patriot Act,
Money Laundering, and
Suspicious Activity
Reports from Financial
Institutions
Readings: Nicholson,
Read Chapter and study
keys pages
Chapter 9, pages 177-
185
Student Presentations
Influence of
Religion,
Culture, Power
and Politics
Demands of
finance
institution and
The Patriot Act
Week Twelve Lessons Learned from
9/11 for Emergency
Responders and Emergency
Managers
Test Three
Antiterrorism
Investigations and the
Fourth Amendment After
September 11, 2001
Readings: Nicholson,
Read Chapter and study
keys pages Chapter 10,
pages 187-201; Chapter
16, pages 313-319
Student Presentations
Free Speech,
Academic
Freedom and
"Un-American"
Criticisms of
Homeland
Security.
Week Thirteen Week 13- Powers of the
Governor – Federal, State
and Local Responsibilities
Mass Transit and
Homeland Security: Policy
Issues
Post-9-11 Challenges for
Aviation Security
Readings: Nicholson,
Read Chapters and study
keys pages
Nicholson, Chapter 12,
pages 221-232;
Nicholson, Chapter 13,
pages 235-258;
Student Presentations
Futuristic
Technology in
Homeland
Security.
Week Fourteen Week 14 –Negligence
Liability in Emergency
Management
Natural Disasters and
Weapons of Mass
Destruction: Policy Issues
and Implications
Bioterrorism Defense:
Current Components and
Continuing Challenges
Readings: Nicholson,
Read Chapter and study
keys pages Chapter 15,
pages 289-311; Chapter
17, pages 321-327.
Student Presentations
Effective
Reciprocal Aid
Agreements
between
Government
Entities.
Week Fifteen Review / Final Exam Student Presentations Contemporary
Issues Review
Note to students: This course outline and calendar is tentative and subject to change,
depending upon the progress of the class.
Department of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security
Catalog Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the legal and policy framework for
emergency management and response to natural and technological hazards
and disasters. This course will introduce students to a broad spectrum of
legal issues related to emergency management and homeland security. The
role of local, state and federal governments in an emergency or disaster
response will be examined in light of events such as 9/11, SARS and
hurricanes. Legal issues covered will include the duty to act, dispatch issues,
legal liability and negligence, managing a response from a first responder
and management perspective, the use of volunteer resources and the role of
legal counsel in emergency management.