By Katie Land, news editor
America has changed since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, in ways both visible and behind the scenes. It has significantly altered the way that terrorism is viewed in this country, by ordinary citizens and government entities alike.
A new course offered this fall at Oakland University will explore these changes, as well as the ever changing techniques, theories and policies surrounding matters of national and local security.
SOC 395: Special Topics: Homeland Security Since 9/11 will be taught by Dan Kennedy, Ph.D, a university-based forensic criminologist who has worked in a variety of roles including a police analyst, halfway house counselor, probation officer, and police academy director.
“A lot of American criminal justice programs did not really address the idea of terrorism until it introduced itself,” Dr. Kennedy said. “The United States didn’t pay much attention until 9/11, we all thought of terrorist attacks as the type of thing that happened to other nations. Now we have homegrown terrorists, which force you to think and act differently, as well as creating a new discussion in literature and with a whole cadre of professional people.”
This course will analyze potential terrorism threats within U.S. borders and examine the various types of countermeasures used to protect the nation. Students will look at current anti-terror and counter-terror strategies and tactics with a specific eye on homegrown terrorists.
These strategies take on a great importance not only at the federal level, but at the state and local level as well, Dr. Kennedy stressed.
“It is very important to be aware of signs and tactics on a local level,” he said. “It is not just homeland security we are concerned with, but hometown security.”
After all, local law enforcement is responsible for monitoring and identifying the every day patterns and situations that could lead to a possible threat.
Community police departments may have additional insight into groups or events that could grow into a terrorist risk down the road. They also patrol many “soft targets” such as shopping malls, stadiums and concert venues.
Still, this course is designed to instruct rather than to alarm. Discussion topics are designed to generate real debate among students, and will include controversial subjects such as jihadist ideologies, targeted killings, enhanced interrogation techniques, behavioral profiling, and biometric deception detection.
“I hope that students are able to take away a few things from this course,” Dr. Kennedy explained. “First, I want students to see what is being done to protect them everyday, to give them confidence in our infrastructures and systems. Second, students should appreciate the importance of keeping their eyes and ears open, as well as be able to recognize and respond to threats and act in an appropriate manner, should they encounter any.”
The homeland security course is open to junior and senior students in any discipline. Interested students should direct permission requests to Kathy Barrett at
barrett@oakland.edu for registration overrides. Eligible students can register through the
SAIL system.
