How would you classify homeland security?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by makana793, Jun 7, 2008.

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  1. makana793

    makana793 New Member

    Folks. I'm just curious here but how would you classify the study of homeland security? I mean what field does it come under. Is it business, social sciences, history, or international relations? It's an emerging field that seems to cross over to many different subject areas (that's my perspective anyway). I just wanted to know what you all think. Thanks.
     
  2. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Social sciences:
    • Sociology
    • Police Science
    • Police Administration
    • Administration of Justice
    • Criminal Justice
    • Criminology
    • Criminal Justice Administration
    • Homeland Security
     
  3. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I agree with soon-to-be-doctor me again. I've worked with DHS for the past 3.5 years, and their academic programs seem to be based in the social sciences, albeit without the theoretical foundations.
     
  4. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Yes sir, very soon!
     
  5. Daniel Luechtefeld

    Daniel Luechtefeld New Member

    That all depends on whether a given program defines the term "homeland security" narrowly or broadly.

    -The narrow definition focuses on man-made threats, specifically terrorism. Programs with this focus will place HS studies within the framework of criminal justice and intelligence studies.

    -The broader definition includes both man-made and natural threats. Such programs will include coursework on public health, epidemiology, and key resource/critical infrastructure protection, emergency management, fire service management, etc.

    Both definitions can be pursued within the context of an MPA.

    So, which aspect of "homeland security" interests you?
     
  6. makana793

    makana793 New Member

    I actually prefer the narrow definition. But I believe since 9/11 the broader definition has taken precedence. Today it's more about protecting man made infrastructure and emergency management than intelligence and terrorism.
     
  7. Daniel Luechtefeld

    Daniel Luechtefeld New Member

    There are some in the emergency management community who would disagree with you.

    Specifically, Eric Holdeman - Prinicipal with ICF, and the former Director of Emergency Management for King County (Washington state) - complained bitterly that the post-9/11 climate sucked all the money and attention away from programs not specifically geared toward counter-terrorism.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/29/AR2005082901445_pf.html

    (Side note: Mr. Holdeman maintains an emergency management blog, http://www.disaster-zone.com/ . He's also serves on the advisory board for the University of Washington's homeland security degree program, http://extension.washington.edu/mspci/ .)
     
  8. makana793

    makana793 New Member

    Daniel, thanks for these posts. Its excellent.
     
  9. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

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