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.
Social sciences: Sociology Police Science Police Administration Administration of Justice Criminal Justice Criminology Criminal Justice Administration Homeland Security
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.
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?
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.
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/ .)