Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Terrorism and Homeland Security (Face-to-Face)

CJ 4740-01

Course: CJ 4740-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSCJ
CRN: 12448

Course Description

A study of terrorist violence in modern times and how federal, state, and local authorities organize to secure the homeland against terrorist and other threats under the all hazards approach to security. A review of terrorist typologies and the underlying causes of the use of terror as a strategy and tactic. A review of homeland security issues, strategies, organizations, roles, and missions, including associated legal authorities and limitations. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): CJ 1010 or POLS 1100 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D-

Required Texts

Understanding Terrorism, 8th Edition, Gus Martin, Sage Publications, Inc., ISBN 978-1-0719-199-34.  Students are welcome to use any earlier editions.

Learning Outcomes

1.  Understand the history and evolution of terrorism.

2.  Understand the diverse types of international terrorism.

3.  Understand the diverse types of domestic terrorism.

4.  Understand select issues regarding securing and defending the homeland against terrorism.

Course Requirements

1.  Midterm Examination - 25% of final grade.

2.  Final Examination - 25% of final grade.

3.  Group Project and Presentation - 25% of final grade. 

      a.  The class will be organized into three groups.  Group 1 is an international terrorist organization.  Group 2 is a  U.S. domestic terrorist organization  Group 3 is a joint state and federal task force comprised of senior staff from the Utah Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

      b.  Groups 1 and 2 will each identify six targets in Utah which they will plan to attack.  In doing so, each group will:  1) Identify group strategic goals and objectives; 2) explain how engaging the target will serve those goals and objectives; 3) explain how engaging the target will harm the state of Utah and/or the U.S.; 4) explain how the attack will be implemented; and 5) identify and explain the costs to attack each target.  Group 3 is tasked to advise the Governor of Utah on how to best defend potential targets against terrorist threats.  The group will:  1) Identify and prioritize six potential terrorist targets within the state of Utah;  2) explain how and why the targets are vulnerable; 3) explain why terrorists would target them; 4) explain how best to defend the targets against attack; and 5) identify and explain the costs to defend the targets against attack.

     c.  Presentation:  On their assigned day, each group will conduct a collective class presentation which addresses the group’s analysis of the 5 elements of the assignment.

     d.  Active participation in and contribution to the group project is mandatory.  The grades for the group project requirement will be reduced for those students who do not actively participate in or materially contribute to the project.

4.  Class attendance and participation - 25% of final grade.  This is a face-to-face class for which attendance is mandatory.  To maximize the grade for this requirement, students must demonstrate consistent, timely attendance and students must actively participate in class discussions.  Consistent attendance without active participation is graded in the "B" range, i.e. from 83 - 86.  Each unexcused absence may result in a 2.5% reduction in the grade for this requirement.  Failure Students can expect to be called upon frequently, by name, to answer questions and to otherwise participate. 

 

Course Outline

Day 1:  Course Orientation and Introduction.

Day 2:  The Sovereign Use of Force.

Day 3:  Strategy and Politics.

Day 4:  Enduring Principles of Conflict/War.

Day 5:  Defining Terrorism.

Day 6:  The Motivation/Causes of Terrorism.

Day 7:  The Motivation/Causes of Terrorism (Continued.)

Day 8:  Tactics and Targets of Terrorists.

Day 9:  In Class Group Project Work Session 1.

Day 10:  Tactics and Targets of Terrorists (Continued.)

Day 11:  Terrorism by the State.

Day 12:  In Class Group Project Work Session 2.

Day 13:  Terrorism by Dissidents.

Day 14:  Terrorism by Dissidents (Continued.)

Day 15:  Terrorism in the Name of Faith.

Day 16:  Terrorism in the Name of Faith (Continued.)

Day 17:  Midterm Examination.

Day 18:  In Class Group Project Work Session 3.

Day 19:  Terrorism from the Political Left and Right.

Day 20:  Terrorism from the Political Left and Right (Continued.)

Day 21:  International Terrorism.

Day 22:  International Terrorism (Continued.)

Day 23:  In Class Group Project Work Session 4.

Day 24:  Criminal Dissident Terrorism.

Day 25:  The Information Battleground and the role of the Media.

Day 26:  In Class Group Project Work Session 5.

Day 27:  The Information Battleground and the role of the Media (Continued.)

Day 28:  Terrorism in the United States.

Day 29:  Terrorism in the United States (Continued.)

Day 30:  Defending Against and Countering Terrorism.

Day 31:  Defending Against and Countering Terrorism (Continued.)

Day 32:  In Class Group Project Work Session 6.

Day 33:  Security Organizations:  The Department of Defense.

Day 34:  Security Organizations:  Selected Federal Legal Authorities.

Day 35:  Security Organizations:  Selected Federal Agencies and Missions.

Day 36:  Group Presentation 1.

Day 37:  Group Presentation 2.

Day 38:  Group Presentation 3.

Day 39:  Course Review and Lessons Learned.

Day 40:  Final Examination.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Personal accountability and responsibility are key elements of good citizenship.  The Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice seeks to inculcate these essential values in our students.  Accordingly, students are expected to meet the published deadlines for all assignments and activities.

Attendance Policy

Class attendance and participation - 25% of final grade.  This is a face-to-face class for which attendance is mandatory.  To maximize the grade for this requirement, students must demonstrate consistent, timely attendance and students must actively participate in class discussions.  Consistent attendance without active participation is graded in the "B" range, i.e. from 83 - 86.  Each unexcused absence may result in a 2.5% reduction in the grade for this requirement.  Failure Students can expect to be called upon frequently, by name, to answer questions and to otherwise participate. 

Course Fees

None

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.