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 SUNY Maritime College: Security Curriculum |
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S.U.N.Y. Maritime College
Global Business & Transportation
GBTT 462 Science & Technological Issues of Security
S.U.N.Y. Maritime College
Global Business & Transportation
GBTT 462 Science & Technological Issues of Security
Thursdays 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Fort Schuyler B-06
Thursdays 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Fort Schuyler B-06
Course Description:
This course explores the social and political contexts, the implications and consequences of the scientific and technological issues in the security arena. For example, containers now coming out of a port terminal are scanned for radiation; what can the scanners detect and if radiation is detected, what does that mean? How would a city be evacuated in the event a nuclear device was detected? Another example of technology with far-reaching implications is that of biometrics; suppose everybody had their retina patterns in a national database? When is personal information too intrusive for government access?
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Prerequisite:
At least Junior (2nd class) standing or permission from the GBAT Department Chair
The main goal of the course is to give students an understanding of the social and political implications of scientific and technological issues involving maritime and intermodal security. A secondary goal is to begin to create both an intellectual and practical grounding for students regarding technological innovations and applications that they may be called upon to use or rely upon in their career work.
The professor's approach to the class will be comprised of four foundations:
1) Lectures and some guest speakers, utilizing the texts to highlight two important examples of major technological innovations, i.e. biometrics and “green munitions.”; 2) Interactive Discussion; 3) Class fieldtrips to sites at which the technology discussed is being employed; 4) A term paper.
The professor will set up at least two field trips during the semester, e.g. to a container terminal where scanning technology is being utilized to verify the contents of shipping containers; or to an international security company which uses biometrics in its operations.
The term project will be done by individual students. The assignment typically will be for a student to identify a significant scientific or technological innovation and explore the trade-offs between its actual benefits in providing substantive security and the impacts that the use of the technology has on human social and political environments.
Primary research will be required in order for the student to receive an “A.”
The examinations will be a combination of essay, short answer, and multiple choice.
Grading:
Item Proportions: Grading Scale:
Research Paper 40% 90-100 A
Midterm Exam 20% 80-89 B
Participation*** 10% 70-79 C
Final Exam 20% 60-69 D
Below 59 F
“Plus” and “Minus” distinctions will be made.
***Participation scores come from the student’s responsiveness in class to questions when asked; his/her initiation of questions and contribution of useful dialog that helps shed light on class topics. Another participation grade opportunity will come from fully engaging in opportunities offered during the fieldtrips, e.g. to ask questions of hosts and submit a reflective paper on information learned from the trip.
Textbooks:
Ashbourn, Julian (2004). Practical Biometrics: From aspiration to implementation. London: Springer-Verlag. ISBN 1-85233-774-5
Branco, Pelagio Castelo (ed) & Campos, Jose (ed) & Schubert, Hiltmar (ed) (2004). Defense Industries: Science and Technology Related to Security: Impact of Conventional Munitions on Environment and Population. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Kluwer. ISBN 1-4020-2794-X (PB)
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Topics and Suggested Assignments / Submissions^ |
Notes:^Topics, Assignments, and Submissions may be modified based upon time constraints.*This assignment embodies an essential element from this week’s content. |
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1 |
Topics: Questions to be Submitted |
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2 |
Topics: Question To be Submitted:
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3 |
Topics: Recognition and Identification of Energetic Materials: Terrorist incidents involving WMD Questions to be Submitted |
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4 |
Topics: Motivation Used in Terrorism: Sources of WMD Suggested Assignments / Submissions: Questions to be Submitted |
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Topics: Technical Factors: A focus on some of the technical issues involved with the deployment and everyday use of biometric technology Chapter 2 Practical Biometrics
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Topics: Business Effects of Terrorism Technical Factors: A focus on some of the technical issues involved with the deployment and everyday use of biometric technology Chapter 2 |
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Topics: Implementation Factors: The importance of understanding the larger implementation picture Chapter 4 |
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Topics: Implementation Factors: The importance of understanding the larger implementation picture Chapter 4 Practical Biometric Sociological Effects of Terrorism |
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Topics: Tracing WMD using Cameo Predicting the flow Suggested Assignments/Submissions |
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Topics Suggested Assignments/Submissions |
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Topics: Review for final exam turn in research paper |
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Topics: |
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^Topics, Assignments, and Submission requirements may be modified based upon time constraints*This assignment embodies an essential element from this week’s content. |
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