Course Description: This semester, “Lectures in Contemporary Security Issues” is a one-time offering, which will count for ITT students as a GBAT elective.  Beginning Fall 2006, the department intends to transform into the capstone course of a minor in intermodal and maritime security jointly offered with the Department of Marine Transportation.  In addition to lectures by the professor, from time to time prominent experts in maritime and intermodal security, from both public and private sectors, will address the students on topical issues of the day in their field of security.  Students will be required to do a research paper that integrates the information from the different speakers as well as research performed by the student.

Textbook:

Posner, Gerald (2003) Why America Slept: The failure to prevent 9/11, New York: Random House.

Other Material:

There will be readings in materials placed on reserve at the library as announced by the professor. 

There will often be student handouts of material that is fair game for exam coverage.  I recommend that you prepare a folder or binder of class material.

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.
Grading (continued):

***Participation scores come from your responsiveness in class to questions when asked, your initiation of questions and contribution of useful dialog that helps shed light on class topics.  Another participation grade opportunity will come from extra credit assignments that the professor will announce during the course.

I do not grade on the curve.  I try to ensure that your grade accurately reflects your performance in completing assignments and helping to create a stimulating learning environment in class.

Policies:

1. Class attendance is required and civility is expected in order to attain an “A” score.  If you are absent from three classes consecutively or for a total of four classes without my authorization I will drop you from the class and assign an “F.”  Ditto if you consistently disrupt the learning environment.

1. No late assignments will be accepted without preauthorization and no make-up exams will be given.  An exception to this rule will be made only in rare hardship or cases at my discretion. I emphasize rare.

1. Each student, whether by use of a personal computer or by use of computers provided in facilities on campus, must be prepared to communicate responsively with the instructor by email and to carry out assignments requiring the use of a computer including Internet access. Remember Murphy’s Law: anything that can go wrong will, i.e. always back up your electronic submissions and files.

1. Plagiarism, including copying material from the Internet without attributing its source and passing it on as your own work, is unacceptable. .  Official SUNY Maritime policy states: “A student who violates academic integrity may, depending on the nature of the offense, be subject to one or more of the following measures: failure of the assignment or examination, failure of the course, dismissal from the Regiment of Cadets, or dismissal from the College. Violations of academic integrity, also known as academic dishonesty, are subject to review by the Academic Integrity Hearing Board. This Board exists to hear all evidence regarding the case and decide what sanctions will be placed on the offending student.”  You should review the entire policy on academic integrity, which is online at: http://www.sunymaritime.edu/academics/Regulations/AcademicIntegrityPolicy.htm

1. Speak up, ask questions; do not let the opportunity to learn go by.  The only dumb question is the one that you needed to ask but didn’t.  You can see me during office hours on Thursday, 0900-1100 hours, and otherwise by appointment; during the week I live on campus so I am available and will make every effort to be as accessible as possible.

Research Paper:

The textbook explains how in 1990, the blind Islamic cleric, Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, emigrated into the United States, despite the fact that he was on a terrorist watch list because of his complicity in the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar El-Sadat.Rahman went on to seize control of a mosque in Brooklyn and use it as the springboard for a plot that resulted in the first terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.  Your research assignment is to answer the question of whether in 2006, a terrorist similar to Sheik Rahman could repeat what Rahman did in 200, i.e. slip unnoticed into the country, organize, and implement a major terrorist plot.  You may think not, you may think, “yes,” it could be done again; whatever your opinion, it is your task to develop well the supporting evidence and persuasively set it out in your paper.  It is important that you use good style, e.g. Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), or the Chicago Style Manual.

To get an “A” you must develop some primary (as opposed to secondary) research, e.g. try to interview NYPD, FBI, or other law enforcement officials, or NYC/Port of NY-NJ officials who can shed light on the issues involved in your research.

Your paper should integrate some of the main concepts found in the text, in class discussions, and the remarks of speakers brought to the class.  For example, what about the lack of good co-operation, for whatever reason, between various American intelligence and law enforcement agencies?  Is it still a problem?

Deadline: The last day of class, Monday, April 24th.

Schedule:

An updated schedule will be sent to all students registered for the course as soon as some arrangements are finalized. 

On Thursday, February 2 GBAT is hosting a Conference on Cutting Edge Issues in Shipping, 9 A.M. to 4 PM in the same lecture hall used for this class.  Many of the presentations will be on security.  You are strongly urged to register for the conference and participate in discussion sessions.  Participation credit will be earned by those students who register for the conference and take part.

On February 27 Uri Mendelberg, head of International Security & Defense Systems, Ltd. (http://www.isds-usa.com), will address the class.  The class will be hosted by Brigadier General Bob Wolfe, USMC (ret). Dr. Howard will be traveling, attending an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) security conference in Hanoi, Vietnam.

On March 20, Bethann Rooney, the Manger, Port Security for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, will speak on on how the Port of NY/NJ coped with the events of 9/11 and the “Lessons Learned” from that experience that have resulted in concrete policy and operational steps.