ETM 598

# Terrorism, WMD, and Contemporary Issues

**ETM 598: Line Nr---98102**

**ASUDC/Tucson Fire Training Academy**

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**Course Syllabus**

**Dr. Danny Peterson, CEM**

Department of Information and Management Technology

College of Technology and Applied Sciences

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Arizona State University-East

7001 Williams Field Road

Mesa, AZ 85212

Fall Semester 2002

**Terrorism, WMD, and Contemporary Issues**

**ETM 598**

3 semester hours credit

**Course Prerequisites:** Graduate Status

**Course Description and Objectives:**

Natural disasters continue to cause considerable property damage and
human suffering. More frightening, however, is the growing destructive
character of manmade disasters in general, and specifically terrorism
and weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The recent WTC/Pentagon disasters
and the subsequent war on terrorism throughout the world highlights the
importance of this topic today. The successful emergency manager must
recognize the threat of Terrorism and WMD and be able to mitigate and
prepare for such disasters to bring order to potential chaos. Unique
features of terrorist attacks include psychogenic casualties,
significant risk to responding personnel, multiple jurisdictions, and
the criminal nature of the event. At the completion of this course, the
student will:

-   Understand the pervasive threat created by Terrorism and WMD;

-   Be able to discuss the nature and history of terrorism;

-   Demonstrate a knowledge of various types of Terrorism and WMDs;

-   Understand and be able to discuss the criminal aspects of
    environmental and ecoterrorism;

-   Possess adequate knowledge to identify and recommend various
    applications of monitoring and detection equipment for WMD; and

-   Be able to discuss and apply various tactics for mitigating and
    preparing for terrorism and other threats from WMDs.

**Instructor Information:**

Dr. Danny Peterson

Office: Tech Center, RM #137

Phone: 727-1100 (FAX: 727-1684)

email: DrP@asu.edu

**Textbooks and References:**

Buck, George. (2002). [Preparing for terrorism: An emergency services
guide]{.underline}. New York: Delmar Publishers.

Buck, George. (2002). [Preparing for biological terrorism: An emergency
services planning guide.]{.underline} New York: Delmar Publishers.

Bevelacqua, A., & Stilp, Richard. (2002). [Terrorism handbook for
operational responders.]{.underline} New York: Delmar Publishers.

Hawley, C. (2002). [Hazardous materials air monitoring and detection
devices]{.underline}**.** New York: Delmar Publishers.

[Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook.]{.underline} (2000). Virginia: Jane's
Information Group.

FEMA/USFA/NFA-A-ERT:SS. (June 1999). [Emergency Response to Terrorism:
Self Study]{.underline}.
<http://www.usfa.fema.gov/dhtml/fire-service/nfa-off3ss2.cfm>.

###### Course Evaluation: 

Participation 20%

Self Study Course 15%

Mid-Term 25%

Term Project 15%

Final Exam [25%]{.underline}

Total Grade 100%

**Course Requirements:**

***Readings/projects**:* Students are required to complete the necessary
reading assignments prior to the session as reflected in the schedule.
Assignments will be made during the class and will not be accepted late.
There will be some assignments requiring a collaborative class effort.

***Online Expectations:*** You should log on to the course website at
least three times a week. Important announcements will be found there in
addition to web sites and intel updates. You will be expected to
participate in online discussions. Your responses should be well thought
out and referenced, if necessary.

***Term Project:*** Each graduate student will be expected to complete a
term paper and present it to the rest of the class. The presentation
should be in Power Point format. Expected length of the paper is five
type-written pages. References and the paper must be presented in APA
format. Copies of three of the most representative references must be
submitted along with the paper. The paper and references may be hand
carried or mailed so as to arrive in my office prior to 15 October.

***Assignments*** will be made as appropriate.

This ***syllabus may be modified*** at the instructor's discretion as
necessary to meet the needs of the course.

***Exams:*** There will be two exams; the midterm and the final. Exam
dates are indicated on the course outline. Exams will generally consist
of fill-in-the- blank, multiple choice, and True/False. Problems will be
included where appropriate. No make-up exams will be given unless missed
due to a bona fide emergency.

***Successful completion*** of this course requires each student to
complete the FEMA/DOJ independent study course, [Emergency Response to
Terrorism: Self Study]{.underline}, found at:
<http://www.usfa.fema.gov/dhtml/fire-service/nfa-off3ss2.cfm>. Please
complete this requirement early in the semester to ensure you receive
documentation of completion prior to the end of the semester.

**Academic Conduct and Responsibility:** You are expected to execute all
course assignments and activities in accordance with the University's
Academic Integrity standard (see General Catalog page 80).

Please review: <http://www.asu.edu/studentlife/judicial/integrity.html>

and <http://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/sta/sta104-01.html>

**Course Outline**

**(Assignments to be completed prior to Class Week)**

+-------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| ###   | **Topic**                            | ### Assignment        |
| # Wee |                                      |                       |
| k of: |                                      |                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| 26    | Intro to Terrorism and Weapons of    | Buck (PFT[^1]) Chp 1  |
| Aug   | Mass Destruction/Overview of         |                       |
|       | Terrorism                            | Begin Self Study      |
|       |                                      | Course                |
+-------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| 2     | History of Terrorism/ Concepts of    | Buck Chp (PFT)2       |
| Sept  | Disaster Planning and Terrorism      |                       |
|       | Defense                              | Buck (PFBT[^2]) Chp 3 |
|       |                                      | & 4                   |
+-------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| 9     | Types of Terrorist Agents & WMD      | Bevelacqua Chp 1, 2 & |
| Sept  |                                      | 5                     |
|       | Munitions/Explosives/Nuclear         |                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| 16    | Chemical Weapons                     | Bevelacqua Chp 3 and  |
| Sept  |                                      | Jane's Chem Section   |
+-------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| 23    | Biological Weapons                   | Jane's Bio Secion/    |
| Sept  |                                      | Bevelacqua Chp 4      |
+-------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| 30    | ### Midterm Test                     |                       |
| Sept  |                                      |                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| 7 Oct | Monitoring and Detection Equipment   | Bevelacqua Chp 7      |
|       | for Terrorist Agents                 |                       |
|       |                                      | Hawley (all)          |
+-------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| 14    | Protective Equipment                 | Bevelacqua Chp 6      |
| Oct   |                                      |                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| 21    | Scene Control and                    | Buck (PFT) Chp 5      |
| Oct   | Notification/Coordination            |                       |
|       |                                      | Buck (PFBT) Chp 5 & 6 |
+-------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| 28    | ##### Decontamination and Clean-up   | Bevelacqua Chp 8      |
| Oct   |                                      |                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| 4 Nov | Environmental Terrorism/Additional   | Buck (PFT) Chp 6      |
|       | Policy                               |                       |
|       |                                      |                       |
|       | ####                                 |                       |
|       | ### Posting of Student Presentations |                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------+
| 11    | ### Final                            |                       |
| Nov   |                                      |                       |
+-------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------+

[^1]: Preparing for Terrorism

[^2]: Planning for Biological Terrorism