Protection Missions

Assignment 1

Write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments.. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Note: There are 2 parts to this assignment.

Part 1

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Protection Missions include the following:

• Borders
• Transportation
• Critical infrastructure
  In 100–200 words, answer each of the following questions:
• Of these 3 missions, which do you think is most important, and why?
• Of these 3 missions, which do you think is most difficult to accomplish, and why?
• Of these 3 missions, which do you think DHS does best, and why?
  Part 2
  Science fiction may seem to have the sole purpose of providing entertainment and enjoyment to readers, viewers, or listeners; however, it also has the potential to serve as inspiration. What science-fiction technology do you think would be most effective in combating terrorism? Address the following points in your answer:
• Describe the technology.
• What problem does it solve?
• How does it solve the problem?
• What are potential side effects? (i.e., What other problems does it introduce?)
  Support your arguments with authoritative sources and apply appropriate APA formatting guidelines.
  Assignment 2
  Write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments.. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

  There are 2 parts to this assignment.
  Part 1
  Choose 1 of the following ideas. Argue its feasibility, or lack thereof, and justify your reasoning. Use 200–300 words to make your point.

• Sedate airline passengers to prevent hijacking.
• Solve the communications interoperability problem by requiring all responders to buy their radios from one manufacturing company.
• Attach transponders to foreign visitors to prevent them from becoming illegal aliens and potentially forming sleeper terrorist cells.
  Review and comment on at least 2 other posts.
  Part 2
  In 2012, Congress presented a bill to the President proposing to cut the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate’s budget to $398 million. Of that amount, more than half was earmarked to maintain laboratories and other mandatory spending. That left $106 million for discretionary research and development, amounting to an 80% cut over the previous fiscal year.
  Use 200–300 words to answer the following questions:
• Why do you think Congress cut the Science and Technology (S&T) budget so drastically?
• As President, would you sign or veto the bill that was presented by Congress? Why or why not?
  Support your arguments with authoritative sources and apply appropriate APA formatting guidelines.

  Assignment 3
  Write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments.. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.
  There are 2 parts to this assignment.
  Part 1
  U.S. counterterrorism (CT) strategy is not predicated on technology solutions. The ultimate goal of U.S. CT strategy is to eliminate the root motivations for terrorism. Post your answers to the following questions:

• Identify what you think are at least 3 root causes of terrorism.
• Can these root causes be eliminated? Why or why not?
• Do you think technology should play a lesser or greater role in U.S. CT strategy? Explain your reasoning.
  Part 2
  Review and reflect on the knowledge that you gained during the course, and provide a summary. Post your answers to the following questions:
• How did this course affect your views on technology?
• Do you feel more or less optimistic about your personal security?
• How will the knowledge gained affect your personal behavior?
  Support your arguments with authoritative sources and apply appropriate APA formatting guidelines.