Behavioral Science (BEHS) CPSO

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Course numbers with the # symbol included (e.g. #400) have not been taught in the last 3 years.

BEHS 445 - Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Credits: 4

This course presents an overview of the homeland security and emergency management field and enables students entering the profession or expanding their roles to function effectively given a broad array of emergency management issues. This course provides students with a broad view of issues that focus on policy considerations and align with the five National Preparedness System mission areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. Students learn critical concepts such as the Department of Homeland Security all-hazards approach of emergency management, risk prevention, counter-terrorism, and consequence management and mitigation. This course takes a behavioral science risk-based approach, assessing capabilities and identifying gaps within existing emergency management programs. This approach is instrumental to planning future homeland security and emergency management programs, which facilitate our nation's ability to improve emergency management.

Prerequisite(s): PSY 410 with a minimum grade of D- or PSY 501G with a minimum grade of D- or SOC 501G with a minimum grade of D- or SOCI 410 with a minimum grade of D- or CRIM 410 with a minimum grade of D- or CRIM 500G with a minimum grade of D- or MGMT 410 with a minimum grade of D- or MGMT 500G with a minimum grade of D-.

Equivalent(s): BEHS 505G

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

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  1. Define the core concepts of emergency management and how they relate to best practices in the field.
  2. Illustrate how the emergency management profession defines itself.
  3. Discuss strategies for integrating teamwork to improve contributions to emergency management teams.
  4. Apply the behavioral science risk-based approach to emergency management capabilities.

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BEHS 510 - National Incident Management Systems (NIMS)

Credits: 4

This course examines the comprehensive approach guiding the whole community - all levels of government (federal, state, county, and town), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector - to work together seamlessly to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the effects of emergency incidents. The course provides students with an understanding of National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) concepts, principles, and components.

Prerequisite(s): BEHS 445 with a minimum grade of D- or BEHS 505G with a minimum grade of D-.

Equivalent(s): BEHS 510G

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

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  1. Describe how uniting all incident personnel, from on-scene responders to individuals in Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), helps to prepare the nation for catastrophic disasters.
  2. Describe how NIMS concepts and principles aim to promote consistency in NIMS implementation across the nation.
  3. Compare the effectiveness of organizations that have and have not met the requirements for NIMS criteria in the nation’s all-hazards approach to emergency management.
  4. Design a project-based tabletop exercise, a comprehensive approach that guides the whole community (WC), that represents the unique and diverse needs of a population, including its demographics, values, norms, community structures, networks, and relationships.

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BEHS 544 - Special Topics: Lower Level

Credits: 1-4

A study of current and variable topics in Behavioral Science. Course content changes from term to term.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated up to unlimited times.

Equivalent(s): BEHS 544G

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

BEHS 595 - Practicum in Behavioral Science

Credits: 4

This practicum is an entry-level field experience designed to assist behavioral science majors in exploring career and vocational settings in which they can use and apply their behavioral science knowledge and skills. The nature of the practicum is exploratory, involves extensive initiative in designing and implementing the practicum, and is conducted under the supervision of the practicum instructor. A supplementary objective of the practicum is to explore and assess possibilities for settings and situations in which the student may engage in an upper-level behavioral science internship. Earlier registration deadlines may apply.

Prerequisite(s): PSY 410 with a minimum grade of D- or PSY 501G with a minimum grade of D- or SOC 501G with a minimum grade of D- or SOCI 410 with a minimum grade of D- or CRIM 500G with a minimum grade of D- or CRIM 410 with a minimum grade of D-.

Equivalent(s): BEHS 540G

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

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  1. Assess how behavioral-science-related education is operationalized in an authentic work environment in terms of how theory transfers to professional practice.
  2. Illustrate how the sponsoring organization, agency, and/or program is structured, funded, and administered.
  3. Reflect on the impact of the field-based experience on the formation of career aspirations.
  4. Demonstrate networking, communication, and professional proficiency in an authentic work environment that aligns with industry performance standards.
  5. Develop a profile of personal career opportunities and compensation that reflect an accurate assessment of the employment marketplace.

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BEHS 610 - Community Emergency Response

Credits: 4

The focus of this course is on disaster preparedness and training and organizing teams that can support communities during disasters. The course provides disaster response process knowledge, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. Community emergency response knowledge is used to develop strategies to protect families, neighbors, and co-workers if a disaster occurs. How to plan, execute, and evaluate disaster preparedness desktop exercises will be addressed.

Prerequisite(s): BEHS 445 with a minimum grade of D- or BEHS 505G with a minimum grade of D-.

Equivalent(s): BEHS 610G

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

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  1. Develop a portfolio of strategies and skills for effectively and appropriately managing a community emergency response.
  2. Identify necessary resources and how to obtain them to help mitigate disaster damage while improving community emergency response.
  3. Describe various public health emergencies and the resources needed to minimize the threat to and effects on the public.
  4. Analyze the psychological impact of disasters on both civilians and first responders, as well as strategies to mitigate this impact.

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BEHS 644 - Special Topics: Upper Level

Credits: 1-4

A study of current and variable topics in Behavioral Science. Course content changes from term to term. It is expected that the learner will have prior coursework or experience in the subject area.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated up to unlimited times.

Equivalent(s): BEHS 644G

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

BEHS 665 - Disaster Management

Credits: 4

This course addresses the complexity of issues related to disaster management, including a history of the field, key legislation impacting the field, comprehensive emergency management and integrated emergency management, and current issues in the field. This course explores emergency management systems used to lessen the potential impact of disasters. Approaches related to policy, sustainability, public education, disaster exercises, programming, and the built environment are all considered.

Prerequisite(s): BEHS 445 with a minimum grade of D- or BEHS 505G with a minimum grade of D- or FSA 605 with a minimum grade of D- or FSA 605G with a minimum grade of D-.

Equivalent(s): BEHS 617G

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

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  1. Articulate the foundations of an all-hazards approach to disasters and associated natural/human events.
  2. Discuss disaster management theory.
  3. Describe the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) strategic framework for countering changing threats and existing emergency management strategies, which encompass policy, sustainability, public education, and disaster exercises.
  4. Analyze methods of gaining community involvement as an essential part of successful humanitarian assistance in an all-hazards approach to disaster management.
  5. Explain how technological innovations in disaster risk reduction provide advantages for better disaster mitigation preparedness.
  6. Analyze methods of disaster management by conducting independent disaster management research about a case study, including a data search and trend analysis, and presenting the results of this analysis.

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BEHS 675 - Terrorism: Domestic and International

Credits: 4

This course is designed to acquaint students with the major issues in the growing threat of domestic and global terrorism. Topics include an overview of the history and development of terrorism, types of terrorism, terrorist groups, the psychology of terrorism, the structure and dynamics of terrorist groups, terrorists' techniques, financing of terrorism, the media and terrorism, legal issues, and terrorism of the future.

Equivalent(s): BEHS 615G

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

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  1. Compare and contrast the tenets, history, and development of domestic and international terrorism.
  2. Analyze the necessity of studying both domestic and international terrorism.
  3. Compare and contrast distinct types of terrorist groups and summarize the groups’ dynamics.
  4. Apply select emergency management theories to terrorist events and their prevention.
  5. Analyze the legal issues related to dealing with global terrorism.

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BEHS 695 - Internship in Behavioral Science

Credits: 4

This course is a field-based internship designed to develop and hone the practical application skills of a Behavioral Science major. Students apply for an internship at a self-selected site and negotiate the terms of the internship experience with a site supervisor under the general auspices of their faculty mentor. The internship requires documented evidence of eighty hours of supervised experience and practice in a field setting where behavioral science-related knowledge and skills are applied. NOTE: It is recommended that students have completed the majority of upper level course work in their major prior to enrolling in this course. Registration for this course is by permission of Academic Affairs. Earlier registration deadlines may apply.

Equivalent(s): BEHS 640G

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

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  1. Complete an in-depth, supervised experience in a field setting that is related to the behavioral sciences and the student’s chosen career path.
  2. Explain the internship site’s mission statement and how the organization and its services serve the community and its designated clientele.
  3. Apply behavioral science knowledge, skills, and methods to specific field settings, client populations, or service clientele.
  4. Improve their behavioral science-related skills, methods, and techniques.
  5. Describe the importance of assessment, evaluation, and quality assurance in the context of the internship site’s work.

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