RIT Expands Offering of Course on Terrorism

Increased demand expected due to terrorist attacks on the United States


In response to expected demand in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States and incidents of Anthrax-tainted mail, Rochester Institute of Technology’s civil engineering technology/environmental management and safety department is expanding its offering of the course, Terrorism, which will be taught in both winter and spring quarters this academic year.

"Since the course has always been nearly full, it seems logical to make it more available," explains Maureen Valentine, department chair.

The course, one of six required to earn a certificate in emergency management, examines the history and patterns of terrorism, reviews specific terrorist incidents and how they were handled by local and federal organizations, discusses the role of the news media, and explores planning for and responding to potential terrorist threats.

"It’s a technical course focusing on preparation and response related to terrorist incidents," Valentine says.

Introduced in 1990, the 24-hour certificate program was created primarily for emergency-response professionals such as firefighters, police officers, emergency medical workers, and city and town planners responsible for crisis-response plans related to man-made and natural disasters. Other courses include Emergency Operations, Emergency Planning and Methodology, Emergency Preparedness Laws and Regulations, Man-made Hazards, and Earth Science.

Course credits can count as professional electives in the safety technology bachelor’s degree program or can be applied toward an applied arts and sciences bachelor’s degree in the Center for Multidisciplinary Studies, both in RIT’s College of Applied Science and Technology.

In addition, RIT’s criminal justice department in the College of Liberal Arts will offer its popular course, Terrorism and Hostage Taking, in spring 2002.


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