Course Syllabus

C200803 Course Syllabus

Defense Support of Civil Authorities

Course Description

The Department of Defense (DoD) has an immense capability to support local, State, and Tribal governments when a disaster exceeds their capabilities. The mission area, known as defense support of civil authorities (DSCA), provides a concerted and structured effort to render DoD assistance while maintaining the federal nature of our government. As local emergency management and homeland security professionals, you will gain an understanding of how and why the DoD supports local efforts during disasters.

Course Topics

• The history of defense support of civil authorities (DSCA)
• The doctrine and strategies that underpin DoD DSCA activities
• The legal frameworks, missions, and forces related to DSCA
• The organization of and processes for DoD DSCA support
• Contemporary case studies in DSCA support

Contact Information

Instructor Marcus Devine     marc.a.devine@gmail.com

Canvas Information

Canvas is the where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course. The course is taught in asynchronous time utilizing a wide assortment of documents, reports, articles, videos, and other instructional material all accessible without cost online.

This course requires a computer with Internet access. You will need to be able to create files on the computer you will be using. Please ensure that you have the required computer capabilities before participating in this course.

Reading & Other Materials

A wide assortment of reports, articles, videos, and other instructional material will be assigned. All assigned materials are accessible without cost online. Assignments for each week of the course are all provided on the Readings pages for each week.

Course Requirements

• Assigned thematic reading and viewing of online material;
• Two (2) 150 - 200 word postings and two (2) 50-word replies to a classmate’s posting or the instructor’s questions for each week of the course on the course website;
• One posting assignment on a FEMA Independent Study Course;
• One Case Study at the end of Week 2;
• A Graded Quiz at the end of Week 3; and
• A Final Graded Assessment at the end of Week 4

Students are expected to complete all of the course reading and viewing assignments. In addition, all are expected to read everything that is posted in the Announcements and Discussion Board Areas of the course website.

Grading Rubric

Learners will be evaluated based on the scores they earn on each of the course requirements. The maximum scores possible are as follows:

Grading Policy

Grades will be assigned on the basis of the following percentages of total points:

A = 90 - 100 points

B = 80 - 89 points

C = 70 - 79 points

D = 65- 69 points

F = 0 - 64 points

65 points and greater is Passing. Less than 65 points is Failing.

Course Parameters, Resources & Limitations

The course is fully web-based. Each week's assignments will be due as delineated in the Syllabus. (See the Course Schedule at the beginning of the Syllabus for the exact dates.) It is important that learners meet the deadline for transmittal of the completed Final Graded Assessment on or by the last day of the course. It is particularly important for learners to keep current with the postings as it can be very difficult to catch up and complete the course on time.

Learners with Disabilities

Auburn University is committed to providing accommodations and services to learners with documented disabilities. Any learner with a qualified disability which requires accommodations should contact The Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center, Auburn University, AL 36849, 334-844-2096 PH, 334-844-2099 FAX, haynemd@auburn.edu. More information is available on their website at www.auburn.edu/disability. The office will fax or mail the required forms to learners to apply for services. Learners who have questions regarding participation in this course should contact the above office in advance to ensure proper accommodations.

Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty

Plagiarism is the act of presenting directly or indirectly someone else’s work as your own. Plagiarism is a major type of academic dishonesty and will not be tolerated. Similarly cheating on tests in any way, falsifying bibliographies, fraudulent quotes, and similar practices are intolerable forms of academic dishonesty. The University’s policy for academic misconduct in the Learner Code of Conduct will be followed for this course (Tiger Club, pp. 83 and 92).