Course Syllabus

Description: 3 credit hour course related to provide a common foundation to students in contemporary issues related to public safety management and organization. Public safety for this class is defined as fire, law enforcement and corrections, emergency medical services, emergency management, and homeland security organizations. This class has a significant amount of reading, writing, research, and video review.

Rationale: The Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Organizational Management (BAS SOM) is designed to equip students with technical and applied management skills, enabling them to enhance the productivity and efficiency of organizations. PAD 3821 is a required course for completion of the Public Safety Management concentration in the BAS SOM program and will introduce students to practical competencies and attitudes necessary for effective leadership and management across public safety organizations. Students will typically enroll in this course during their second year in the program.

Impact Assessment: This is a required course for students focusing in the Public Safety Management concentration. Prerequisites: MAN 3930, at minimum an AA or AS degree, college admissions requirements, and admission to the SOM degree program, or with department permission.

Course Learning Outcomes (SOM Program Outcome): Prepare organizations and manage structures, processes, and personnel for high performance, including organization, design, team work, goal setting, strategic planning, organizational development, and values management. Understand current and future concerns in public safety fields and develop planning and strategies for adaptation and resolution. Recognition of structural and management differences between typical public safety organizations and private business models.

 

Course Objectives:

1. Analyze current issues related to public safety administration and homeland security and their implications.

2. Research current topics and develop knowledge and technology skills for presentation of information.

3. Analyze current problems using insight, principles, and techniques for evaluating solutions to current and future issues.

4. Apply critical thinking skills in the formulation of recommendations for solutions to current and future issues.

5. Critique the relationships between ethics, morals, and values and public safety management.

6. Research core structural differences between typical public safety organizations and traditional business or private operational models.

 

Methods of Instruction: Lecture, case studies, reading, research, and review, online resources, public safety agency familiarization / tours, and group discussions amongst others.

Methods of Evaluation: Reading & lecture material critiques, presentation projects, public agency ride alongs, public safety administrator interviews, class discussions, exams and quizzes, amongst others.

 

Resources and Textbooks: Since this class content will change dynamically in response to "contemporary issues in public safety," textbooks and resources will change from semester to semester and even within a semester. However, resources will likely include contemporary periodicals in public safety disciplines, relevant government websites such as the Department of Justice and Federal Emergency Management Association for example, and local and media periodicals. Students in this class will also be expected to identify relevant sources during the course of the class. See the "Page" titled "Resources" for more information.

 

Assignments Overview

This overview is designed to assist the student in determining the total amount of coursework necessary in this class, point totals, and when those assignments are due. As stated in the course syllabus, this class has a significant amount of reading, writing, research, and video review. 

This overview is designed to help in "pacing" yourself and keeping on task during the semester.

Realize that this overview is general in nature. Students should go to the individual assignments listed to see actual due dates, assignment criteria, and how they will be graded. Due dates for assignments are also very strict so work which is turned in late results in severe points reduction.

Postings / Questions / Comments  - Please ensure any postings are constructive and will benefit the class. You can also email the lead instructor directly if you have specific questions.

The instructors want you to be successful so this overview if offered purely for your benefit.

Assignments in this class are divided into "Groups" including -

- 6-8 group discussions

- 5-7 video reviews

- 4-7 research and writing papers

- 3-4 quizzes

 - 1 introduction / acknowledgment assignment

- 1 shadow / ride-along assignment

- 1 presentation project assignment

- Periodic project updates

  

Individual assignments are listed roughly in the order they are due. All are listed under the "Modules" section of canvas & all modules correspond to weeks and dates. You can also look at "Assignments" tabs for more complete information about each one.

The course is set up over a 15 week schedule and at this writing, there are roughly 1,000 total points available. This could change slightly based on feedback from students on necessary topics or assignments. However, here are the grades associated with that amount of points. 

 

Total Points available: 1,000 

Grading:

A = 900-1000 points

B = 800-899 points

C = 700-799 points

D = 600-699 points

F = Below 600 points

 

Students Rights and Responsibilities: All students in this class have rights and responsibilities that are valued and followed by the class instructor(s). All students will be expected to read this in its entirety and report any concerns to the instructors and the academic chair. http://www.sfcollege.edu/studentaffairs/?section=policies/student_rights

Student Conduct Code and Academic Integrity: All students in this class are expected to follow the SF College Student Conduct Code in its entirety. http://www.sfcollege.edu/studentaffairs/?section=student_conduct  This includes many rules and laws that ensure a safe and effective learning environment. Pay particular attention to matters related to academic integrity such as cheating and plagiarism which relate to ethics, morals, values and professionalism in the area of public safety.  

Notice of Equal Access / Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination: All students in this class have the right to learn in an environment that embraces diversity, respects the rights of all individuals, is open and accessible, and is free of harassment and discrimination based on, but not limited to, ethnicity, race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, veteran status, and genetic information. The College does not discriminate in its programs and activities, including employment and admissions. http://www.sfcollege.edu/legalnotices/?section=Equal_Access_and_Equal_Opportunity

 

This class will provide you opportunities which enable you to grow, learn, and succeed in the public safety areas of fire, law enforcement, emergency medical services, emergency management, and homeland security. Your instructors are Santa Fe College Chief of Police Ed Book and Dr. Shefali Tripathi, Ph.D, a crime analyst. Let us know how we can help.