Introduction to Homeland Security: Preparation, Threats, and Response

The first comprehensive collection of readings on the topic, Introduction to Homeland Security provides students with the most recent research and policy related to homeland security in the United States.

The text is divided into three parts. In Part 1, students become familiar with the genesis and mission of the Department of Homeland Security. Part 2 addresses threats to homeland security, and Part 3 explores responses to these threats.

In addition to discussing recent developments in homeland security, the anthology also gives historical perspective and covers policy and operations.

Appendices at the end of the text present information on initial homeland security presidential directives, how the structure of government changed after the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the structure of the department, communication networking, and the cybersecurity chain of command.

Informed by expertise in the areas of criminology and law enforcement, Introduction to Homeland Security gives readers a firm understanding of this new area of study. The book can be used in courses on law enforcement, criminal justice, criminology, political science, sociology, anthropology and psychology.

Mark M. Lanier, Ph.D., received his interdisciplinary doctoral degree with a concentration in criminology, sociology, and psychology from Michigan State University. Dr. Lanier is a professor and Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Alabama and is the university's McNair Fellow for 2013. He has over 60 scholarly publications, including Research Methods in Criminology: A Mixed Methods Approach, co-authored with Lisa Briggs, and Essential Criminology, co-authored with Stuart Henry. Currently, Dr. Lanier is developing epidemiological criminology as a bridge between public health, medical sociology, and criminal justice.

Ted Sexton, recently appointed as Director of the Los Angeles Homeland Security Division, has taught courses in homeland security and criminal justice for the Department of Criminal Justice. A longtime Tuscaloosa County sheriff, in 2007 he was honored as the nation’s Outstanding Sheriff of the Year.