National Security Law (900)

This course examines the legal framework for national and homeland security, especially in light of the evolution in this area of law following the events of September 11, 2001. The course includes detailed analysis and discussion of the separation of war and security powers among the three branches of government and current issues surrounding the role of each branch. After exploring domestic law and its impact on national security policies, the course will introduce principles of international law and the interplay between these principles and this country's domestic laws. Topics covered will include separation of powers, the role of international law on national security, the exercise of war powers in specific military conflicts, the detention of enemy combatants, an overview of U.S. intelligence agencies, a review of relevant statutes including the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, the Classified Information Procedures Act, and the Espionage Act, and discussion of various national security legal issues raised by events that occur during the semester.

Students who have completed 27 credits may use this course to satisfy their upper-level writing requirement.  If taking for ULW, must concurrently register for Upper-Level Writing Workshop unless the Workshop has already been successfully completed.