Graded Requirements

 

Assignment:

You are an advisor in the Secretary of Homeland Security's policy planning staff.  

In the wake of Katrina, the Homeland Security Advisor and National Security Advisor are convening a joint Homeland Security Council (HSC)/National Security Council (NSC) Principals Committee (PC) meeting next week, to discuss the appropriate role of military forces in responding to domestic incidents of national significance, and on the appropriate coordinating structures between the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security.   The purpose of the PC is to achieve consensus among the HSC and NSC principals on their recommendations to the President, or, if consensus cannot be achieved, to limit the points of disagreement and frame the available options for the President's consideration.  

The Secretary asks you for an analysis of the issue and recommendations.    This memo is your response to the Secretary's request. 

 

Administrative Requirements:

Due 15 Feb 06, paper copy in class, also emailed to instructor, NLT 0840. 

2-3 pages; single spaced; Times New Roman; 11-pitch or 12-pitch font; one inch margins; no cover page; don't number paragraphs; no page number on page one; include page numbers on pages 2 and up, centered at the bottom of the page.  For matters of style, refer to William Strunck, Jr. and E.B. White, The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition (Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon, 2000).  

Follow the format and guidance in this policy memo format (similar to memos prepared in the White House and many government agencies, most of which are usually about three pages, though sometimes longer if appropriate).    Here is an example of a policy memo written in graduate school.  You can include a lot of analysis in 2-3 pages.  Your memo should provide analysis and recommendations, not simply summarize facts or issues.

Some Pointers on Writing Effective Policy Memoranda (you don't necessarily need to satisfy every one of these pointers in your submission, but this list is based on experience and should prove helpful):

• Make it clear why the official is reading the memo. 

• State your main point clearly up front. 

• Use an effective title. 

• Provide up front a "roadmap" for the rest of the memo. 

• Use sub-headings that reinforce the "roadmap" and main argument. 

• Make your memo as readable and quickly digestible as possible, while still including whatever level of detail and analysis are necessary -- don't oversimplify complex issues. 

• Don't just dissect the problem -- provide solutions. 

• Show how your recommendations will improve the current situation. 

• Don't assume more or less familiarity with the issue than the official is likely to have. 

• Think about the full dimensions of the problem. 

• Think beyond the present .  .  .   consider the future. 

• Don't neglect the politics.    Consider opposition. 

• Discuss implementation. 

• Be wary of adjectives, especially "clearly" and "obviously," which can backfire at the expense of your credibility.    What if it's not clear or obvious to the official?  If you say that "clearly, action is needed," and the official doesn't act, then you've (a) questioned their judgment, and/or (b) impugned the quality of your advice.    Similarly, rare are the circumstances that you should tell an official that they "must" do something, though there are times when strong recommendations are necessary. 

• Consider the consequences of non-action, if appropriate. 

• Provide alternatives, if appropriate. 

 

This Assignment Supports the Following Course Objectives:

Develop the ability of aspiring officers to conduct and convey critical analysis, both written and oral. 

Provide aspiring officers with a thorough understanding of the homeland security challenge, and the manner with which homeland security is similar to, and different from, other national security challenges. 

Develop an understanding of how homeland security policy intersects with domestic policy, and the unique challenges that homeland security poses to competing national priorities such as international trade. 

Develop an understanding of the doctrinal foundations of current homeland security policy and how it fits with related but distinct policy areas: combating terrorism, counterproliferation, and homeland defense. 

Foster an appreciation of state, local, and private sector roles and responsibilities in homeland security. 

Develop an understanding of the appropriate role of the military in homeland security. 

Acquire a theoretical and practical understanding of moral, ethical, organizational, legal, fiscal, and cultural challenges to improving homeland security. 

Acquire sufficient perspective and knowledge to critically evaluate whether homeland security policies, individually or cumulatively, pose a risk to American values, civil liberties, or way of life. 

Develop a basic understanding of interagency and intergovernmental processes, and foster an awareness of the skills necessary for military officers to work effectively with civilian counterparts across a broad range of professional disciplines. 

Foster the ability to develop creative approaches to border security, transportation security, intelligence and warning, domestic counterterrorism, critical infrastructure protection, and emergency preparedness and response. 

 

Assignment:

You are a staffer in the Emergency Preparedness and Critical Infrastructure Protection Directorate in the Homeland Security Council. 

Terrorists successfully execute nearly simultaneous attacks against two privately owned U.  S.   industrial chemical facilities (using high yield explosives) and a Monday night football game (three suicide bombers).  Total casualties approach 5,000 dead and wounded, of which 140 dead and 210 wounded were a result of the suicide bombings.  As facts about the attacks emerge, it quickly becomes clear that the key steps that would have had the greatest chance of preventing, deterring or mitigating the attacks would have required action by the private sector owners, not the government. 

The President has asked the Homeland Security Advisor to report to him within seven days, and provide specific recommendations on how to compel, require, and/or provide incentives and disincentives to ensure necessary private sector action in the future.  The President asks you to do so in a way that will limit significant long-term harm to the domestic economy, nor significantly erode America’s global competitiveness. 

The Homeland Security Advisor asks you to prepare a memo providing your recommendations, with supporting analysis, for her consideration prior to her meeting with the President. 

 

Administrative Requirements:

Due 7 Mar 06, paper copy in class, also emailed to instructor, NLT 0840. 

3 pages.  Other administrative guidance same as above. 

 

Coordinating Requirement:

Since this question involves important economic issues, you need to coordinate your memo with the President's Council of Economic Advisors and the National Economic Council. 

For the purpose of this assignment, "coordination" entails contacting an Economics instructor of your choice in the Department of Social Sciences (in person, via phone, or via email), asking them to briefly review your recommendations and provide feedback (in person or via email), and then incorporating their feedback into your final submission.  You must effect such coordination not later than 3 March 06.  A portion of your grade will reflect the Economic instructor's assessment of how well you incorporated their feedback.  

 

This Assignment Supports the Following Course Objectives:

Develop the ability of aspiring officers to conduct and convey critical analysis, both written and oral. 

Provide aspiring officers with a thorough understanding of the homeland security challenge, and the manner with which homeland security is similar to, and different from, other national security challenges. 

Develop an understanding of how homeland security policy intersects with domestic policy, and the unique challenges that homeland security poses to competing national priorities such as international trade. 

Develop an understanding of the international dimensions of homeland security policy, and how those dimensions interact with the whole of US foreign policy. 

Foster an appreciation of state, local, and private sector roles and responsibilities in homeland security. 

Acquire a theoretical and practical understanding of moral, ethical, organizational, legal, fiscal, and cultural challenges to improving homeland security. 

Develop a basic understanding of interagency and intergovernmental processes, and foster an awareness of the skills necessary for military officers to work effectively with civilian counterparts across a broad range of professional disciplines. 

Foster the ability to develop creative approaches to border security, transportation security, intelligence and warning, domestic counterterrorism, critical infrastructure protection, and emergency preparedness and response. 

 

Assignment:

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security is holding a hearing entitled "Immigration Policy to Secure the Northern and Southern Borders," and has invited four persons to testify: (1) the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs; (2) the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection with the Department of Homeland Security; (3) a member of an interest group that favors strict control of illegal immigration through improved physical security along the border, increased interior enforcement, increased penalties and deportations of illegal immigrants, and no temporary worker programs or amnesty programs; (4) a member of an interest group that favors control of the physical border coupled with a temporary worker program, controls over the preventive detention and deportation of non-US persons in violation of their visas, among other policies. 

We will divide class into four groups of four to five students each.  We will determine the groups on 9 Mar 06.  Each group will collectively represent one of the witnesses above.  The remaining students will serve as Democratic or Republican members of the Committee.  Professor Margaret Stock, Assistant Professor in the Department of Law and an expert on immigration law, will chair the committee.

We will hold the hearing in class on 31 Mar 06.  The Chairman will call the hearing to order promptly at the beginning of class.    Each group should select one spokesperson to give a 90-second (firm time limit) opening statement, however all members of the group (not just the spokesperson) must participate during the hearing.    The Chair will then open the hearing for Committee members to question the witnesses. 

 

Administrative Requirements:

Not later than 29 Mar 06, 1500: each group will email a written statement for the record, not longer than 4 pages single-spaced, to the Committee (the instructor, any other faculty members, and students serving as Committee members). 

You should follow the format of testimony assigned as readings in this course, or may download written testimony from the internet as a guide to format. 

4 April 06, start of class: We will conduct an "after action review" of the hearing.

 

Handling Questions and Answers in a Congressional Hearing:

• Show openness and enthusiasm for the chance to answer questions and express your views. 

• Anticipate the most obvious and difficult questions and prepare careful answers in advance. 

• If possible, refer to your questioner by name or by title (e.g., Madam Secretary, Mr.   Chairman, Senator Doe). 

• Listen actively with nonverbal cues (nods, smiles, frowns, etc.  )

• Pause before answering. 

• Be brief, direct, and concerned. 

• Always answer honestly. 

• Try to restate your key points within your response.    While being responsive to the question, make a smooth transition to the main message you want to get across. 

• Use concrete examples and brief anecdotes in your answer. 

• Don't bluff if you don't know (but keep to a minimum).  

• If the answer to a question is classified, or would invade someone's privacy, it's OK to say so.    Then bridge to one of your messages. 

• Ask for clarification when necessary (but keep to a minimum). 

• Protect the record.    If a questioner asks you a question based on false data, be sure to protect and, if necessary, correct the record. 

• Interrupt rarely and always tactfully. 

• Avoid engaging too long with one person. 

• Avoid making more than three points at a time. 

• Show respect for hostile opposition, but respond with cordial confidence.  

• Don't argue, though there are times when a questioner is confrontational and you must "step up" to the situation to maintain control.  

• End on a high note, maintaining control. 

 

Preparing for a Congressional Hearing or Media Interview (excerpts drawn from the US Air Force's media training program):

Your success is directly tied to the quality of your preparation, your ability to articulate your messages, and the level of control you exercise during the hearing or interview.    Don't think that a hearing or interview is a conversation and that you can "wing it.  "  View it instead as an opportunity for you to make a well-developed presentation reflecting research, preparation, and enthusiasm. 

Messages.    You should never enter a hearing room or do an interview unless you know exactly what you want to say and how you want to say it.    You should anticipate the issues and questions and be equipped with short, memorable, positive and relevant messages with which to respond. 

Use the "inverted pyramid" to structure your answers:

Tools.    Here are some basic techniques you can use to get your messages across:

• Bridging is smoothly transitioning from the question asked to your messages.    A direct question deserves a direct answer.    But then, after briefly touching upon the answer, bridge to your messages and your agenda. 

• Hooking is taking advantage of opportunities to help focus on what you want to talk about.    The idea is to entice the questioner into your agenda.   

• Flagging is simply a way to underscore, verbally and nonverbally, what's important within your answers.    You can use voice inflection, a hand gesture, eye conact, body language or a phrase like, "What is really critical to know about this issue.  .  .  " to ensure the questioner and audience have a clear understanding of what you think is important. 

• Personal credibility is never forgetting that you are the expert - that's why the committee has invited you to testify, or the media has come to you for an interview.    Use your personal knowledge and experience to avoid speaking in the abstract.    If you can say "I've talked to the men and women manning our southwest border .  .  .  " or "I have personal experience within my family with the difficulty of legally immigrating to the United States" ...   do it.    Critics will never be shy about their credentials - neither should you. 

 

This Assignment Supports the Following Course Objectives:

Develop the ability of aspiring officers to conduct and convey critical analysis, both written and oral. 

Provide aspiring officers with a thorough understanding of the homeland security challenge, and the manner with which homeland security is similar to, and different from, other national security challenges. 

Develop an understanding of how homeland security policy intersects with domestic policy, and the unique challenges that homeland security poses to competing national priorities such as international trade. 

Develop an understanding of the international dimensions of homeland security policy, and how those dimensions interact with the whole of US foreign policy. 

Foster an appreciation of state, local, and private sector roles and responsibilities in homeland security. 

Acquire a theoretical and practical understanding of moral, ethical, organizational, legal, fiscal, and cultural challenges to improving homeland security. 

Acquire sufficient perspective and knowledge to critically evaluate whether homeland security policies, individually or cumulatively, pose a risk to American values, civil liberties, or way of life. 

Develop a basic understanding of interagency and intergovernmental processes, and foster an awareness of the skills necessary for military officers to work effectively with civilian counterparts across a broad range of professional disciplines. 

Foster the ability to develop creative approaches to border security, transportation security, intelligence and warning, domestic counterterrorism, critical infrastructure protection, and emergency preparedness and response. 

 

You will complete one 2-3 page guest lecture synopses during the semester.  Your instructor will determine which lectures you synopsize, with consideration of your preferences.   Each is worth 25 points. 

Follow the guest lecture synopsis format, which includes guidance on the intent and substance of the assignment.  This format is similar to that for policy memos prepared in the National Security Council and Homeland Security Council. 

Email me your synopses prior to the next class following the guest lecture, and provide me a paper copy in class. 

 

This Assignment Supports the Following Course Objectives:

Develop the ability of aspiring officers to conduct and convey critical analysis, both written and oral. 

Provide aspiring officers with a thorough understanding of the homeland security challenge, and the manner with which homeland security is similar to, and different from, other national security challenges. 

Foster the ability to develop creative approaches to border security, transportation security, intelligence and warning, domestic counterterrorism, critical infrastructure protection, and emergency preparedness and response. 

 

 

Administrative Requirements:

You will complete a 2-3 page synopsis of the trip section.   Prepare your synopsis in Army memorandum format.  Unlike the guest lecture synopses, you may structure the substance of your synopsis in any manner you wish, the guiding principle being that you should adopt the structure that best communicates what you want to say.  While you may find it necessary to provide a summary overview of the events and officials we visited, keep it very succinct (perhaps bulletize).  I'm going on the trip too, so I will know where we went, who we saw, and what we discussed.  As with the guest lecture synopsis, I want to read your analysis, synthesized with everything you have learned in the course to date. 

Email me your synopsis prior to the due date, and provide me a paper copy in class. 

Attached is an "A" synopsis from last semester. 

 

This Assignment Supports the Following Course Objectives:

Develop the ability of aspiring officers to conduct and convey critical analysis, both written and oral. 

Provide aspiring officers with a thorough understanding of the homeland security challenge, and the manner with which homeland security is similar to, and different from, other national security challenges. 

Foster the ability to develop creative approaches to border security, transportation security, intelligence and warning, domestic counterterrorism, critical infrastructure protection, and emergency preparedness and response. 

 

 

Assignment:

You are the senior national security and homeland security policy advisor to a prospective presidential candidate for the 2008 election. 

You are meeting regularly with the candidate to review policy, identify the candidate’s policy priorities, develop the candidate’s specific proposals, and, ultimately, plan and refine strategy for the campaign.  Your next major meeting is to discuss what will become a major theme of the campaign: the appropriate balance of counterterrorism security measures and civil liberties.  Your candidate has already made strong statements reflecting that the array of current policies is unbalanced: not only does the current Administration’s approach unduly erode Americans’ civil liberties, it does so with policies that are not optimally effective (and even counterproductive) in increasing our security from terrorism.

To prepare for the meeting, your top priority for the next two weeks is the writing of a “white paper” exploring this issue.  A “white paper” is a colloquial term in the policy community for an analysis or “thought piece” that dissects a complex problem and charts a provisional path forward.  It is substantively meatier than a policy memo (containing a more comprehensive and systematic analysis that weights thoroughness over brevity), and makes only broad policy suggestions, though few, if any, refined policy proposals.  Rather, the goal of a “white paper” is to communicate an analysis of the full dimensions of a problem, and outline a strategic approach that can serve as the foundation for specific policies and actions.  “White papers” can vary greatly in length (in general, from 5-6 pages long, to 25-30 pages long).  Within the executive branch, they are often used to frame discussion of a policy issue within an official’s personal staff (e.g. the Chief of Staff of the Army), within a single organization (e.g. the Army Staff, the National Security Council), or across agencies (e.g. the staffs of multiple Cabinet departments such as State, Defense, Justice, CIA, etc.). 

Your assignment is to write a white paper that critically examines current policy, explores the appropriate balance of counterterrorism security measures and civil liberties in a coherent and thoughtful way, and articulates a strategic approach for the future.

 

Substantive Guidance:

Your paper should encompass the key issues associated with homeland security policies and civil liberties.  This may include many, if not all, of the following: law enforcement investigative practices (e.g. surveillance, searches, wiretapping, access to personal records, etc.); immigration policy and enforcement; other border security policies; watchlisting and screening; biometrics; identification and documentation standards;  gathering, integrating, maintaining, and sharing information on US persons; domestic intelligence; as well as other topics discussed in the course.

Your paper should draw on the course readings, particularly those associated with the topics above.  You may also draw on your own research.  You will likely find it necessary to be very specific, within the space constraints, in your discussion of important technical, legal, and ethical issues.

Your paper should apply in some manner concepts and issues discussed by Heymann and Posner, should seek to articulate a conceptual framework for striking the appropriate balance between security and liberty, and should offer a vision for your candidate’s approach on this issue. 

 

Administrative Requirements:

4-6 pages; single-spaced.  Times New Roman; 11- or 12-pitch font; one inch margins; no cover page; don’t number paragraphs; no page number on page one; include page numbers on pages 2 and up, centered at the bottom of the page.

The top of page 1 should look as such:

 

Title of Your Paper

 

Your Name

May 12, 2006

 

You may divide your paper into sections with section headings, but do not break down your sections into subsections, etc.  Stay consistent with general guidance I have previously provided on structure, titles of headings, etc.

Turn-in a hard-copy of your paper at the beginning of our final class, and email me a copy of your paper prior to class.

 

This Assignment Supports the Following Course Objectives:

• Provide aspiring officers with a thorough understanding of the homeland security challenge, and the manner with which homeland security is similar to, and different from, other national security challenges.

• Develop an understanding of how homeland security policy intersects with domestic policy, and the unique challenges that homeland security poses to competing national priorities such as international trade.

• Acquire a theoretical and practical understanding of moral, ethical, organizational, legal, fiscal, and cultural challenges to improving homeland security.

• Acquire sufficient perspective and knowledge to critically evaluate whether homeland security policies, individually or cumulatively, pose a risk to American values, civil liberties, or way of life.

• Foster the ability to develop creative approaches to border security, transportation security, intelligence and warning, domestic counterterrorism, critical infrastructure protection, and emergency preparedness and response.

• Develop the ability of aspiring officers to conduct critical analysis, both written and oral, of the issues that are examined in the course.

 

This course is organized as a seminar, which means that daily participation is essential to understanding the readings and developing your knowledge of homeland security policy.  A seminar requires involvement from all participants, and you are expected to attend class and speak regularly.  Careful reading will be necessary for informed participation.  If you keep up with the syllabus, then you will find this course both educational and enjoyable. 

 

Format and guidance to be announced on 2 May 06