CJS 234 - Hostage Negotiations

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
Explore law enforcement techniques used in hostage negotiations to secure the safety of hostages, seize hostage takers, and minimize injured victims and casualties. Learn and apply effective peace building strategies to preempt violence and criminal activity found in international conflict zones, and those perpetuated by national and international extremists such as terrorists and gangs. Also study concepts in criminal and psychological profiling in order to effectively negotiate with hostage takers.

Corequisite(s): CJS 111 or HLS 111 .

Note: Credit will not be given for CJS 234 and also HLS 234.

Course Outcomes:

Demonstrates the ability to properly interpret and apply essential information.
- Identify valuable information.
- Identify critical national and international laws governing hostage negotiations.
- Correctly apply information to case scenarios, simulations and table-top exercises.
- Demonstrate basic intelligence strategies.
- Write valid and reliable reports, summaries and documents.
- Articulate ideas and opinions based on credible facts and information.
Examines, calculates and projects outcomes from possible hostage taking threats.
- Establish the likelihood of hostage threats based on domestic and international hostage taking patterns.
- Track political, social and economic trends throughout the world that may influence hostage taking.
- Analyze the role and function of mass media on the legislative and public perspective on hostage negotiations - nationally and internationally.
- Assess the role, functions of, and coordination between national agencies of intelligence, law enforcement, corrections and homeland security.
- Outline the common characteristics and routine actions of groups and individuals that may engage in hostage taking.
- Calculate using graphs and statistics, the influence of social, political, and economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad that may ignite hostage taking.
- Chart the general national and local emergency responses to extremist groups and individuals that may engage in hostage taking.