This course is an overview of key legal, policy, and ethical issues in the context of Homeland Security policy and practice. Students examine legal concepts regarding constitutional rights of individuals, legal process, access to courts, the law of war, and national security principles as they relate to homeland security legislation and policy initiatives. Legal principles of due process, habeas corpus, search and seizure. Compulsory process, and international agreements are explored in greater depth. The law of war will be examined in the context of preemptive war and the current National Security Strategy, the status of combatants and detention, Elements of national security law, intelligence collection and sharing, the Patriot Act, and military-civilian relations, etc.

This course traces the evolution of the U.S. health care delivery system over the last century with a focus on the structure and function of the contemporary managed care system. The course examines a wide range of factors (sociocultural, political, economic, legal and technical) which have impacted the evolution of the current system. Economic factors related to the delivery of health care services are extensively covered. Comparative health care systems are examined. The impact of the changing demographics of the U.S. population on the design and delivery of health care is reviewed.

This course provides students with legal and ethical frameworks for working through increasingly complex issues that affect health and human services delivery from the standpoint of the individual, the public, and the system of providers. Through an overview of current law, regulation, standards of ethics, and moral theory, students will evaluate pervasive issues and dilemmas present in their field of study. This course incorporates case studies with philosophical and theoretical analysis to equip students with nuanced perspectives regarding the ethical, legal, and health policy challenges facing society.

Health care professionals interact with patients, families, communities, and populations in technology rich environments. This course provides students with the opportunity to explore communication technologies and informatics tools integral to the health care system. Students will investigate how data is collected and utilized to inform decisions. Consideration of the impacts of information and communication technologies relative to ethical standards, quality improvement, regulations, and the experience of patients and providers shall be explored by students.