Spring 2026
Globalization of Security Threat Groups
Approved: TS 01/9/26 Globalization of Security Threat Groups (CJSA 2371) CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Online PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: NONE COURSE DESCRIPTION Examination of links between organized crime and security threat groups. Includes information concerning current security threat groups and terrorist; ties to ethnic-related organized crimes; transnational gang economy, drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms, intellectual property, gang movement, the Internet and the terrorist connection. This course is time-bound, structured and completed fully online. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to 1. Describe gang globalization. 2. Discuss three types of gang movements including migration and deportation. 3. Outline the three criminal activities that aid in gang globalization. 4. State what a transnational gang is. 5. Discuss how technology impacts globalization. 6. Distinguish the differences between organized crime and security threat groups. 7. Describe and explain the links organized crime, gangs and terrorists share. INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Trazarra Stelly Email: tnstelly@lit.edu Office Phone: 409.247.5224 Office Location: Technology Center (TC) #212 Office Hours: In Person or Virtual Appointments available by appointment only. Monday– Friday (Flexible Times). Students must schedule via STARFISH. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Terrorism and Organized Hate Crime: Intelligence Gathering, Analysis and Investigations, 4th Edition, by Michael R. Ronczkowski ISBN: 978-1-13-870356-9 ATTENDANCE POLICY Students are expected to log into the course via Blackboard at least 3 times per week. Regular participation is necessary to pass this course DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. COURSE CALENDAR DATE TOPIC READINGS (Due on this Date) ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) Submission Deadline is BEFORE 10 p.m. on scheduled date. Initial Discussion due on Wednesdays and replies to your peers are due on Saturdays. 2/15-2/21 Introduction/Orientation Week A need for understanding analysis 2/16: Syllabus Review 2/18: Chapter 1 2/18: • Introduction Discussion 2/19: • Discussion Replies • Introduction Assignment • Syllabus Quiz 2/21: • Chapter 1 Assignment 2/22-2/28 Understanding and defining terrorism Homeland security analysis 2/25: Chapter 2 & Chapter 3 2/25: • Chapter 2 Discussion 2/28 • Discussion Replies • Chapter 3 Assignment 3/1-3/37 Behavioral traits and suspicious activity 3/4: Chapter 4 3/4: • Chapter 4 Discussion 3/7: • Discussion Replies • Exam 1: Chapters 1-4 3/8-3/14 SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK 3/15-3/21 Gathering information, the key to the process Enhancing investigations: Going beyond the traditional 3/18: Chapter 5 & Chapter 6 3/16: • Final Project Outline Due 3/18: • Chapter 5 Discussion 3/21: • Discussion Replies • Chapter 6 Assignment 3/22-3/28 Working the puzzle one piece at a time: Learning to anticipate behavior 3/25: Chapter 7 3/28: • Chapter 7 Assignment • Exam 2: Chapters 5-7 3/29-4/4 Enhanced analysis: Transforming information into intelligence 4/1: Chapter 8 4/1: • Chapter 8 Discussion 4/4: • Discussion Replies 4/5-4/11 The threat: The future is here today- Learning from the past 4/8: Chapter 9 4/11: • Chapter 9 Assignment 4/12-4/18 What the future may hold 4/15: Chapter 10 4/15: • Chapter 10 Discussion 4/18: • Discussion Replies 4/19-4/25 4/25: • Exam 3: Chapters 8-10 4/26-5/2 Work on Final Project Work on Final Project Work on Final Project 5/3-5/9 Final Project Due Final Projects Due 5/5: • Final Projects Due before 10:00 PM 5/10-5/14 FINAL GRADES SUBMITTED FINAL GRADES SUBMITTED 5/12: FINAL GRADES SUBMITTED COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Unit Assignments 30% • Unit Exams 25% • Course Project 25% • Chapter Discussions 20% GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum-computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION I DO NOT accept late work. All assignments are due as scheduled. There are a few exceptions but those will be discussed on a case-by-case basis. (ex. medical situations such as hospitalization) Preferred means of communication: Email: tnstelly@lit.edu or phone: (409) 247-5224. Communication Response Time: Expected response time for communication with instructor is 24-48 hours (except weekends). Grading Response Time: Assignments should be returned with grades within 1 week.