New Course Teaches “Terrorism Preparedness”

Worcester, MA—Assumption College Adjunct Professor William McCarthy will be teaching a new course this semester called “Terrorism in the United States,” for the Center for Continuing and Professional Education.

The focus of this course is to provide an understanding about the tools and methods used to plan for, respond to, and deal with, the consequences of a domestic terrorist incident involving nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons of mass destruction.

This type of terrorism, using weapons of mass destruction, will be analyzed by the students through selected readings, videos, textbooks, and discussions with experts in the field of terrorism preparedness. In a course proposal, Prof. McCarthy stated: “Until the events of the Fall of 2001 occurred, the majority of Americans viewed terrorist bombings, kidnappings, and murders through the safety of their television sets. These incidents were perceived as taking place in a far off land for seemingly bizarre reasons. Today, we must understand what terrorism will do to our society and how we must prepare for these events.”

Prof. McCarthy has taught at several institutions and will begin a full-time position at Quinsigamond Community College Mr. McCarthy has also worked for the Academy of Counter-terrorist Education at Louisiana State University, and the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and has been a correctional officer and a Connecticut State Trooper.

The course may be taken for credit or on an audit basis. Seating is limited, and registration is ongoing through January 21. For further information, please call (508) 767-7364 or email conted@assumption.edu.