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January 11, 2002

A new course at the University of South Carolina will tackle terrorism on all fronts, delving into the greatest threats from terrorism and actions needed to counter these threats.

The course, titled "Counterterrorism: A Multidisciplinary Analysis," has been developed by USC physics professor Dr. Joseph Johnson with assistance from Dodge Frederick, past director of the S.C. office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and John Johnson, a retired U.S. army lieutenant colonel. Frederick will give the first lecture of the semester Jan. 15.

"Although Americans have never been immune from terrorism, the Sept. 11 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., made many of us more aware of the threat that exists in our nation," said Johnson, whose software team has developed computer software for emergency information management and bioterrorism information response for the S.C. Emergency Preparedness Division. "As cities across the country confront the risks from terrorist attacks, this course will help USC students explore the complexities of terrorism and understand the role they may play one day in this battle."

Open to USC sophomores, juniors and seniors and to graduate students and government agency employees, the class will consist of 30 lectures on pertinent subjects, such as health threats, military response, technology approaches and national and international preparedness and response. The course is titled Physics 599, but no science background is required. Registration is required for agency representatives.

Classes will meet from 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in Room 006 in the Jones Physical Sciences Center. Lectures are planned to feature representatives from the FBI, the military and other areas of government, as well as USC research faculty from disciplines across the sciences and humanities.

"This course will draw on the expertise of top faculty from across the university's many disciplines, as well as state and national leaders who are working to combat the very real challenges of terrorist threats," said Johnson.

For more information on the course, or registration, call John Johnson at 803-777-8831.