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Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Intelligence & Security Analysis:Theory & Pra
Module Code LG5030
School School of Law & Government
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Sarah Léonard
Semester 2: Sarah Léonard
Autumn: Sarah Léonard
Module TeachersJames Fitzgerald
Sarah Léonard
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Coursework Only
Description

This module examines the essential cognitive process of intelligence: analysis. It does so from a normative theoretical anchoring – first outlining the analytic tradecraft with its epistemology and psychological pitfalls. To further appraise how intelligence and security analysis unfolds (and often unravels) upon contact with the world; the module has a large practical component. The second half of the course is dedicated to exercises, exploring structured analytic techniques; critical assessments of declassified intelligence assessments and lastly drafting and presenting a group briefing. Once intelligence analysis has been explored in both theory and practice, the course concludes by reflecting upon the ethical questions raised throughout the twelve weeks.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students’ will gain applied practical team experience in undertaking open-source ‘intelligence’ collection, processing, analysis and production;
2. Through a deeper theoretical understanding, the learner will be able to identify the pitfalls and analytic pathologies faced by intelligence analysts;
3. Building off from the introductions in Intelligence Analysis & Policy Making, the learner will further be able to assess and evaluate the authoritative theoretical literature on intelligence, as well as broader academic research within Intelligence Studies;
4. Analyse the ethical issues intrinsic to covert intrusive surveillance and other collection methods. The learner will also be able to evalute other normative ethnical debates concerning collective security vs. individual rights, algorithmic profiling, secrecy, transparency and accountability;
5. Critically examine evidence and reports at an advanced level, this will be derived from independent source related analysis with a special focus on the use of intelligence in the run up to the war in Iraq;
6. Bring to bear analytical and methodological tools from the module on the learner’s writing of their IMSISS dissertation.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Seminars30Small and Large group discussions
Fieldwork220reading preparation and submission of assessments
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Analytical Tradecraft: Essential concepts in intelligence analysis

Analytical Tradecraft: Kent vs. Kendall and the politicisation of analysis

Analytical Tradecraft: 9/11 and overcoming failures of design
(guest lecture from former or current practitioner)

Analytical Tradecraft: Pitfalls and pathologies

Structured Analytic Exercise (SATs): Generating a utility matrix (group exercise

Structured Analytic Exercise (SATs): Contrarian & Imaginative thinking techniques (group exercises)
(guest lecture from former or current practitioner)

Analysis and Iraq WMDs: A critical analysis of the Butler and Chilcot Inquires

Analysis and Iraq WMDs: A critical analysis of the ‘September Dossier’

FOES Group analytic exercise, part 1:
A simulation where in groups the students rapidly work together putting together what they have learned so far to produce a joint assessment

FOES Group analytic exercise, part 2:
In part two the students present their joint assessments to a panel of ‘intelligence consumers’ and each other

Intelligence, Security, Ethics and Analysis
(guest lecture from former or current practitioner)

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Research Papersingle briefing, no more than 1,500 (not including footnotes and bibliography).25%Week 24
Group project joint briefing, no more than 2,500 (not including footnotes, bibliography or analytic matrix).25%Week 30
Group presentationPresentation from part 2 of Group analytic exercise20%Once per semester
Reflective journala short reflection paper on collection, processing, analysis and production of producing intelligence briefing. not to exceed 2,000.20%Sem 2 End
ParticipationParticipation10%Every Week
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    None
    Programme or List of Programmes
    IMSISSIntnl. Master Security Intelligence
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