Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description This module introduces students to intelligence studies by encouraging an appreciation of the many important roles that intelligence plays for states’ national security. The module begins by introducing the conceptual foundations of intelligence and situating intelligence activity as a core function of states’ security. It provides an overview of the intelligence process while assessing intelligence’s influence on states’ bilateral and multilateral cooperation and policy-making. The traditional intelligence activities of counterintelligence and covert action are addressed along the traditional challenges of intelligence failure and surprise. Targeted assassinations, rendition and surveillance provide and introduction to intelligence oversight and the normative debates pertaining to the role of intelligence in liberal democracies. The module concludes with a discussion of new intelligence challenges such as cyber-warfare and cyber-espionage. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. 1. An appreciation of intelligence studies as a dimension of international relations 2. 2. Knowledge of the traditional dimensions of intelligence activity 3. 3. An understanding of the role that intelligence plays in states’ national security and its influence on foreign policy-making 4. 4. Ability to critically engage with scholarly literature on intelligence, security and policy-making 5. 5. An appreciation of contemporary intelligence challenges and its role in warfare 6. 6. Awareness of the normative questions that intelligence activities raise for liberal democracies and governance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
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Indicative Reading List Books: None Articles: None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||