Making Sense of Secrets: Intelligence Analysis in Theory and Practice

Cod y Modiwl
IP21520
Teitl y Modiwl
Making Sense of Secrets: Intelligence Analysis in Theory and Practice
Blwyddyn Academaidd
2026/2027
Semester
Semester 2
Cyd-gysylltydd y Modiwl
Dr Aviva Guttmann
Rhestr Ddarllen
Gweld ar Aspire
Staff Eraill sy'n Cyfrannu
Dr Christopher Phillips

Dulliau Asesu

Math o Asesiad

Manylion Asesiad

Cyfran
Asesiad Semester Seminar Presentation: about the historical background to the case study that will be discussed. 10 Minutes 10%
Asesiad Semester CIA report analysis: Assessing an analytical product of the CIA 1500 Words 40%
Asesiad Semester Intelligence analysis report: writing an analysis piece about a current event based on open sources 2000 Words 50%
Asesiad Ailsefyll Alternative assessment: Summary of a seminar text 500 Words 10%
Asesiad Ailsefyll CIA report analysis: Assessing an analytical product of the CIA 1500 Words 40%
Asesiad Ailsefyll Intelligence analysis report: writing an analysis piece about a current event based on open sources 2000 Words 50%

Canlyniadau Dysgu

Wedi cwblhau'r modiwl dylai'r myfyrwyr fedru:

  1. Familiarity with key concepts of intelligence analysis and the capacity to apply these concepts to different case studies
  2. Understanding of the variety of factors affecting intelligence assessments, including ideological, political, psychological, and cultural biases inherent in intelligence analysis
  3. Understanding of intelligence analysis as a tool of governments, political commentators, investigative journalists, and risk consultants, and the role of new trends like AI in this process
  4. Command of literature on different approaches to intelligence analysis, which includes theoretical discussions as well as historical applications
  5. Understanding of problems and possible practical solutions to interpreting intelligence, war and security
  6. Through group presentations, enhancing communication skills and teamwork
  7. Through the writing of an intelligence analysis report, students enhance their critical thinking and acquire the necessary skillsets to work in geopolitical risk consultancy, think tanks, or indeed intelligence analysis more broadly
  8. Through the careful analysis of CIA assessments, students reflect about intelligence officers’ but also their own analytical biases. This fosters an enhanced self-awareness of the students’ own capacities and sharpens their analytical skills

Disgrifiad cryno

This module is about the process of intelligence analysis, as it is commonly done by the work of government intelligence agencies, risk consultancies, investigative open-source intelligence platforms, or private intelligence firms. The module introduces students to core concepts in intelligence and security studies. It blends theory with practical examples of how the CIA analysed key geopolitical events and global developments in the 20th century. The module includes hands-on professional skills-development components: it develops students’ skills in open-source intelligence collection, data interpretation, problem-solving, and report production for national security, law enforcement, or business intelligence. The module also discusses the benefits, risks, new opportunities, and limitations of AI in intelligence analysis.

Cynnwys

This module is about the process of intelligence analysis, as it is commonly done by the work of government intelligence agencies, risk consultancies, investigative open-source intelligence platforms, or private intelligence firms. The module introduces students to core concepts in intelligence and security studies. It blends theory with practical examples of how the CIA analysed key geopolitical events and global developments in the 20th century. The module includes hands-on professional skills-development components: it develops students’ skills in open-source intelligence collection, data interpretation, problem-solving, and report production for national security, law enforcement, or business intelligence. The module also discusses the benefits, risks, new opportunities, and limitations of AI in intelligence analysis.

Sgiliau Modiwl

Math o Sgiliau

Manylion Sgiliau
Cydlynu ag erail The seminars will provide the students with an opportunity to dialogue and to learn how to express their thoughts in a group setting
Cyfathrebu proffesiynol Student presentations will enhance their communication skills
Meddwl beirniadol a dadansoddol For the intelligence report, students will have to select a relevant news topic, find the appropriate primary and secondary sources, critically analyse them, and draft a logical, coherent, and convincing discussion about it.
Myfyrdod One assignment requires the students to reflect about their own analytical biases and this sharpens their analytical skills
Sgiliau Pwnc-benodol The students will delve into the world of intelligence professionals as they interpret international events and forecast ongoing trends. In doing so, students will be introduced to the field of intelligence studies, a pluridisciplinary field that opens up further avenues and linkages to security studies, international history, and strategic studies. The module thus offers specialised subject learning, all the while allowing them to make connections between their primary subject area and cognat
Synnwyr byd go iawn Students acquire the necessary skillsets to work in intelligence analysis, which includes geopolitical risk consultancy, think tanks, or government

Nodau

Mae'r modiwl hwn yn cydymffurfio a FfCChC Lefel 5