1. DEVELOP AN IN-DEPTH AND CRITICAL AWARENESS OF HOW INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES HAVE INFLUENCED THE DECISIONS OF GOVERNMENTS IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.

2. UNDERSTAND THE CAPABILITY AND FIELDCRAFT IN ESPIONAGE AND COUNTERESPIONAGE.

3. UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT ROLES OF INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES BETWEEN COUNTRIES AND POLITICAL SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT.

4. ANALYSE KEY EVENTS OF THE PAST 120 YEARS IN CASE STUDIES, CRITICALLY EXAMINING THE ROLE OF INTELLIGENCE IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESSES IN BRITAIN, THE UNITED STATES AND ELSEWHERE.

5. PROVIDE WELL RESEARCHED PIECES OF WORK IN AN APPROPRIATE ACADEMIC STYLE.

One 1,000 word research paper on a topic chosen from a options delivered both to the seminar group and submitted in writing on aspects of an individual lecture topic. Weighted at 25% Learning Outcomes Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Analysis, Communication.

One 3,000 word comparative essay requiring extensive research, analysis, critical reflection, the construction of an argument responding to the question as well as planning, drafting and referencing. weighted at 75% Learning Outcomes Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Analysis

Key Information Set Data:

100% coursework

The course highlights what is widely regarded as being a 'missing dimension' of history in the twentieth century, the role of intelligence agencies and particularly their impact upon the decisions of international actors. This module takes a comparative look at the role of secret intelligence in the twentieth century and its use by a variety of governments, particularly in peacetime. Beginning with the origins of British Intelligence in 1909, the course looks at aspects of intelligence, in counter subversion and counter insurgency, in the Cold War and in the 'War on Terror'. The module looks at the various forms intelligence takes, and the various methods of its employment from IMINT and SIGINT to HUMINT and OSINT, from Intelligence and Counter Intelligence to Covert Actions of all kind.

The course highlights what is widely regarded as being a 'missing dimension' of history in the twentieth century, the role of intelligence agencies and particularly their impact upon the decisions of international actors. This module takes a comparative look at the role of secret intelligence in the twentieth century and its use by a variety of governments, particularly in peacetime. Beginning with the origins of British Intelligence in 1909, the course looks at aspects of intelligence, in counter subversion and counter insurgency, in the Cold War and in the 'War on Terror'. The module looks at the various forms that intelligence takes, and the various methods of its employment from IMINT and SIGINT to HUMINT and OSINT, from Intelligence and Counter Intelligence to Covert Actions of all kind.

The module incorporates four inter-dependent learning strategies. The lecture programme introduces themes, developments, events and examples of the use of intelligence agencies and their impact upon government decision making. Individual student presentations on assigned topics will offer the basis of discussion at seminars which are designed for the clarification and comparison of the themes covered in lectures. Independent learning will be focused on comparative research combining two or more examples of the use of intelligence and/or its impact to be written as a final essay. Primary research is encouraged and can be facilitated by a number of (reputable) websites.

Christopher Andrew, The Secret World: A History of Intelligence (2019)

Richard Thurlow, The Secret State (London, 1994)
Christopher Andrew, Richard Aldrich and Wesley Wark (eds) Secret Intelligence: A reader (London: Routledge, 2008)
Michael Smith, The Spying Game: the secret history of British espionage (London, 2005)

Library, where you will find relevant books, journals, newspapers and periodicals.
Internet, where you will find relevant Web sites.
Blackboard [VLE], where lecture slides, handouts and occasional source material, will be placed.

Teaching space with digital projection.