Admissions requirements BA with at least a 2(ii) or relevant work experience

1. DEMONSTRATE A SYSTEMATIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND DEBATES REGARDING INTELLIGENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SPECIFICALLY WITH REGARD TO THE EVOLUTION DEVELOPMENTOF INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.
Knowledge & Understanding

2. DEMONSTRATE A CRITICAL AWARENESS AND EVALUATION OF THE ROLE OF INTELLIGENCE AND INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES IN GOVERNMENT POLICY AND DECISION MAKING.
Analysis, Enquiry

3. DEMONSTRATE AN APPRECIATION OF THE PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS OF INTELLIGENCE GATHERING AND ANALYSIS.
Analysis, Problem Solving, Research

4. DEMONSTRATE A CRITICAL ENGAGEMENT IN AND AWARENESS OF CONTEMPORARY DEBATES RELATING TO THE ROLE OF ETHICS IN INTELLIGENCE.
Analysis, Application, Enquiry

5. DEMONSTRATE AN ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS USING HISTORICAL EXAMPLES.
Communication

The participation grade encourages engaged and consistent learning. This builds up subject-knowledge as well as enhancing communication and analysis skills. To achieve a participation mark students will have to demonstrate in class discussion a close reading of the week’s compulsory texts. (LOs 1,2&5)

Essay 1 (20%) 2000 words is designed to enhance practical research and argument skills (research, enquiry, analysis, problem-solving, communication and application). (LOs 2,3,4 &5)

1 X 1000 word critical review (20%). The Critical Review requires students to read, review and analyze an academic journal article or chapter. It is is designed to develop analysis, enquiry and communication skills (LOs 2,3,4&5).

Essay 2 (50%) 3000 words is designed to enhance practical research skills (problem-solving and application). It will also require an in-depth study of an area of intelligence studies (enquiry; knowledge and understanding and research, analysis, application, communication) (LOs 1-5) .

This module introduces students to the role intelligence in international politics, and the historical evolution and role of intelligence agencies in the twentieth century world. Using British, US and worldwide examples, this module looks at the establishment and development of intelligence agencies since the beginning of the century and critically analyses the use of intelligence since the Second World War. Students will become familiar with contemporary debates regarding the relationship between intelligence, intelligence agencies and governments. Importantly students will consider the ways in which governments have grown increasingly dependent on secret intelligence despite the increasing liberalisation of the societies they operate from. The module examines and students will research and discuss the various 'types' of intelligence gathered, and the ways in which this is assessed, processed, analysed and distributed in the national and international community. The module studies both the successes as well as the controversies surrounding the use of intelligence agencies and their specific (and often controversial) methods. Finally, the module discusses future trends in intelligence matters in international relations; from increased international cooperation and advances in technology, to the impact of international law on the (increasingly accountable) intelligence services themselves.

This module introduces students to the role secret intelligence in international politics, and the historical evolution and role of intelligence agencies in the twentieth century world. Using British, US and worldwide examples, this module looks at the establishment and development of intelligence agencies since the beginning of the century and critically analyses the use of intelligence since the Second World War. The module examines the various 'types' of intelligence gathered, and the ways in which this is assessed, processed, analysed and distributed in the national and international community. The module studies both the successes as well as the controversies surrounding the use of intelligence agencies and their specific (and often controversial) methods. Finally, the module discusses future trends in intelligence matters in international relations; from increased international cooperation and advances in technology, to the impact of international law on the (increasingly accountable) intelligence services themselves.

The module uses a number of learning strategies to achieve its learning outcomes. First, lectures are provided and prescribed readings are distributed. These lectures and readings are varied in their emphasis and methodology, some historical, some methodologically based, other philosophical in their outlook. Students are to read and consider the arguments made in these materials before the discussion of questions in class. Two essays, and a critical review of one of the module’s readings and marks for participation are all graded and count formatively toward the final module result.

Aldrich R., Andrew C., Wark W. (2019): Secret Intelligence: A Reader. 2nd ed. Routledge, London
Andrew C. (2018): The Secret World: A History of Intelligence. Penguin, London
Gerald Hughes R., Jackson P., Scott L. (eds) (2008): Exploring Intelligence Archives: Enquiries into the Secret State. Routledge, London
Herman M. (1996): Intelligence Power in Peace and War. CUP Cambridge
Omand D. (2010): Securing the State. Columbia, New York
Johnson L. (ed) (2012): The Oxford Handbook of National Security Intelligence. OUP, Oxford.

Standard university seminar class room with data projection and audio facilities. Students will also require access to a computer with internet connection for accessing Blackboard, Course texts and course learning packs, Library resources including books, journals, websites, ejournals, ebrary and other electronic resources.