SEST-521 Theory and Practice of Intelligence

Faculty:

Lester, Genevieve

The Theory and Practice of Intelligence

Taught by an intelligence practitioner, this course focuses on clandestine
operations and technical collection disciplines, intelligence technology,
analysis, covert action, and policy support. We will examine the role of
national intelligence in national security, policy formation, diplomacy,
homeland security, and other national priorities. Using the United States
as a model but exploring other national systems, we will review the Cold War emergence of a modern national intelligence community. We will study the partnerships between that community of intelligence agencies, military
services, academic, scientific, and industrial institutions in developing
practices and powerful technological systems to address the collection and
analytic challenges of the Cold War and post-Cold War worlds.

Intelligence collection disciplines, analysis, and policy support, to
include covert action, will be discussed in detail, drawing on concrete
examples of intelligence practice. The challenges of conducting secret
activities within a democratic society, and issues of defining and
recognizing success and failure will be considered. Finally, the course
will analyze the implications of the Revolution in Military Affairs and the
war in Iraq for the intelligence community, look at the "marriage" between intelligence and the military in the Afghan and Iraqi military campaigns, and study the intelligence community's effort to implement new practices and technologies and transform itself into an integrated team of agile agencies
under a new Director of National Intelligence.

The course will be conducted as a seminar and you will be expected to
participate fully in class discussion and possible individual presentations.
Given the topical nature of the course, your class notes will be an
important source of essential course information. You will also demonstrate
your research, analytic, and writing skills in two brief papers and a
take-home final.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Course syllabi
The following syllabi may help you learn more about this course (login required):

Fall '13: Lester G (file download)

Additional syllabi may be available in prior academic years.

SEST-521-01 Theory and Practice of Intelligence

No faculty information available

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an appreciation for the impact of intelligence on national security decision-making. The course will explore the theory of intelligence and its practice in the 20th century, emphasizing the American experience and the challenges of managing intelligence processes within democratic systems of government. Intelligence collection, analysis, and evaluation will be discussed with particular attention to the ways in which successes and failures have affected foreign policy and military outcomes. Covert action, paramilitary activities, counterintelligence and liaison management will be distinguished from the traditional elements of the intelligence cycle. Students will develop the skill of writing short, concise briefing memos that are well researched, involve careful analysis and are persuasive.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: SSP Students Only

SEST-521-02 Theory and Practice of Intelligence

Faculty:

Schroeder, Richard

The Theory and Practice of Intelligence

Taught by an intelligence practitioner, this course focuses on clandestine
operations and technical collection disciplines, intelligence technology,
analysis, covert action, and policy support. We will examine the role of
national intelligence in national security, policy formation, diplomacy,
homeland security, and other national priorities. Using the United States
as a model but exploring other national systems, we will review the Cold War
emergence of a modern national intelligence community. We will study the
partnerships between that community of intelligence agencies, military
services, academic, scientific, and industrial institutions in developing
practices and powerful technological systems to address the collection and
analytic challenges of the Cold War and post-Cold War worlds.

Intelligence collection disciplines, analysis, and policy support, to
include covert action, will be discussed in detail, drawing on concrete
examples of intelligence practice. The challenges of conducting secret
activities within a democratic society, and issues of defining and
recognizing success and failure will be considered. Finally, the course
will analyze the implications of the Revolution in Military Affairs and the
war in Iraq for the intelligence community, look at the "marriage" between
intelligence and the military in the Afghan and Iraqi military campaigns,
and study the intelligence community's effort to implement new practices and
technologies and transform itself into an integrated team of agile agencies
under a new Director of National Intelligence.

The course will be conducted as a seminar and you will be expected to
participate fully in class discussion and possible individual presentations.
Given the topical nature of the course, your class notes will be an
important source of essential course information. You will also demonstrate
your research, analytic, and writing skills in two brief papers and a
take-home final.
end Quote

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: SSP Students Only

Other academic years
There is information about this course number in other academic years:

• 2004-2005 Fall and Spring
• 2005-2006 Fall and Spring
• 2006-2007 Fall and Spring
• 2007-2008 Fall and Spring
• 2008-2009 Fall and Spring
• 2009-2010 Fall and Spring
• 2010-2011 Fall and Spring
• 2011-2012 Fall and Spring
• 2012-2013 Fall and Spring

More information
Look for this course in the schedule of classes.

The academic department web site for this program may provide other details about this course.