IICS 646 Intelligence and National Security (3-0-3)

Course Description
The primary purpose of national intelligence is to support situational awareness and decision making by
leaders across all levels of government. This course introduces students to the role of Intelligence in
support to the decision making process, the intelligence cycle, and practical elements in the intelligence
analysis process.
Credit: 3 (3 hours Lectures)
Prerequisites: None

Course Catalog Description

Intelligence is a critical element of national and civil security. In this course, we examine the role of
intelligence in national policy and decision-making, the intelligence process, and practical challenges of
national intelligence efforts.

Goals
To introduce students to:
The role of intelligence in national and civil security.
National intelligence policy and oversight.
Management principles for classified materials.
The intelligence cycle and intelligence analysis process.
Practical problems of intelligence analysis and production.

Learning Outcomes

Understand the role of intelligence in national security policy and decision-making.

Understand and apply the intelligence process.
Understand and apply the primary methods of intelligence collection
Understand and apply the management principles for classified materials
Understand the role of intelligence in civil security.
Understand the role of intelligence in international security
Familiarity with analytic methods for intelligence
Develop and apply collaborative teamwork skills essential to effective intelligence activities
Develop and apply professional analytic, written and presentational skills essential to effective
intelligence activities

Course Materials
Required Textbook:
th
Mark Lowenthal. Intelligence: From Secrets to Policy (CQ Press; 6 edition, 2014)
Reference Textbook (can be found in the library):
Richard J. Heur Jr., and Randolph H. Pherson., Structured Analytic Techniques for Intelligence
Analysis, ( CQ Press, 2nd edition, 2014)
Reference Material:
Critical Thinking for Strategic Intelligence, Kathrine Hibbs Pherson and Randolph H. Pherson
Routledge Companion to Intelligence Studies, Robert Dover, Michael Goodman and Claudia
Hillebrand
Strategic Intelligence: A Handbook for Practitioners, Managers, and Users, Don McDowell
Writing Classified and Unclassified Papers for National Security, James S. Major
Communicating With Intelligence: Writing and Briefing in the Intelligence in the National
Security Community, James S. Major
Cases in Intelligence Analysis, Sarah Miller Beebe, Randolph H. Pherson
Other reference material will be given in advance to students during the course
Professional Journals: A list of professional journals is provided at the end of this syllabus. Students are
to use these resources to support the broader knowledge and research in this field.

Course Structure
This class combines lectures, discussion, in-class activities, group activities, course materials, and
research. Lecture/discussions/in-class activities will be held once each week for 180 minutes (3 hours).
When possible guest speakers will be invited to provide local subject matter expertise, experience,
perspectives, and knowledge. The following is an outline of lectures, discussions, in-class activities,
reading requirements, and course assignments.

Week
1
Jan 12

2
Jan 19

3
Jan 26

Weekly Session Summary

Lesson Objectives: this classroom session is to review and answer questions about the course, review
instructor and student expectations, and introduce students to the broad concepts of intelligence and
national security.
Topic
Goals and Content
Readings
Administration,
Establish course expectations
Syllabus
General Overview
Introduce students to the topic of
national and criminal intelligence
Estimative vs. investigative intelligence
Introduce students to current literature
and concepts regarding the role of
intelligence in national security
In class activity
The class will participate an Aerial Analysis to provide them with a basic
introduction to some of the conceptual, organizational, and operational
challenges of intelligence analysis.
Lesson Objectives: this classroom session is to engage students in an examination of the intelligence
apparatus and national security.
Topic
Goals and Content
Readings
Overview of
Role of intelligence in national security
Taylor, Chapter 14
intelligence
policy
Fingar, Chapter 2
Role of Analyst in Intelligence
In class exercise
Students will identify what they believe is the primary national security
threat to the UAE in the following categories:
Military
Criminal
Political
Economic
Other
They are to be prepared to brief, explain and defend their ideas.
Lesson Objectives: this classroom session is to consider the cycle of intelligence and the range of
intelligence gathering methods that are used to provide threat awareness in support of international,
national and domestic threats.
Topic
Goals and Content
Readings
Intelligence cycle and Cycle of Intelligence
Routledge
information
Companion to
Intelligence Collection Disciplines
collection
Intelligence Studies,
Overview of the principles of intelligence
Chapter 6
collection, tasking, and
Lowenthal, Chapter 5
classification/protection
Technical means of intelligence collection CIA, Intelligence
Collection Disciplines
(link)
In class activity
Go over the cycle of intelligence and each intelligence gathering method
and find real world examples of the utility of each as well as the
combination of them.
(Use Week 2s threats as examples.)
Lesson Objectives: this classroom session is examines the analysts responsibilities to its customer

Feb 2

5
Feb 9

6
Feb
16

and initial brainstorming prior to intelligence analysis.

Topic
Goals and Content
Readings
Understanding the
Customer oriented intelligence analysis
Pherson,
customer
Chapter 1 & 2
In class activity
Using the threats identified in Week 2 students will identify customer
needs with two idea generating exercises: 1. Structured brainstorming
session, 2. Starbursting.
Homework
Customer Needs Statement: Each student is to prepare a 5-7 page
National Intelligence Requirement. This topic paper should:
Identify an intelligence need of a government agency
Justify why the agency needs the intelligence and possible
implications if the intelligence is not produced
Identify other government agencies who may have a similar need
Propose who would be involved in defining the need
Propose how this need would be shared and communicated to the
national intelligence community
Determine appropriate classification and control practices from the
agencies perspective
Determine the desired intelligence delivery method and product format.
Lesson Objectives: this classroom session introduces students to the challenges of information
gathering.
Topic
Goals and Content
Readings
Information
Assessing information credibility
Pherson, Chapter 8, 9
Gathering
& 10
Information search plan
Activity 1: Students will be asked given examples and asked to explain
In class activity
how credible the source is and why.
Activity 2: Students will be given certain search objectives and asked to
find credible material on the given topic. They will have to justify the
sources they have chosen.
Lesson Objectives: this classroom session builds on the previous weeks discussion of evaluating the
credibility of sources and focuses on the ramifications of cognitive bias in intelligence collection,
analysis and writing.
Topic
Goals and Content
Readings
Cognitive Bias
Introduction to Cialdinis six principles of Cialdinis 6 Principles
influence and their role in intelligence
of Influence
analysis
CIA, Psychology of
Define what a cognitive bias is and learn
Intelligence Analysis
to recognize it
Chapter 2 (link),
Chapter 3 (link)
Understand analysts personal limitations
In class activity
Students will discuss and debate cognitive bias with examples.

Lesson Objectives: in the session students will examine methods and concepts of challenge analysis.

Mar 2

8
Mar 8

9
Mar 9

Topic
Challenge Analysis

Goals and Content

Readings
Structured Self-Critique
Heuer/Pherson,
Section 9.0
What if? Analysis
High Impact/Low Probability Analysis
Devils Advocate
In class activity
Based on the reading students will engage in multiple exercises practicing
challenge analysis methods.
Lesson Objectives: in the session students will examine analytic methodologies, their selection and
application in greater detail.
Topic
Goals and Content
Readings
Indicators
Role of indicators in analysis
Heuer/Pherson,
section 6.2
Methods in establishing and assessing
indicators
In class activity
Based on the reading students will engage in multiple exercises practicing
their indicators methodology skills.
Lesson Objectives: in this session students will learn about the various intelligence products used to
disseminate information to intelligence customers. They will also examine the strengths and
weakness of these dissemination options and control/classification practices and issues.
Topic
Goals and Content
Readings
Classification of
Intelligence Classification
Major, Chapter 13
Intelligence Products Information Control Practices
In class activity

10
Mar
16

11
Mar
23

Students will discuss and debate information control and classification.

Modern day examples will be used to start the discussion, students
should come to class with them.
Lesson Objectives: Review analysis techniques learned throughout the class.
Topic
Goals and Content
Readings
Case Study
Challenge Analysis
Beebe/Pherson,
Chapter 15
Idea Generation
Indicators
In class activity
Using a contemporary case study students will put the skills they have
learned to the test in a collective class activity.
Lesson Objectives: in this session the class will work together in teams to write persuasive intelligence
products which include measures of probability. Using a case study students will learn how the
conventional concepts of persuasive writing and probability can be adapted to support intelligence
products on threat analysis, warning and prevention.
Topic
Persuasive Writing
and Probability
Case Study

In class activity

Goals and Content

Readings
Introduction to forecasting in intelligence Pherson, Chapter 16
studies
& 17
Probability writing in intelligence
Pherson, Case Study
V
Practice persuasive writing for
intelligence products
The class will team up in small groups and apply the concepts of
persuasive writing and probability to a case study.

12
Apr 6

13
Apr 13

14
Apr 20

15
Apr 27

Lesson Objectives: in this session the class will discuss and debate issues relating to intelligence
oversight, information sharing and privacy.
Topic
Goals and Content
Readings
Contemporary
Intelligence Oversight and
Routledge, Chapter 30,
Challenges
accountability
31, 32
Intelligence Sharing
Privacy & Identity
In class activity
The class will come to class prepared to debate examples drawn from the
international intelligence community.
Lesson Objectives: in this session the students will listen to an Intelligence practitioner discuss
the intelligence challenges.
Topic
Goals and Content
Readings
TBA
Practitioners
Gain greater situational awareness of
perspective
practitioner challenges in Intelligence
Lesson Objectives: this classroom session will be used for student brief presentations of their
national intelligence case studies. Students will use the skills learned in class to meet the
customers needs. Through the use of formal presentations, students will also build on their
public speaking skills.
Topic
Goals and Content
Readings
Intelligence
Each student is to provide a 10
Student case studies
Briefings
minute formal brief presentation
TBA
based on their case study.
Students will submit 1 page briefing
report.
Lesson Objectives: Final Assessment
Topic
Goals and Content
Readings
Students will create a National
Case Study
Bring your laptop to
Intelligence Problem Portfolio. Each
Assessment
class
portfolio should include:
Instructions will be given
Definition of the National
in class
Intelligence Problem
Purpose/Justification of the
Intelligence Need
Primary customers
Secondary customers
Idea generation diagram(s)
Proposed collection plan
Collection needs/gaps
Indicators
Product type and format
Classification and handling
guidance

Assignments and Assessment:

The performance of each student will be assessed based on the following:
In class participation:
Attendance and participation is the primary opportunity for students to engage in a meaningful
discussion and examination of the course topics. Participation in classroom and online discussions and
activities are also important to the development of collaborative teamwork skills that are essential in
this field. Attendance will be taken during each classroom session. Student participation will be
evaluated based on their demonstrated preparedness for class, contribution to meaningful discussion,
and participation in in-class activities/exercises.
Assessment consists of:
Class Participation and Attendance
Intellectual and relevant contributions to the class discussion and
active participation based on the readings and in-class activities.
Awareness of International Intelligence Community News
There will be brief discussions on the relevant intelligence news
that is applicable to the weeks material.
Intelligence Brief
Brief presentation & report
Bahrain Case Study Analytical Report Essay
Probability Exercise
Yemen Case Study
National Intelligence Problem Portfolio
Total

20%

5%

20%
10%
15%
30%
100%

Grading system
Your grade will be determined by your performance. You will be evaluated without reference to your
classmate. In other words, your performance will be evaluated using objective standards rather than
standards based on a notion of average class performance (i.e., I do not grade on a curve).
The University grading system is based on letter grades that are assigned according to the grading
scheme adopted by the instructor in charge of a particular course. The following is indicative of typical
percentage grade ranges associated with letter grades:
Letter Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
F
WF

Percentage Grade
Range
97% - 100%
93% - 96%
90% - 92%
87% - 89%
83% - 86%
80% - 82%
77% - 79%
73% - 76%
Below 73%

Grade Point

Description

4.00
4.00
3.70
3.30
3.00
2.70
2.30
2.00
0.00
0.00

Exceptional
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Satisfactory
Fail
Withdrawal Fail

Academic Integrity (Please refer to Student Handbook, section 9, page 52)

Attendance
Attendance will be enforced according to the latest edition of University Student Handbook, section 8,
Part II (Page 47). Students are expected to attend all classroom sessions.

Outcome Coverage
The student is expected to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the role of intelligence in national security policy and
decision-making.
Demonstrate an understanding and apply the basic elements of the intelligence process.
Demonstrate an understanding and apply the primary methods of intelligence collection
Demonstrate and understanding and apply the management principles for classified materials
Demonstrate an understanding of the role of intelligence in civil security.
Demonstrate an understanding of the role of intelligence in international security
Demonstrate familiarity with analytic methods for intelligence
Demonstrate collaborative teamwork skills essential to effective intelligence activities
Demonstrate and apply professional analytic, written and presentational skills essential to
effective intelligence activities
Learning
Outcomes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

ICSP Program Outcomes (POs)

A
B
C
D
E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

F
X

X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X

I
X
X
X
X
X

X
X

Online Resources
The following are links to online journals to support your familiarization with the professional journals of
this field and other resources that may be helpful in your research. This list is not inclusive. You are
encouraged to identify other resources to the instructor and your peers.
Homeland Security Newswire
International Journal of Intelligence and
Counterintelligence
Intelligence and National Security
Business Intelligence Journal
Strategic Intelligence-Loyola University
International Association of Law
Enforcement Intelligence Analysts
Red Team Journal
Jamestown Foundation-Global Terrorism
Monitor

http://homelandsecuritynewswire.com/
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~content=t
713723134
http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/02684527.asp
http://www.saycocorporativo.com/saycoUK/BIJ/journ
als.html
http://www.loyola.edu/departments/academICSP/pol
itical-science/strategic-intelligence/index.html

http://www.ialeia.org/
http://redteamjournal.com/
http://www.jamestown.org/programs/gta/terrorism
monitorgta/
http://www.homelandsecurity.org/journal/Default.as
Journal of Homeland Security
px?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Other online sources: The following are web links that may be helpful to your research
Air University-Intellectual and Leadership
Center
http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/awc-ntel.htm
Brookings Institute

http://www.brookings.edu/

National Intelligence Council (USA)

European Union Institute for Strategic
Studies
Center for Strategic and International
Studies
Center for the Study of Terrorism and
Political Violence

http://www.dni.gov/nic/NIC_home.html

Chatham House
Congressional Research Services
Department of Homeland Security
Global Security
International Institute for Counter
Terrorism
International Institute for Strategic Studies
International Security Information Services
Interpol
MIPT Lawson Library
National Intelligence Council
NATO and the Fight Against Terrorism

http://www.iss.europa.eu/
http://www.csis.org/
http://www.standrews.ac.uk/~wwwir/research/cstpv/
http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/research/middle_e
ast/
http://www.opencrs.com/
www.dhs.gov
http://www.globalsecurity.org/index.html
http://www.ict.org.il/
http://www.iiss.org/middle-east/
http://www.isis-europe.org/
http://www.interpol.int/
http://www.mipt.org/Resources.aspx
http://www.dni.gov/nic/NIC_home.html
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topICSP_48801.

htm
Organization for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons
Prevention Web
ProMed-International Society of Infectious
Disease
RAND
UN Action to Counter Terrorism
US State Department
World Health Organization
World Health Organization-Global Alert and
Response

http://www.opcw.org/
http://www.preventionweb.net/english/
http://www.promedmail.org/pls/apex/f?p=2400:1000
www.RAND.org
http://www.un.org/terrorism/
http://fpc.state.gov/c4763.htm
http://www.who.int/en/
http://www.who.int/csr/delibepidemICSP/informatio
nresources/en/index.html