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PL30885: US intelligence, covert action, and international politics

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW33ES67
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
This unit provides students with the ability to evaluate the impact of intelligence, counterespionage, and covert action policies on national security policy and international politics.

Learning Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this unit will:
1) understand the main theoretical and scholarly debates surrounding the role of intelligence in international relations and foreign policy;
2) have a good knowledge of a range of major contemporary United States and allied intelligence and counter-intelligence policy issues;
3) understand the role of covert action in international politics;
4) be able to think critically and theoretically about the nature of intelligence failures and their impact on international politics;
5) have demonstrated skills in research, analysis and communication.

Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, effective communication, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are developed and assessed in this unit.

Content:
The unit will consider:
1) the major actors in the intelligence community;
2) the U.S. intelligence agenda during the Cold War, and how that agenda has changed since its end;
3) the major steps in the intelligence process are studied and types of intelligence and collection methods;
4) specific problems associated with analysis, with emphasis placed on historical cases;
5) counterintelligence issues and problems;
6) the use of covert action and paramilitary means to advance national security policy as well as the international political consequences of intelligence operations and covert action; and
7) the difficulties of learning the right lessons from intelligence failures and successes, and the cases of 9/11 and the 2003 Iraq War.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL30885 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB13 : BA (hons) French and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB12 : BA (hons) German and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB16 : BA (hons) Italian (ab initio) and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB14 : BA (hons) Italian and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB15 : BA (hons) Russian (ab initio) and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB17 : BA (hons) Spanish and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AAB30 : BSc (hons) Politics and International Relations (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AFB30 : BSc (hons) Politics and International Relations (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UHPL-AKB30 : BSc (hons) Politics and International Relations (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AAB10 : BSc (hons) Politics with Economics (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AFB10 : BSc (hons) Politics with Economics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UHPL-AKB10 : BSc (hons) Politics with Economics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AAB29 : BSc (hons) Politics with International Relations (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AFB29 : BSc (hons) Politics with International Relations (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UHPL-AKB29 : BSc (hons) Politics with International Relations (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/4 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.