Minor in Critical Intelligence Studies (18 credits total)
(housed in the Department of Political Science)
The interdisciplinary minor in critical intelligence
studies enables students to use a broad range of information to understand
potential sources of risk and how to apply their understanding to enhance
domestic and global security. The minor
consists of a basic element that provides students with essential knowledge
related to the field of intelligence studies. A second element emphasizes cybersecurity, policy analysis and
implementation, language acquisition, or data control depending on the chosen
track, each of which results in a greater understanding of different regions,
cultures, and value systems that inform the effective collection and use of
intelligence. Course offerings in the
first area present a mix of tools for intelligence gathering in a framework
that offers a critical evaluation of the use and misuse of intelligence
gathering and tensions between security and privacy. Course offerings in the second area cover
language expertise, cultural competencies, technical computer skills, and
public policy formation.
Learning Goals
At the end of this program students will be able to:- explain the intelligence gathering process in
various national and historical contexts;
- write clearly, critically, and analytically
about intelligence issues;
- demonstrate intermediate-level language skills
or cultural competence skills; and
- make strong arguments that strike a defensible
balance between security and privacy in the context of the American
constitutional system.
Tracks
The minor in critical intelligence studies offers five
tracks for completion. Each of these has
the same foundational courses: Introduction to Critical Intelligence Studies,
Critical Thinking and Analytical Writing, and an experiential course focusing
on an internship or an independent research program. Beyond this, most of the tracks require the
acquisition of cultural competency, while the technology track exposes the
student to issues of artificial intelligence and data science.
In order to declare a minor in critical intelligence studies,
students are required to have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0 and to
have completed 01:790:292 with at least a C. To fulfill the minor requirements, students
must pass an additional five 3-credit courses with a grade of C or better.
The tracks are as follows:
1. Cyber Track
A. Three courses (9 credits) dealing with the theory and practice
of critical intelligence studies, including the following:
01:790:292
Introduction to Critical Intelligence Studies
01:790:483
Seminar: Critical Thinking and Analytic Writing for the Intelligence Community
01:790:484
Research in Critical Intelligence Studies, OR
01:790:485 Intelligence Studies Internship
B. Cybersecurity (6 credits)
One
course in foundational computer science
One course in computer security
C. One elective course (language or area studies, 3 credits) to promote awareness of the
international context of intelligence work.
2. Policy Track
A. Three courses (9
credits) dealing with the theory and practice of critical intelligence studies,
including the following:01:790:292 Introduction to Critical
Intelligence Studies
01:790:483 Seminar: Critical
Thinking and Analytic Writing for the Intelligence Community
01:790:484
Research in Critical Intelligence Studies, OR
01:790:485 Intelligence Studies Internship
B:
Policy (6 credits)Two upper-level
courses in American public policy pertaining to general policy making or
national security including 01:790:325 National Security Policy
C. One elective
course (language or area studies, 3 credits) to promote awareness of the
international context of intelligence work.
3. Language Track
A. Three courses (9 credits) dealing with the theory and practice of critical intelligence studies, including the following:
01:790:292 Introduction to Critical Intelligence Studies
01:790:483 Seminar: Critical Thinking and Analytic Writing for the Intelligence Community
01:790:484 Research in Critical Intelligence Studies, OR
01:790:485 Intelligence Studies Internship
B: Language (6 credits)
Two language courses in the same language that would count for a major in that language. AP credit can be applied to one of these courses but not both.
C. Policy (3 credits)
01:790:366 National Security Policy
4. Engineering Track
A. Three courses (9 credits) dealing the theory and practice of critical intelligence studies, including the following:
01:790:292 Introduction to Critical Intelligence Studies
01:790:483 Seminar: Critical Thinking and Analytic Writing for the Intelligence Community
01:790:484 Research in Critical Intelligence Studies, OR
01:790:485 Intelligence Studies Internship
B: Security (6 credits)
One course in foundational computer science
01:790:366 National Security Policy
C. One elective course (language or area studies, 3 credits) to promote awareness of the international context of intelligence work.
5. Technology Track
A. Three courses (9 credits) dealing with the theory and practice of critical intelligence studies, including the following:
01:790:292 Introduction to Critical Intelligence Studies
01:790:483 Seminar: Critical Thinking and Analytic Writing for the Intelligence Community
01:790:484 Research in Critical Intelligence Studies, OR
01:790:485 Intelligence Studies Internship
B: Critical technology studies (9 credits)
One course in artificial intelligence
One course in data science
One course in design and analysis of computer algorithms
