PO3INT: Intelligence, War and International Relations

Module code: PO3INT

Module provider: Politics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Geoff Sloan, email: G.R.Sloan@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aims to provide students with an insight into the pertinence and diversity of the intelligence function in war, strategy and international politics. This will entail acquiring a thorough understanding of the various concepts, technological changes, continuities and discontinuities associated with intelligence agencies and their activities in the twentieth and twenty first centuries.  

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Identify the origins, structures, procedures and utility of intelligence agencies and their activities. There will be a particular focus on the extent to which intelligence can both facilitate and hinder the achievement of strategic objectives and foreign policy outcomes
2. Appreciate that intelligence is both a process and a product, and that good intelligence can be ruined by a poor process
3. Understand the relationship between intelligence agencies and policy makers
4. Apply the concepts of intelligence and counter–intelligence to two historical case studies

Module content

This module will begin with a detailed examination of the theories and craft of intelligence and counter intelligence. The institutional development of intelligence will be assessed through the inception and evolution of the British (MI5 and SIS) and American (CIA) intelligence services. 

The crucial function of, and the challenges and problems associated with, intelligence assessment of military and naval threats and their assimilation by policy makers and commanders will be examined. This will be facilitated by two case studies already mentioned: the success of the Royal Navy’s Operational Intelligence Centre during the Battle of the Atlantic (1939-1945); the failure of the CIA’s objectives, and its relationship with the office of the US President during the Vietnam War.   

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The course will be taught through a combination of seminars and a number of initial lectures. Every week of the module one member of the seminar group will be assigned to give a presentation related to the topic being covered in the module. 

In addition, extensive use of declassified primary source documents will be made available for every topic covered. This will enhance the student understanding of both the power and the limitations of intelligence. In addition, it will enable them to appreciate why failures of intelligence occur. 

The teaching of this module will be enhanced by the integration of professional experts. This consists of a former Squadron Commander in the Special Air Service Regiment, and a former senior officer from the Special Branch of a British police force.  

Study hours

At least 18 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs