Introductory description

In short, this module aims to introduce to the various debates that have characterised the use of secret service by the state in the international and domestic context. Although the terms 'espionage', 'intelligence' and 'secret service' are all central to the concerns of this module they have been deliberately avoided in the above module description given in the handbook. This is because this module aims to situate all these things in a broader governmental context, viewing them as aspects of international statecraft or as constitutional problems or as issues of civil rights. Accordingly, this module is as much about how policy-makers make use, or fail to make use, of intelligence, and how secret services might be regulated within a constitutional framework, as about the practice of secret service itself.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

TBC

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• demonstrate an appreciation of the historical context of intelligence
• critically discuss the characteristics of the accountability frameworks
• assess the strengths and weaknesses of the key theoretical debates governing the intelligence cycle
• critically analyse, both orally and in writing, the current issues facing national and regional approaches to intelligence

Indicative reading list

TBC

Subject specific skills

TBC

Transferable skills

TBC