This course explores the production and application of strategic intelligence to inform national security and policy decisions. It emphasizes the roles, responsibilities, and processes of intelligence analysts within the national security community. Key topics include the intelligence cycle, analytic methodology, structured analytic techniques (SATs), ethical considerations, intelligence failures, and the future of intelligence. Through case studies, practical exercises, and a capstone project, students will gain a clear understanding of the realities and challenges of intelligence analysis, its role in national security, and its applicability to private sector priorities and need.
Learning outcomes for this course include:
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of how strategic intelligence informs national security decisions.
- Examine the intelligence cycle and the roles of analysts in intelligence production and dissemination.
- Understand the challenges, complexities, and ethical considerations in intelligence analysis.
- Apply analytic methodologies and structured techniques to solve intelligence problems.
- Produce and present intelligence products addressing current strategic challenges.
- Encourage critical reflection on the evolving role of intelligence in national security.
Primary Text: Analyzing Intelligence: National Security Practitioners' Perspectives, 2nd Edition, by Roger Z. George and James B. Bruce (ISBN-13: 978-1626160255). -- Available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Other Materials: Supplementary readings will be distributed in class, uploaded to Canvas, or accessible via open sources.
Grading Criteria:
- Attendance/Participation (10 points)
- 2 In-Class Presentations (30 points) - A 5-minute briefing, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session. An outline of the briefing is to be submitted at the end of the presentation, and this outline will serve as the only material allowed for use during the briefing.
- Capstone Analytic Paper (30 points) - The three-page analytic paper applying the principles of analytic tradecraft learned throughout the course.
- Analytic Team Briefing (20 points)
- Final Exam (30%)
* Final grades are calculated as a percentage of 120 total points.
Your final grade will be assigned as a letter grade--at Georgia Tech, no +/- grades are permitted--according to the following scale:
A: ≥ 90.0%
B: ≥ 80.0% and < 90.0%
C: ≥ 70.0% and < 80.0%
D: ≥ 60.0% and < 70.0%
F: < 60.0%
Due to the emphasis on student engagement and participation to achieve the learning objectives of this class, attendance is mandatory. Reasonable accommodation can be made for various circumstances, however, please do not abuse my good nature and that of your fellow students. If you have an illness or emergency that will impact your ability to attend class, please notify the instructor prior to the affected class session to arrange an alternative learning opportunity.
Georgia Tech aims to cultivate a community based on trust, academic integrity, and honor. Students are expected to act according to the highest ethical standards and academic integrity. Review Georgia Tech’s Honor Code Links to an external site. and the student Code of Conduct
All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
Much of your graded work will be written. We treat AI-based assistance, such as ChatGPT and Copilot, the same way we treat collaboration with other people: you are welcome to talk about your ideas and work with other people, both inside and outside the class, as well as with AI-based assistants. However, all work you submit must be your own. You should never include in your assignment anything that was not written directly by you without proper citation (including quotation marks and in-line citation for direct quotes).