Analytical Case Study Critique

Assessment Type ¹: Case study/analysis Indicative Time on Task ²: 25 hours Due: Monday of Week 5 Weighting: 25%

This task requires students to analyse and report on a specific, real world assigned case study, demonstrating an understanding of the intelligence analytical techniques involved. It is designed to provide students working on small teams, insight into more complex intelligence analytical challenges and challenge them to identify the intelligence processes at work.

On successful completion you will be able to:

• Identify the reasoning and cognitive processes involved in transforming incomplete information into intelligence knowledge.
• Analyse individual and group dynamics in organisational settings.
• Evaluate a diverse and evolving body of academic literature and case studies on intelligence analysis.

Advanced Analysis Brief

Assessment Type ¹: Professional writing Indicative Time on Task ²: 25 hours Due: Monday of Week 9 Weighting: 20%

This task requires students to build a briefing presentation on an assigned analytical topic, employing intelligence research and analysis to evaluate and assess capabilities, vulnerabilities and risks, as well as opportunities and projected future developments. Students will gain experience in brief preparation, intelligence research and analytical assessment.

On successful completion you will be able to:

• Identify the reasoning and cognitive processes involved in transforming incomplete information into intelligence knowledge.
• Create intelligence products using a range of intelligence analytical tools and approaches, while applying academic research and writing skills.
• Evaluate a diverse and evolving body of academic literature and case studies on intelligence analysis.

Advanced Analysis Paper

Assessment Type ¹: Essay Indicative Time on Task ²: 30 hours Due: Monday of Week 13 Weighting: 30%

This task requires students to prepare an in-depth analytical intelligence assessment using a real world assigned case study. This exercise will challenge the student to write a detailed intelligence estimate using predominately intelligence preparation of the environment and other analytical approaches to write a comprehensive special analytical product.

On successful completion you will be able to:

• Identify the reasoning and cognitive processes involved in transforming incomplete information into intelligence knowledge.
• Create intelligence products using a range of intelligence analytical tools and approaches, while applying academic research and writing skills.
• Evaluate a diverse and evolving body of academic literature and case studies on intelligence analysis.

Weekly Engagement Quiz

Assessment Type ¹: Quiz/Test Indicative Time on Task ²: 25 hours Due: Weeks 2-11 Weighting: 20%

Engagement Quizzes cover subject matter in Weeks 2-11.

Quizzes will assess student understanding of topics covered in weekly recorded lectures and required readings for that week.

This unit requires a consistent level of student engagement with the lecture and reading subject matter throughout the course. Engagement will be demonstrated (and assessed) through participation in weekly quizzes on both the lecture material and required readings.

On successful completion you will be able to:

• Identify the reasoning and cognitive processes involved in transforming incomplete information into intelligence knowledge.
• Analyse individual and group dynamics in organisational settings.
• Evaluate a diverse and evolving body of academic literature and case studies on intelligence analysis.
• Assess the professional, legal and ethical obligations of the intelligence profession.

Constructive Engagement

Assessment Type ¹: Performance Indicative Time on Task ²: 19 hours Due: Weekly, Weeks 2-13 Weighting: 5%

This assessment task is designed to promote student engagement, not only with the lecture materials and required readings, but through other readings, monitoring world events and in the context of presented questions, constructively engaging in considered and critical discussion with other students, moderated by the lecturer or tutor.

On successful completion you will be able to:

• Identify the reasoning and cognitive processes involved in transforming incomplete information into intelligence knowledge.
• Analyse individual and group dynamics in organisational settings.
• Create intelligence products using a range of intelligence analytical tools and approaches, while applying academic research and writing skills.
• Evaluate a diverse and evolving body of academic literature and case studies on intelligence analysis.
• Assess the professional, legal and ethical obligations of the intelligence profession.

¹ If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

• the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
• the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

² Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS 

• You should spend an average of 12 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to lectures prior to seminar or tutorial, reading weekly required materials as detailed in iLearn, participating in iLearn discussion forums, and preparing assessments. 
• Internal students are expected to attend all seminar or tutorial sessions, and external students are expected to make significant contributions to on-line activities. 
• In most cases students are required to attempt and submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit. 

  REQUIRED READINGS 

• The citations for all the required readings for this unit are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site, and at Macquarie University’s library site.  Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed through the library or will be made available by other means. 

  TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED 

• Computer and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement. 
• This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. 
• Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient. 
• Information about IT used at Macquarie University is available at http://students.mq.edu.au/it_services/.  

  SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS 

• All text-based assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically.  This will only happen through the unit iLearn site.  
• Assessment tasks must be submitted as a MS word document by the due date. 
• Most assessment tasks will be subject to a “Turnitin” review as an automatic part of the submission process. 
• The granting of extensions is subject to the university’s Special Consideration Policy. Extensions will not be granted by unit conveners or tutors, but must be lodged through Special Consideration: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration.  

  LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS 

• Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of “0” (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.   
• This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs) will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. 

  WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS 

• Stated word limits include footnotes and footnoted references, but not bibliography, or title page. 
• Word limits can generally deviate by 10% either over or under the stated figure. 
• If the number of words exceeds the limit by more than 10%, then penalties will apply. These penalties are 5% of the awarded mark for every 100 words over the word limit. If a paper is 300 words over, for instance, it will lose 3 x 5% = 15% of the total mark awarded for the assignment. This percentage is taken off the total mark, i.e., if a paper was graded at a credit (65%) and was 300 words over, it would be reduced by 15 marks to a pass (50%). 
• The application of this penalty is at the discretion of the course convener. 

  REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER 

• Macquarie University operates a Grade Appeal Policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html.  
• In accordance with the Grade Appeal Policy, individual works are not subject to regrading. 

  STAFF AVAILABILITY 

• Department staff will endeavour to answer student enquiries in a timely manner. However, emails or iLearn messages will not usually be answered over the weekend or public holiday period. 
• Students are encouraged to read the Unit Guide and look at instructions posted on the iLearn site before sending email requests to staff. 

Late penalty altered