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PICT3012 – Intelligence Policy

2024 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Tshepo Gwatiwa
tshepo.gwatiwa@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
50cp at 2000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces students to the challenges of intelligence policy. It covers intelligence policy in the Western world--with a focus on the Five Eyes intelligence services and other Western/non-Western allies; as well as adversarial intelligence communities. Upon successful completion of the course students will understand some of the dynamics that affect intelligence policy at the national, regional, and international levels. They will also understand the different mechanisms through which intelligence policy is shaped, formulated and implemented. Moreover, students will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of coordination, prioritization and evaluation of the intelligence community, and of the dilemmas of and different approaches to integrating intelligence into policy and decision-making at the national and international levels. Finally, students will understand the broad social, economic, and political ramifications of different intelligence-policy choices.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Explain intelligence and its roles within [domestic and international] policy and decision making.
  • ULO2: Identify key components of intelligence policy, and the different considerations of short-term and long-term policy decisions.
  • ULO3: Identify the challenges posed by the integration of intelligence into policy and decision making, and into government processes relating to national security, international security, and foreign policy.
  • ULO4: Analyse and explain the challenges of coordination, prioritization and evaluation across the intelligence community, adhoc arrangements, and alliances.
  • ULO5: Critically evaluate broad social and political ramifications of intelligence-policy.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online Quizzes (4) 40% No 11/03/24, 02/04/24, 06/05/24 & 27/05/24
Case Study Analysis 30% No 12/04/2024 @23:55hrs (Week 8)
Take Home Exam 30% No 03/06/2024 @23:55hrs (after Week 13)

Online Quizzes (4)

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 26 hours
Due: 11/03/24, 02/04/24, 06/05/24 & 27/05/24
Weighting: 40%

 

Students will attend to a total four online quizzes. These will be spread out throughout the semester. The quizes will address thematic issues discussed in each quarter of the semester. Each quiz will also cover current affairs material in intelligence policy for that quarter. The current affairs material will be shared on iLearn (the LMS), hence available prior to preparations for quizzes.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain intelligence and its roles within [domestic and international] policy and decision making.
  • Identify key components of intelligence policy, and the different considerations of short-term and long-term policy decisions.
  • Identify the challenges posed by the integration of intelligence into policy and decision making, and into government processes relating to national security, international security, and foreign policy.
  • Analyse and explain the challenges of coordination, prioritization and evaluation across the intelligence community, adhoc arrangements, and alliances.
  • Critically evaluate broad social and political ramifications of intelligence-policy.

Case Study Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 12/04/2024 @23:55hrs (Week 8)
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will select and critically analyse a recent intelligence policy issue from any given state in the Western or non-Western world. This includes intelligence policy in the following countries: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom; as well as other cases which are sufficiently covered in the literature: Russia, France, India, Pakistan, Japan, Israel, the Philippines, Germany, South Africa, Ghana, China, and the Netherlands. Students are expected to critically analyse their chosen case study using key academic and grey literature (i.e. policy reviews, domestic laws, treaties, position papers, book/chapters, and journal articles). The unit convenor may choose to select and publish a list of sources which can guide students in this endeavour.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain intelligence and its roles within [domestic and international] policy and decision making.
  • Identify key components of intelligence policy, and the different considerations of short-term and long-term policy decisions.
  • Identify the challenges posed by the integration of intelligence into policy and decision making, and into government processes relating to national security, international security, and foreign policy.
  • Analyse and explain the challenges of coordination, prioritization and evaluation across the intelligence community, adhoc arrangements, and alliances.

Take Home Exam

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 03/06/2024 @23:55hrs (after Week 13)
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will be asked to answer questions on a range of topics, requiring students to employ materials from discussions throughout the sessions as well as the assigned readings.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain intelligence and its roles within [domestic and international] policy and decision making.
  • Identify key components of intelligence policy, and the different considerations of short-term and long-term policy decisions.
  • Identify the challenges posed by the integration of intelligence into policy and decision making, and into government processes relating to national security, international security, and foreign policy.
  • Analyse and explain the challenges of coordination, prioritization and evaluation across the intelligence community, adhoc arrangements, and alliances.
  • Critically evaluate broad social and political ramifications of intelligence-policy.

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

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2024.05 of the Handbook