INTV305 Introduction to Intelligence & Information Operations

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Course Description

INTV305 will provide a broad overview of the American intelligence systems – collection, analysis, counterintelligence, and covert operations – and demonstrate how these systems work together to provide a “decision advantage” for policy makers.  Students will also learn how US adversaries have shifted away from directly challenging American forces and have moved to a less risky hybrid warfare model to achieve their tactical and strategic goals.  Students will use a combination of research and critical thinking exercises to gain an understanding of importance of how intelligence is used to inform the decision-making process as well as how to detect and guard against adversarial information operations designed manipulate information to induce decision makers to act against their own best interests.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

  • Identify and analyze how the American Intelligence Community is structured.
  • Explain how the Intelligence Community supports “decision advantage”.
  • Analyze and evaluate the fundamental characteristics and capabilities of each of the Intelligence disciplines.
  • Analyze and evaluate why collection sources and methods must be protected.
  • Analyze and evaluate the differences between covert and clandestine operations.
  • Analyze and interpret how information operations can be used to conduct targeted data collection, content creation, and false amplification on social media platforms.
  • Analyze and evaluate how Information Operations are used to support national strategic goals.

Course Objectives

During this course students will:

  • Evaluate the discrete phases within the Intelligence Cycle and identify how each contributes to the decision making process.
  • Analyze a case study on how Facebook was leveraged during 2016 Presidential election and used to support adversarial information operations.
  • Research and develop a report on how Intelligence channels are used during information operations.