Admission requirements
Only students of the MSc Crisis and Security Management can take this course.
Description
Advancing national security and preventing terrorist attacks goes along with many ethical dilemmas in the work of security and intelligence services. The use of special powers circumventing freedoms of citizen is by design complex and requires on a case-by-case basis deliberation on ethical aspects. Having strict legislative restrictions and oversight mechanisms in place guides the democratic functioning of security and intelligence services. However, scandals such as the 2013 Edward Snowden leaks, or the fallout from the faulty intelligence on Weapons of Mass Destruction that led to the invasion of Iraq in 2003 under false pretenses show how fragile the ethical dimension of intelligence work can be.
In this course we will explore ethical challenges in the work of security and intelligence services. We will study different ethical theories to address security issues and learn about opportunities and risks attached to those theories. We will dive into case studies and learn lessons from the past. Furthermore, we will address current developments as well. Many unfolding insecurities – like the war in Ukraine, unrest in de Middle East and radicalization within democratic societies – add to the already high expectations towards the security and intelligence services. Combined with the pace of technological developments (like the implementation of artificial intelligence), ethical challenges in the work of intelligence agencies remain utterly dynamic.
The teaching materials of this course include scientific literature as well as reports of official investigations, autobiographical writings of intelligence actors.
Course Objectives
After completing the course the student will be able to:
Understand the complex ethical dimensions of the work of security and intelligence agencies.
Analyze complex security issues from different theoretical ethical perspectives.
Critically apply ethical theories to address concrete security issues.
Timetable
On the right side of programme front page of the E-guide you will find links to the website and timetables, uSis and Brightspace.
Mode of Instruction
This course consists of seven lectures, including guest lectures, moral case deliberations of workgroups and general debates.
In the last part of the course, we will have several moral case deliberations on concrete ethical dilemmas that are prepared within workgroups. Guidelines on this group work will be distributed and explained in the first meeting.
Assessment method
The final grade of the course is based on two assessments:
1. Group presentation and moral deliberation, (20% of the final grade). In case of a fail the grade must be compensated. We do not offer a resit for this assignment.
2. Final and individual paper (80% of the final grade). Resit will take the same form. This paper must be a 5.5 or higher in order to pass the course. Compensation is not possible.
Reading list
The booktitles and / or syllabi to be used in the course, where it can be purchased and how this literature should be studied beforehand. Keep in mind the rules for copyright (Auteursrechteninformatiepunt). The fines are high.
Registration
*Please note, registration for block 4 electives will be organised by the OSC in a different way from the regular course registration for semester 2. More information about this will follow in the beginning of semester 2.
Contact
Dr. Michael Kowalski m.kowalski@fgga.leidenuniv.nl