Admission requirements
Only students of the MSc Crisis and Security Management, enrolled in the specialisation ‘Intelligence and National Security’, can take this course.
Description
This course explores seven key debates that shape the study and practice of intelligence today, from national intelligence cultures and the globalization of intelligence, to secrecy, oversight and ethics, and the role of intelligence in conflict and war. Students will critically engage with traditional and emerging perspectives on intelligence, examining its evolving role beyond the state and in accelerated global shifts. The course focuses on the key research skill of writing a literature review: mapping, understanding, and critiquing the body of knowledge on intelligence. This is a highly transferable skill, relevant to academic and professional environments, as it requires students to conduct independent study, summarise their findings accurately, and identify problems and make connections without direct guidance. Mastering this skill will not only strengthen students’ research capabilities but also make them more discerning consumers of information in all walks of life, to society’s overall benefit.
Course Objectives
Acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of the contributions, advances and shortcomings of the academic study of intelligence, including concepts and theory, topical focus, methodology, applications and implications;
Critically study, search, sort, prioritise, synthesise and assess the body of knowledge on specific topics relating to intelligence, to produce a comprehensive account of the literature and assessment of its quality, a discussion of fundamental debates and gaps in knowledge and their implications;
Communicate knowledge and analysis individually and as a group to complete the course assignments;
Self-evaluate and reflect after interactive in-class work and individual assignments.
Timetable
On the right side of programme front page of the study guide you will find links to the website and timetables, uSis and Brightspace.
Mode of Instruction
The course is taught through a combination of interactive lectures and smaller workgroups. In the weekly lectures, students will learn the key concepts and debates. In the weekly workgroups, students will engage with and apply key concepts from the literature, through debates and discussions, peer review, and exercises that will help them to prepare for the assignments.
Attendance is mandatory for workgroups.
Total study load: 280 hours
Contact time: 42 hours
Non-contact time: 238 hours of self-study to include indepdendent research and reading, preparing for small workgroups and assignments.
In this 10 etcs course, we will focus on the literature review research skill that is going to be part of your portfolio. Specific information on the portfolio assignment and the intended learning outcomes will be published in the syllabus of this course.
Assessment method
Weekly quizzes
25% of final grade
Resit not possible
Grade must be compensated in case of fail (grade < 5.50)
Group assignment
25% of final grade
Resit not possible
Grade cannot be compensated in case of a fail (grade < 5.50)
Literature review (final)
50% of final grade
Resit is possible
Re-sit will take the same form but may be different in terms of topics, cases or substance
The overall course grade must be at least 5.50 in order to pass the course.
Attendance is mandatory for workgroups.
In the case of the final assignment, the examiner can initiate a follow-up conversation with the student to establish whether the learning objectives have been met.
Reading list
A selection of books and articles, to be announced on Brightspace.
Registration
Register yourself via MyStudymap for each course, workgroup and exam (not all courses have workgroups and/or exams).
Do so on time, before the start of the course; some courses and workgroups have limited spaces. You can view your personal schedule in MyTimetable after logging in.
Registration for this course is possible from Wednesday 16 July 2025, 13:00 h
Leiden University uses Brightspace as its online learning management system. After enrolment for the course in MyStudymap you will be automatically enrolled in the Brightspace environment of this course.
More information on registration via MyStudymap can be found on this page.
Contact
Dr. Zakia Shiraz, z.shiraz@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
Course instructors:
Dr. Zakia Shiraz, z.shiraz@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
Dr. Damien van Puyvelde, d.t.n.van.puyvelde@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
Dr. Thomas Maguire, t.j.maguire@fgga.leidenuniv.nl