Prospectus

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Secret Affairs 2

Course
2022-2023

Admission requirements

This course is designed for the minor Intelligence Studies. It is not possible to follow single courses of this minor. You need to be enrolled in Usis for the minor to be accepted to this course. There are 75 places open for registration, on a first come first serve basis, where LDE students are given priority.

This course is also open for inbound exchange students if they wish to take the entire minor Intelligence Studies; it is not possible to take single courses from this minor. Exchange students must be admitted by the FGGA International Office prior to the start of the minor; priority will be given to direct exchange partners of FGGA. For more information about the application procedure for exchange students, please contact the FGGA International Office at international@fgga.leidenuniv.nl.

Description

During the past thirty years the so-called intelligence revolution that took place during the Second World War and the Cold War found its way into academic courses and literature. In many respects intelligence can no longer be called ‘the missing dimension’ of the history of international relations, even though many of its aspects and implications are still missing. This lecture series will put a spotlight on the ‘dark side’ of international relations and the hidden background issues that go on behind the sealed scenes of international relations.

This course will go into depth into the topics touched upon in the Introduction to Secret Affairs. Among others, special attention will be paid to negotiations, international cooperation, counter terrorism and counter intelligence. Furthermore, students will be challenged to use their own ‘spy-capacities’ and put themselves in the adversary’s position.

Course objectives

  1. The student is able to describe and interpret the possible role and influence of intelligence in international politics and is able to illustrate how states can use intelligence as an instrument of power;
  2. The student gains knowledge on historical and recent international cooperation between security- and/or intelligence agencies;
  3. The student is able to describe different styles of (international) negotiations and apply this knowledge in a simulation of international negotiations;
  4. The student is able to reflect on a so-called applied doctrine/proto-theory;
  5. The student develops writing skills and skills in regard to the academic use of sources;
  6. The student is able to work together in a group with other students.

Timetable

The timetable will be displayed with a link on this course page, the website, Brightspace and on the front page of this minor programme.

Mode of instruction

7 lectures of 3 hours by instructors and guest lecturers.
3 working groups of 2 hours

Participation in lectures, discussions and exercises is required in order to obtain a grade. One lecture may be missed. Being absent more than once will lead to expulsion from the course.

Assessment method

Assignment 1: 20%

  • 20% of total grade

  • Resit not possible

  • Grade must be compensated

Group assignment: 20%

  • 20% of total grade

  • Resit not possible

  • Grade must be compensated

Final exam: 60%

  • 60% of total grade

  • Grade must be 5.50 or higher to pass the course

  • Resit possible

  • Resit will take the same form

Students will also be permitted to resit the 60% final exam if they have a calculated overall course grade lower than 5.50 or with permission of the Board of Examiners. The assignments need to be compensated.

Details for submitting papers (deadlines) are posted on Brightspace.

Late hand in penalty: 1 minus per day, and after three days we do not accept the assignment any longer.

The Course and Examination Regulation Security Studies and the Rules and Regulation of the Board of Examiners of the Institute of Security and Global Affairs apply.

Reading list

TBA on brightspace

Registration

Registration via MyStudymap or uSis is possible from August 1st 13.00 h, after registration for the entire minor. Register for every course and workgroup via MyStudymap or uSis.
Leiden University uses Brightspace as its online learning management system. Important information about the course is posted here.
After enrolment for the course in uSis you are also enrolled in the Brightspace environment of this course.

Contact

Intelligence Studies

Remarks

This course can only be taken as part of the minor Intelligence Studies.
All sessions will be in English. Exams and assignments need to be written in English.
Please be aware that resits will take place in January.