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 adopts a perspective rooted in the disciplines of political science and international relations to investigate intelligence and conflict in a digital era. It traces how the Internet has transformed interstate relations, and the work of intelligence agencies in turn, and introduced many new actors onto the scene – from transnational corporations to troll farms and tech-savvy activists. It explores the probability of cyberwar and reflects on the hype around it. It also critically analyses the world of digital espionage, where governments and companies steal secrets remotely for profit, security and power. We also explore the impact of digital powers and techniques that intelligence agencies and private companies use upon privacy and civil liberties.
The course focuses upon the key research skill of "data collection", introducing students to a range of data collection methods, some of which they will utilize in their data collection projects on issues pertaining to intelligence and security in the digital era. Collecting and assessing data is an important academic research skill. What data or sources are available, how can you collect additional data, what data do you need in order to answer a research question, and how can you use data to come up with a valid answer or assessment? Within the field of Intelligence Studies, reliable and valid data are frequently hard to collect and/or assess or compare. The academic skill of collecting and assessing data is relevant for the professional context, for instance as part of producing a risk or threat analysis. Within the professional field of intelligence and security there is often a need to assess future risks and threats. It is crucial to consequently address the suitability of data and to make very explicit the margins of error and/or uncertainty of the conclusions drawn from the data.
Course Objectives
Develop the ability, based upon an advanced understanding of the principles of empirical research, to collect meaningful data on issues relating to cyber security, and evaluate the significance and authenticity of that data.
Construct a data collection plan that is relevant to a research question of your design and reflect upon its limitations.
Acquire in-depth knowledge about issues relating to intelligence in a digital age, including cyber conflict, cyberespionage, disinformation and human rights, and advanced knowledge of the social and political dynamics of cybersecurity at an international level.
Present arguments and analyses on espionage and war in cyberspace in a format appropriate for a broader professional audience.
Timetable
On the right side of programme front page of the studyguide you will find links to the website and timetables, uSis and Brightspace.
Mode of Instruction
A combination of lectures and seminars as well as self-study.
Attendance is not mandatory, but highly recommended in order to pass the course. Active participation during the sessions therefore is strongly recommended to pass this course.
Total study load: 280 hours.
Contact time: 42 hours (21 hours lectures, 21 hours group exercises).
Non-contact time: 238 hours self-study: reading, preparing lectures, assignments, etc.
The working language of the course is English.
Assessment method
Research Question Design & Data Collection Plan (short written assignment)
- 15% of final course grade.
- Resit not possible.
- Grade must be compensated in case of a fail (grade < 5.50).
Media Interviews (oral exam)
- 25% of final course grade.
- Resit not possible.
- Grade must be compensated in case of a fail (grade < 5.50).
Data Collection Report (written assignment)
- 60% of final course grade.
- Resit possible.
- Grade cannot be compensated, a 5.50 is required to pass the course.
Additional, formative (non-graded) assignments are an obligatory part of the course.
The calculated overall course grade must be at least 5.50 in order to pass the course. If the calculated overall course grade is lower than 5.50, students are also permitted to resit the 50% written assignment.
In the case of written assessment methods, the examiner can always 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
Linde Desmaele - l.desmaele@fgga.leidenuniv.nl