POLI 2523 Intelligence and International Security
This course examines the role of intelligence in international security. It provides an overview of the conceptual foundations of intelligence studies and the traditional dimensions of intelligence activity (clandestine collection, analysis, counterintelligence, and covert action). We will then examine classic cases of intelligence success and failure in times of war and peace. Finally, we will explore intelligence's role in today's most important international security challenges: WMD proliferation; the war on terrorism; peacekeeping and humanitarian intervention; and War Crimes prosecutions.
Course overview
- Department
- Political Science
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Periodically in the Fall
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.34 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.38 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 2
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Timothy Crawford | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4–6 hrs/week | 26 of 33 |
| Fall 2022 | Timothy Crawford | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4–6 hrs/week | 31 of 36 |