HMLS 7500 Intelligence Research, Methods and Analysis (Fall 2020)

Rick Mecom, course instructor

rmecomjr@tulane.edu

I can be reached 7 days a week through Tulane email. In the event of a true emergency my cell number is (504) 512-4230.

HMLS 7500 Intelligence Research, Methods and Analysis
This course presents students with an analysis of how intelligence is collected and processed and how the resulting estimates contribute to the formation of national policy and homeland security. This course examines the collaborative process of intelligence analysis and is designed to provide students the tools, framework and concepts required to develop leadership skills through understanding how the synthesis and utilization of intelligence impacts decision making in tactical, operational and strategic settings within the framework of the principles of all hazards preparedness. Students will gain an understanding of the history and fundamental concepts of intelligence-gathering and analysis. In addition to tracing the development of intelligence organizations, it examines both the disciplines of intelligence (signals intelligence and espionage, for example) and its products. Case studies will be employed to illustrate enduring issues or problems in the study of intelligence.
credit hours: 3 

Fall 2020 Course Syllabus FALL2020-Mecom-v4.docx

Course Topic Outline & Deliverables 

Learning Outcomes & Assessment Methods

Learning Outcomes

As a learning outcome, upon satisfactory completion of this course, students should be able to identify and analyze general principles, demonstrate comprehension, discuss and critique the following topics as they relate to the utilization of intelligence and how it impacts decision making:

1. Develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts and evolution of intelligence.
2. Understand the necessity for national security and security in a free society.
3. Analyze how priority intelligence requirements are formulated.
4. Explore methods of how to collect intelligence.
5. Examine the integration of intelligence.
6. Planning concepts including methods (I.E. HUMINT, SIGINT, ELINT, COMINT).
7. How the task of collection is factored in with risk management and vulnerability.
8. The collaborative process of information sharing - connecting the dots.
9. Interface between strategic, operational, tactical decision levels and approaches.
10. Collection strategies, planning concepts, synthesis and utilization
11. Interface of predictive analysis and threat streams.
12. Organizational analysis, policy and decision making.
13. Improvement of student writing and student learning by applying strategic critical thinking that frames capabilities, perspective, patterns, trend analysis and linkages of all-source information so it can be applied in prevent, deter and mitigate efforts; development of skills to present facts, issues and positions that convey analysis of information with appropriate diplomacy and emphasis; formulation of sound and informed persuasive written arguments including problem identification, explanation of concepts, solution presentation that persuades executive leadership to adopt a certain point of view, to take a particular action or to make a decision that the writer wants him or her to make; develop, use and demonstrate logic to illustrate that the merits of the recommended Course of Action (COA) are more legitimate, more practical and in the long-term, more cost effective than the other two COAs; refinement of argument skills that use sound reasoning and solid evidence by stating facts, giving logical reasons, using examples and quoting experts.
14. Develop an understanding of intelligence gathering and analysis as it relates to critical thinking and strategic implications.
15. Intelligence analysis as it relates to risk assessment factors, operational concepts, and linkages to decision making.
16. Integration of intelligence and planning concepts as related to risk management, vulnerability and predictive analysis.
17. Intelligence analysis as it relates to collaborative process of information sharing and connecting the dots.
18. Interface between strategic, operational, tactical decision levels and approaches.
19. Collection strategies, planning concepts, synthesis and utilization.
20. Organizational analysis, policy and decision making impact.

Assessment Methods

Course learning outcomes will be assessed by  quiz's, discussion board questions, essays, and a final research paper. Information will be derived from required course readings and independent research.

Tulane University Mission Statement 

Tulane's purpose is to create, communicate and conserve knowledge in order to enrich the capacity of individuals, organizations and communities to think, to learn and to act and lead with integrity and wisdom.

Grading & Late Work Policies

Grading

Student semester grades will be computed as follows:                                         

Quiz                                                          5%      

Discussion Boards                           25%      

Essays                                                     30%     

PPT Brief                                               10%

Research paper                                   30%      

Total                                                         100%

 Semester grades will be based on the following scale:

Rubrics

All assignments will be graded against a rubric for fair and across the board grading. Explanations will be posted on why points were deducted.  Work smart not hard!   

Late work policy

Attendance Policy: Your timeliness and participation in class is required. However, when emergencies do come up, please email or call to let me know. Three late inexcusable submissions will result in a one letter grade subtraction of your FINAL GRADE. If you are late three times and your final grade is a B, you will receive a C.

Course Reading and Supplemental Material

Course Reading

Read Psychology of Intelligence at your own pace, but I recommend you read it before week two of this course kicks off. This is a short and easy read that elaborates of how intelligence professionals think in order to perform their job.

Psychology of Intelligence by Heuer;

ISBN: 9781594546792

Publisher: Novinka Books

Free online access: Psychology of Intelligence Analysis PDF download available at:

https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/psychology-of-intelligence-analysis/index.html

Supplemental Reading

Supplemental reading is completely done through your own personal research. Your essays, discussion boards, and research paper will depend on your extensive research consisting of books, scholarly papers, periodicals, journals, websites, and so on. Independent research is PARAMOUNT to a successful intelligence professional in order to obtain the optimal outcome.    

Make certain to read EVERYTHING in the Modules section under HMLS 7500 Course Overview.

Course Information and Expectancies

MLA

Modern Language Association (MLA) standards for format, citing, and documentation of references etc. are detailed below and at the MLA General Guidelines website: Modern Language Association (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

• The text of the paper must be double-spaced using Times New Roman, 12 point only.

• Leave only one space after periods and other punctuation marks.

• The margins of the document must be one inch on all sides. Paragraphs are to be indented one-half inch from the left margin (five spaces or press “Tab” once).

• All pages are to be numbered consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top, and flush with the right margin.

• Use either italics or underlining consistently throughout the document for the titles of longer works and, only when necessary, to provide emphasis.
• MLA assistance is also available online at https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

Turnitin

Students will be required to submit the Research Paper through Canvas’s external link Turnitin. Turnitin allows the student and instructor to validate the content of the paper being original content or appropriately cited works in a research paper. When a student uploads their document through the Turnitin file upload section in assignments area, a report is generated that illustrates to the student (and instructor) where they have not cited non-original work. Further, it provides the location of at least one source for the information that should receive credit for source materials in the student’s paper. This feature allows Tulane – and all institutions that utilize Turnitin – to compare any previously submitted papers against the student’s submission (both at Tulane and all Turnitin institutions). It also provides the ability to teach students when appropriate citation is required as well as provide near-immediate feedback for assignments.

Instructions on using TurnItIn may be found here:

https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-9538

Discussion Board Questions

Your discussion board post should be no less than 250 words or less using Times New Roman, 12 point only. Respond to at least two other students post and always reply back to another classmate when required. Challenge another student and do not be afraid to disagree, but if you do disagree back it up with a reference. Discussion boards overall do not require a reference; however, if you discuss something that's not common knowledge a reference could be of great use to the reader so they can further their interest. Write your initial post NO LATER THAN THURSDAY to allow other students to read and comment on your post before the overall deadline.

Essay Papers

Essay papers will utilize full MLA format. Essay papers will be 5-7 pages in length not including the works cited page. Refer to MLA in course information and expectancies. Essays will be uploaded in assignments. Read the writing tips posted in the announcements section.

PPT Brief

You will create a PPT Intel brief consisting of 10-12 slides of a current or recent situation applicable to the course learning outcomes with a works cited slide in MLA.

Research Introduction

The informative Research Paper should present an argument and findings that form the basis for conclusions and recommendations. The informative Research Paper will be prepared in accordance with Modern Language Association (MLA) standards. Research paper should be 8-10 pages in length not counting the works cited page. Will be uploaded in assignments within the external Turnitin link.

Make certain to make your thesis in BOLD PRINT for this assignment. This requirement is only for this class, do not place a thesis in bold for other courses. 

Faculty Office

Please use Faculty Office in discussion if you have any questions for students or the course professor. If you have a personal question or anything of the like, please email the course professor at rmecomjr@tulane.edu.

Review and Future Content

At the end of each Module there is a Review and Future Content Section which is blank. This section is filled out either on Sunday or Monday. Ensure this section is read. 

Honor Code

Student Disability Accommodations

Tulane OneWave

Tulane University recognizes the inherent dignity of all individuals and promotes respect for all people. As “One Wave,” Tulane is committed to providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as all forms of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking. If you (or someone you know) has experienced or experiences discrimination, domestic violence, sexual assault or sexual harassment, know that you are not alone. Resources and support are available.  Learn more at onewave.tulane.edu (Links to an external site.).  Any and all of your communications on these matters will be treated as either “Strictly Confidential” or “Mostly Confidential” as explained in the chart below.