| Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence Course Descriptions |
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MSSI Course Descriptions
MSI 601 Globalization: The Context for Intelligence
(3:3:0) Globalization’s threads are woven into every aspect of human existence—leading to a differently constituted definition of self and social morality. This course examines globalization as a phenomenon that intensifies the interaction among people, ideas, economies, governments, and nations. Beyond its beneficial effects, globalization also contributes to political alienation, radical ideologies, and religion fused with ethnic conflict. It facilitates transnational networks of terrorists giving our opponents access to technology and weapons that threaten our national security. Intelligence collection and analysis must account for an interconnected world—drawing connections between disparate realities of the human condition to establish an integrated and global perspective as the context for intelligence.
MSI 603 Social Analysis and the Spectrum of Conflict
(3:3:0) The increasing velocity of globalization places strain on the political, social, religious and cultural identity claims of individual groups, which translates into challenges of the legitimacy and coherence of state and international structures. This places social and cultural analysis at the center of understanding the nature and propensities for conflict which can take the form of terrorism, insurgency, counterinsurgency and conventional war. Conflict is subjective and contextual—one act can be seen as aggressive or defensive, depending on its meaning and intent. This course develops and applies a comprehensive conceptual framework for the analysis of state and non-state actors to assess the underlying propensities and potential for external and internal conflict
MSI 605 Operational Capabilities
(3:3:0) This course develops and applies a comprehensive strategy-centric conceptual framework for analyzing and forecasting the operational capabilities of state and non-state actors. It begins by analyzing the historical and current circumstances of the actor together with how they develop and implement strategy, doctrine and tactics. This intellectual center is then used to understand how the forces are raised, equipped, and deployed within the context of a set of missions defined by strategy. This is accomplished through consideration of such variables as command, control, communications and intelligence; defense economics, which may embrace the global economy; geography (terrain, political, ethnic); personnel; weapons and systems, individual and unit training; and medical support. (Prerequisites or Co-requisites: MSI 601, MSI 603)
MSI 607 Argumentation, Logic and Reasoning
(3:3:0) This is a course in argument and reasoning for intelligence analysis—focusing on recognizing the structure of an argument as the basis for sound and logical analysis. Students will learn to be self-directed, self-disciplined, and self-assessed thinkers. Topics covered are based on accepted competencies in critical thinking. Conclusions (assessments, estimates) offered by analysts must reflect a systematic process of collecting, analyzing, interpreting and communicating information in order to advance the understanding of an event or situation, and be based on a rigorous analytical process for applying human judgment to reach defensible conclusions (analysis and synthesis).
MSI 609 The Compound Eye: Intelligence Collection
(3:3:0) Collection includes a dynamic and integrated set of activities to acquire intelligence information needed to satisfy national intelligence requirements, and is performed through five primary means: Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT), Measurements and Signatures Intelligence (MASINT), and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). Collection must continuously produce the right data and information for successful and aggressive all-source analysis. This course analyzes the collection disciplines of HUMINT, MASINT, SIGINT, GEOINT and OSINT to determine their structure and technology, capabilities and limitations in the context of interacting with and providing evidence for analysts. Case studies drawn from classified intelligence literature provide the substantive backdrop for the analysis of capabilities and limitations of each collection discipline.
MSI 611 Intelligence and National Security Policy
(3:3:0) Emerging trends manifested in the threats and opportunities of globalization have altered collective notions of national interest and national security policy. Our country’s success in meeting the ever-increasing asymmetric and transnational challenges will depend on how well we transform, reorient, and coordinate the National Intelligence Community to support the requirements of our national security policy. This course examines national security policy formulation, the factors that influence and constrain policy choices, and the role of intelligence in this process. The changing nature of intelligence vis-à-vis policy formulation, with illustrations from the global war on terror and the Iraq war, will serve as examples of the relationship between intelligence and policy. Students will analyze and evaluate the future political, cultural, and institutional challenges facing the National Intelligence Community as it supports national security policy.
MSI 613 Science and Technology *
d comprehension of the concepts, principles, and applications of scientific and technical capabilities relevant to intelligence planning and execution. It focuses on the Intelligence Community’s ability to exploit science and technology advances for generating more effective intelligence products and assess the technical capabilities of our state and non-state adversaries, and the implementation of effective threat indicators and countermeasures. Students will analyze national security problems, identify challenges and opportunities for S&T and examine how S&T can enable and enhance human capability. The course examines science, technology and their relationship to one another, the development and acquisition of key technologies, elements of scientific & technical systems, IC S&T organizations, and how “benign” technologies can become a threat.
MSI 615 Deconstructing Strategy *
(3:3:0) Defense transformation recognizes that the US faces both conventional and nontraditional conflict. It recognizes that “success” in conflict may be measured by a political, social, or economic outcome rather than by defeating an opposing military force. Strategy for national security includes finding the proper application of theory and blending of national power into strategy that is both effective and adaptable in overcoming challenges to our national objectives from state and non-state actors, and transnational threats. This course analyzes the strategic context in which US intelligence must operate in the global environment.
MSI 617 Information Operations and the War of Ideology (3:3:0) This course examines the paradigms, concepts, policies, doctrines, and practices for using the information component of national power from an intelligence perspective. Students analyze the intelligence-related aspects of departmental, interagency and international considerations of Information Operations, Critical Information Infrastructure Protection/Information Assurance, and Strategic Communication/Public Diplomacy across the physical, informational and cognitive dimensions of the information domain, with national strategy documents and joint doctrine as the framework. Topics include: the nature of the information environment as a competitive space; national policy and strategy responses to the information age; organizations, capabilities, constraints and equities for maneuvering in the information environment; actions of adversaries; the effects of the global news and entertainment media on national security affairs; and new paradigms for national security.
MSI 619 Asymmetric Warfare: Future Strategies
(3:3:0) Warfare is no longer restricted to the realm of the nation-state and conventional military operations. The complexities of asymmetric warfare require the study of the principles of military strategy across cultural and geostrategic boundaries. Transnational threats pose complex problems for societies, and faster means of global communications networks create huge advantages for a variety of anti-Western groups, including Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah. Fifth-generation warfare will result from the continued shift of political and social loyalties from nations to causes. It will be marked by increasing power of smaller and smaller entities and the explosion of new ideas resonating with populations susceptible to radical political and ideological agendas. Students will assess fifth-generation adversary strategies and understand how the Intelligence Community is tasked to advise military commanders on the sound and proper construction of US military strategy in asymmetric conflicts. (Prerequisites or Co-requisites: MSI 601, MSI 603)
MSI 621 Intelligence Campaign Planning
(3:3:0) This course explores intelligence planning at the national, strategic, theater and tactical level for joint military expeditionary operations within the context of the joint planning process and the Joint Operational Planning and Execution System. It assesses the complex problem of supporting joint and combined organizations and command relationships, as well as the dynamics of the new Joint Intelligence Operations Centers. Students evaluate new and emerging tools for adaptive planning and intelligence campaign planning both in rapid response and crisis modes, and gain a better appreciation of the role of intelligence in peacetime, crisis and war. (Prerequisites or Co-requisites: MSI 605, MSI 615)
MSI 623 Influence Operations: Intelligence and the Art of Persuasion (3:3:0) The National Security Strategy makes the case that “The struggle against militant Islamic radicalism is the great ideological conflict of the early years of the 21st century...” and that “national security depends upon our ability to influence the opinions and choices of others in the “War of Ideas.” The use of influence and persuasion is known as Influence Operations, and is conceptualized within the larger scope of Information Power. This course responds to the description of the global information environment, consisting of connectivity, content, and cognition, and provides an intensive examination of influence and persuasion. Students analyze national, coalition, and others’ use of influence, persuasion, and propaganda, and evaluate these strategies in the conduct of national security affairs. Topics include the psychology of communication; selected theories of social influence and persuasion; attitude formation; the history and use of propaganda; psychological operations target audience analysis; and the development of specific intelligence requirements to support influence and persuasion operations. (Prerequisites MSI 617)
MSI 625 Peacekeeping and Stability Operations
(3:3:0) Intelligence plays a pivotal role in the identification, preparation and execution of peacekeeping and stability operations performed in a multinational context. Stability and peace operations are designed to prevent, contain or resolve regional conflicts. These operations are becoming increasingly a core mission supporting the overall goals and objectives of the Global War on Terrorism. This course examines the concepts of nation building, stabilization, reconstruction and transition across the spectrum of peace operations and analyzes the role of various actors, including nongovernmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, and governmental organizations, and how they interact in the stabilization mission and environment.
MSI 627 Engaging International Partnerships
(3:3:0) Globalization, the mounting challenges of transnational threats, access to hard targets, and the increasing complexity of the world security environment, demand that the US rely on collaborative efforts with trusted partners. Defeating transnational threats, building coalitions, maintaining viable and trusted intelligence warning systems, monitoring compliance, and manning intervention forces, demand the US maximize its ability to collect, process and analyze intelligence on a 24/7 basis. This course examines the role of intelligence partnerships and addresses the need for coalition partner operations, intelligence sharing, and defeating threats to national, regional and global security.
MSI 629 Strategic Crisis Exercise
(3:3:0) This course explores the application of intelligence to operational and strategic crisis planning. Eight weeks of classroom instruction prepares students to participate in exercises hosted by the Army War College and the Naval War College. Students enhance the intelligence value of the exercise by role-playing in “blue” (friendly), “red” (adversary) or “white” (control) functions. Students are challenged by time-constrained decision-making as they evaluate policy and strategy options, assess the impact of threats, resolve conflicting information, and develop and revise intelligence estimates in a rapidly evolving crisis situation. Simulations and gaming help students understand the challenges inherent in effective intelligence planning across a broad spectrum of scenarios: regional wars, military contingencies, homeland defense, humanitarian assistance, and peacekeeping operations. (Prerequisites MSI 615)
MSI 635 The National Intelligence Community: Mission and Enterprise (3:3:0) Intelligence reform has mandated the most fundamental structural change in the National Intelligence Community since its creation. The National Intelligence Strategy (NIS), as updated, provides the framework for this course. Factors contributing to the effective integration of the National Intelligence Community, and the complexities integration brings, are examined. National foreign intelligence and domestic security missions demand that the laws governing these relationships be balanced with the requirements of open society. The NIS objectives provide new directions affecting mission, budget process, personnel, acquisition, policies, and Congressional relations. Students will evaluate how changes in the national intelligence community are meeting the objectives of the war on terrorism, improving analytic and collection capabilities, penetrating hard targets, and contributing to more effective intelligence.
MSI 637 Intelligence Planning, Spending, and Accountability (3:3:0) Intelligence Community management must comply with a complex budget and resource allocation process. Knowing how to effectively navigate competing priorities, domains, and processes is critical to advancing intelligence capabilities. This course examines the complexity of spending resources in support of the National Intelligence Strategy, and how accountability-- the stewardship of taxpayer dollars-- is monitored. The evolving nature of intelligence oversight, and resource management-related topics, are discussed, including the requirements management system, acquisition, OMB’s PART (Program Assessment Rating Tool), Performance and Accountability Reports (PAR), intelligence reform, the role of the press, and the American people.
MSI 639 Acquisition and Intelligence Capabilities
(3:3:0) To transform and build a National Intelligence Community capable and agile enough to meet the challenges driven by globalization and unprecedented technological advancements will require a system to evaluate and securely acquire technology-driven systems. After identifying and budgeting for requirements, there remains the need to effectively manage the purchase and deployment of capabilities to the right people at the right time. This course addresses the acquisition of capabilities within the US Intelligence Community and the interaction with the private sector. Special attention is on the impact of non-US ownership of information technology (IT) and related systems, and the cost-benefit implications of considering security and the acquisition process.
MSI 641 Advancing Intelligence Collection
(3:3:0) Developing advanced intelligence collection resources to address the most difficult intelligence problems requires understanding of the broader contributions of individual collection systems. This course leverages material presented in MSI 609: The Compound Eye: Intelligence Collection with a focus on advancing future collection systems with particular emphasis on hard targets. (Prerequisite: MSI 609)
MSI 642 Signals Intelligence Resources, Methods and Operations (3:3:0) Signals Intelligence, Resources, Methods and Operations is designed to present a holistic approach to SIGINT activities and its support to the Global War on Terrorism and the National Intelligence Priorities. The business of America is mostly conducted on the global information network, (“the Net”) which makes that network a national interest. NSA must carefully and skillfully integrate its missions to achieve an effective, persistent, pervasive presence on the Net. This course is designed to educate the intelligence professional about NSA’s operational missions and how they are leveraged in a new operational architecture that mirrors the global network environment. Students learn how the NSA is integrating all missions into a single enterprise that will give the Intelligence Community a distinct advantage over our adversaries. (Prerequisite: MSI 609)
MSI 643 Advanced Analysis
(3:3:0) To meet the objectives of the National Intelligence Strategy, analysts must anticipate developments of strategic concern and identify opportunities through rigorous application of techniques which explore alternative analytic views. This course focuses on developing and integrating analysis concepts and techniques in order to provide effective estimates of opportunities and threats to US national interests. Students will build on analytic methods introduced in MSI 607: Argumentation, Logic, and Reasoning while developing techniques of estimative analysis, including forecasting and alternative futures methodologies. Key challenges in the national security environment will be used as practical frameworks to apply and assess estimative analysis methods, explore issues associated with analytic processes and develop estimative skills. (Prerequisite: MSI 607)
MSI 644 Transnational Issues in a Cryptologic Environment (3:3:0) This course begins with an overview of the characteristics of transnational threats, targets and issues, and examines how SIGINT resources are used against terrorism, drug trafficking, foreign espionage, international crime and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. (Prerequisite: MSI 609)
MSI 645 Covert Action
(3:3:0) Covert activities and sensitive operations are an integral part of the conduct of war, conflict, and fighting the global war on terror. Intelligence officers, operators and policy makers must understand covert activities and the contribution they can make to achieving broader foreign policy or national security objectives. This course explores covert action--from propaganda and psychological or influence operations, through the range of covert political and economic activities, to subversion and paramilitary programs; the procedures under which covert actions are developed with oversight established to ensure that covert initiatives are consistent with broader objectives. Factors that differentiate the development and implementation of special operations and some information operations from covert activities are explained.
MSI 646 Current Cryptologic Issues
(3:3:0) This course covers the entire cryptologic system, particularly the SIGINT process, and provides an in-depth understanding of the full range of decisions associated with the allocation of resource requirements, and SIGINT production. Students will gain an understanding of the current issues that confront the US cryptologic system and develop solutions for the future. (Prerequisite: MSI 609)
MSI 648 Geospatial Intelligence: Situational Awareness for Decision and Action (3:3:0) Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) uses imagery, imagery intelligence, and geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually depict physical features and geographically referenced activities on the Earth. However, GEOINT’s true power resides in its ability to enhance the situational awareness of policy makers, military planners and military operators by presenting complex problems in a geographical context. This course will examine the historical, legal, and doctrinal foundations of GEOINT; address the ways in which GEOINT supports the intelligence, military, and homeland security communities; look at how GEOINT products and services are delivered to a varied customer base; and explore future challenges. (Prerequisite: MSI 609)
MSI 651 The Roots of Terrorism
(3:3:0) Terrorism represents a critical threat to US security interests today and well into the future. This course examines the terrorism phenomenon with particular emphasis on basic forms that the phenomenon may take, what influences and factors may cause a given form of terrorism to occur, and how each functions within the physical, moral and cognitive domains of social conflict. Students will be equipped with numerous theoretic approaches -- motivational, structural, open systems, and revolutionary mobilization – to enable them to properly identify a specific form of terrorism and discern its strengths and weaknesses. (Prerequisite: MSI 603)
MSI 653 Transnational Threat Environment
(3:3:0) The dynamics of transnational threats against the complexity of globalization have resulted in significant security challenges that shape the intelligence mission. Fueled by globalization, transnational threats include; terrorism, WMD proliferation, environmental degradation, pandemic disease, conflict over natural resources, energy, destabilizing migration of large groups of people across borders, and effects of regional economic crises affecting global financial markets. How the Intelligence Community responds in assessing these new threats will impact how effective decision-makers are in responding with effective policies and plans. This course highlights globalization’s interconnected impact on regional and local actors, distribution of power, and sources of stability and instability. Students will be challenged to assess the transnational threat environment and recommend analytic and collection solutions. (Prerequisite: MSI 601, MSI 603)
MSI 655 Islam in the Modern World
(3:3:0) Understanding Islam is fundamental to successful intelligence operations, especially those which support counterinsurgency. This course, which helps students assess opportunities and threats to the US and its interests worldwide, provides in-depth explanations of Islam in today’s globalized world. Historical patterns help assess the interaction between Islam and the West, and help define the intelligence implications of political, cultural, and economic conflict between the Islamic world and the Western democracies. The nature of jihad, sources of legitimacy, the relationship between religion and the state, human rights issues, and questions of democratic and economic development in the Islamic world are explored. The course also analyzes Islam in a regional context, assessing the interplay between Islam and distinct regional cultures and exploring threats posed by Islamic groups.
MSI 657 Threats to the Homeland
(3:3:0) This course focuses on strategic and operational threats to the US homeland. Students examine friendly and adversarial centers of gravity, critical vulnerabilities, and offensive and defensive strategies consistent with the values of a free and democratic society. Vital linkages, doctrine, and policy between law enforcement and intelligence are explored as are relationships among federal, state, local, and tribal entities in homeland security.
MSI 659 Countering the Terrorist Threat
(3:3:0) The structure, roles and missions of the US counterterrorism community are explored in the context of fused intelligence and law enforcement expertise. This course examines specific components of US counterterrorism policy, the role of the media, the key functions of indications and warning, collection and analysis to derive intelligence futures. Students learn to contrast terrorism and the US response in a rapidly changing international environment. Integrated studies of information operations, collaboration between and among intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and command and control of counterterrorism efforts further enhance the students’ understanding and awareness of counterterrorism capabilities and limitations in a globalized world.
MSI 661 Counterintelligence
(3:3:0) Provides students an understanding of the principles and practice of counterintelligence analysis, including data collection and methodologies. Selected case studies focus on foreign intelligence services and other organizations posing a potential threat to the United States. The students assess the need for changes and the setting of new priorities in America’s strategic counterintelligence program. The nexus of intelligence and law enforcement capabilities, limitations and collaboration challenges are also studied. Counterintelligence analysis will build on knowledge gained from such core offerings as Globalization, Social Analysis and the Spectrum of Conflict and National Security Policy.
MSI 663 WMD: Counterproliferation
(3:3:0) This course outlines the structure and role of the US counterproliferation effort within the US Intelligence Community. Students assess the role intelligence plays in negotiating, ratifying, and verifying arms control agreements. The course focuses on specific components of US counterproliferation policy and the vital role played by intelligence collectors and analysts working collaboratively in the national counterproliferation effort. Intelligence futures for the counterproliferation and WMD problem set are derived, and assessments of change in US intelligence priorities, resources and policies are examined.
MSI 664 Space and Missile Systems
(3:3:0) This course presents the essential principles, components and technologies of space and missile systems. Capabilities of US national assets and foreign systems are analyzed and related to implications for national security, along with proliferation of ballistic missiles.
MSI 665 The Biological Threat
(3:3:0) This course addresses pathobiological, biochemical, molecular, and medical laboratory features of living agents or organic products for potential use in warfare, terrorism, or criminal activities. The scope of biological agents and their potential for deployment against humans, animals and plants, along with relevant aspects of prophylaxis and therapeutics are examined. Attention is given to environmental issues causing certain biological agents to become special threats in specific geographic locations, laboratory diagnosis and forensic investigation. Students distinguish properties of agents or organic products presenting dangers as strategic and tactical weapons of warfare from those with properties more suited to bioterrorism or crime, and become aware of efforts to prevent, contain or counter terrorist and criminal use of biological weapons.
MSI 667 Nuclear, Radiological, Explosives and Chemical Agents (3:3:0) This course addresses technical and policy issues associated with weapons which may be used in warfare, terrorist actions, or criminal activity, and is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of weapons of mass destruction. Distinctions are made between nuclear versus radiological and chemical versus biological. Physical and chemical effects of each type of weapon are explained, along with the current state of the art for detection and containment of the hazards pre and post-use of these weapons.
MSI 669 Medical Intelligence
(3:3:0) This course examines the role of medical intelligence in military medical health care planning, and operational readiness, support to research and development to counter disease and environmental health threats and national policy to ensure safety and well-being of US forces on deployments. Students receive a scientific and technical foundation in microbial agents of infectious disease, mechanisms of pathogenesis and immunity, epidemiology, environmental health and biotechnological advances with public and military health implications. The course is taught in the context of foreign civilian and military health care delivery capabilities and the medical intelligence and operational demands resulting from new roles and missions for the US military in the post-9/11 world.
MSI 671 Africa: Geostrategic Intelligence Issues
(3:3:0) Social, cultural, religious, political, economic and strategic issues in Africa are studied as a way to discern the new intelligence challenges of the 21st century. Emphasis is placed on regional rivalries, ethnic conflict, economic and political relations of leading African nation-states, transnational terrorism, and globalization. The effects of climate change and disease are examined in the context of US-African relations and responses by multinational organizations. New and emerging bilateral and multilateral relationships are explored with direct application to forecasting trends and developing warning issues to guide US intelligence planning and execution. (Prerequisite: MSI 601, MSI 603)
MSI 673 North Asia: Geostrategic Intelligence Issues (3:3:0) This course examines geostrategic intelligence issues in North Asia. Regional interaction effects among Korea, Japan, China, and Southeast Asia are analyzed. The course focuses on North Asian trends and priorities, and the associated intelligence challenges, including North Korean nuclear proliferation, Japanese global investment, economic rivalries between North and South Asia, and the rise of China as a major world power. (Prerequisite: MSI 601, MSI 603)
MSI 675 South Asia: Geostrategic Intelligence Issues (3:3:0) The geography of South Asia forms a crucial economic, geopolitical, and cultural bridge between East and West. Intelligence challenges and the potential for conflict and instability in India, Pakistan, and the smaller nations of South Asia are examined against the geostrategic backdrop of India and China. Topics range from ethnic and religious issues, to economic development, nuclear proliferation, and the roots of terrorism. (Prerequisite: MSI 601, MSI 603)
MSI 677 China in the Future
(3:3:0) This course examines Chinese ideas, culture, economic growth and their strategic implications for globalization. Elements from history, anthropology, religion, political theory and philosophy help to develop an understanding of Chinese thought and behavior. Eastern and Western perspectives are highlighed, with a focus on China’s emergence as a regional hegemon and world power. Current events are used to illustrate the contemporary influence and importance of China as it relates to the national security interests of the US The objective of the course is to produce an intelligence assessment in response to a key intelligence question to include China’s economic growth patterns and trends, the emergence of the Indo-Chinese rivalry and the impact on Asia and the Pacific. Military modernization and resulting intelligence challenges for the US and its allies are also discussed. (Prerequisite: MSI 601, MSI 603)
MSI 679 Europe: Intelligence Partner and Analytic Subject (3:3:0) Europe is the source of the United States’ most trusted, most like-minded global allies and partners and provides a critical strategic platform for pursuit of American national security and global political strategy. This course focuses on the reality of contemporary Europe and how our allies meet US expectations in contributing to multilateral and coalition efforts. European cooperation depends on agreement with overall US strategic aims, the capacity and will to assist and the ability to cope with burgeoning domestic challenges. Students explore NATO and European Union cooperation and competition, disputes among various European states, and the extent to which Europe remains a major factor in determining the efficacy of U.S. strategic, political, cultural and military leadership in the 21st century world. (Prerequisite: MSI 601, MSI 603)
MSI 681 Latin America: Geostrategic Intelligence Issues (3:3:0) The course increases students’ understanding of the threats, current and future, to the United States which come from Latin American countries and regional groups. Students gain a greater appreciation of the roles and responsibilities US intelligence has in collecting, processing, and analyzing Latin American intelligence on behalf of U.S. decision-makers. This course explores developments in Latin America and their impact on current and future intelligence challenges. While analyzing security topics such as international terrorism, regional insurgencies, counter-narcotics and smuggling, the course focuses especially on the critical importance of intelligence. (Prerequisite: MSI 601, MSI 603)
MSI 683 The Middle East: Geostrategic Intelligence Issues (3:3:0) The Middle East dominates the national intelligence agenda. This course examines the intelligence implications of major issues affecting US national security interests in the Middle East. The first part of the course provides an overview of the history, cultures, religions, geography and demographics of the region—to include surveys of patterns of interaction between the Middle East and the West. The second part of the course addresses forecasting and warning in the context of specific Middle East security and intelligence issues, including the Middle East peace process, Persian Gulf security, access to Middle East petroleum reserves and the promotion of democracy. Each student serves as a desk officer for a Middle East country and contributes to the Key Judgments of a National Intelligence Estimate about the future of the Middle East. (Prerequisite: MSI 601, MSI 603)
MSI 685 Russia and Central Asia
(3:3:0) This course assesses Russia and the states of the former Soviet Union, including those of Central Asia. Major political, economic, military, cultural and social issues affecting regional stability and US interests are examined. Topics include traditional and newly emerging political cultures, leading personalities and institutions, economic reform and foreign economic assistance, nationalism and ethnic conflict, separatism and terrorism, civil society and the emergence of the rule of law. This course develops critical thinking and understanding of the Russian and Central Asian perspectives in the context of globalization. It is designed to provide students with a broad conceptual framework for analyzing key intelligence questions. (Prerequisite: MSI 601, MSI 603)
MSI 698 Special Topics
(3:3:0) This course designation is used for one-time-only courses on special topics in strategic intelligence. Such courses may be created to take advantage of special expertise of a visiting professor or to meet the needs of a timely intelligence topic.
MSI 699 Directed Readings
(3:3:0) This course focuses on a specific aspect of strategic intelligence so new or specialized it is not offered in an existing course. A written proposal and list of readings and assignments must be developed by the student and approved by the sponsoring faculty member and the MSSI Program Director. Students may use a directed readings course to satisfy an elective course requirement. |
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Strategic Intelligence
MSSI
MSSI Core Courses 