HLS 225 - Introduction to Intelligence Analytics

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
Learn the intelligence analytical process and review the methodical approaches used by intelligence analysts to prepare assessments for U.S. policymakers. Examine the analytical process used to assess instability/strategic warning and terrorism analysis. Analyze the factors which influence an analyst’s work to include the cognitive, cultural/social and institutional biases and how politicization of intelligence influences the analytical process. Explore various tools and research methods used by analysts to process and organize information and develop and present intelligence briefings. Lab fee $20.

Corequisite(s): HLS 211 or HLS 220 or permission of director.

Location(s) Typically Offered: Online (OL)

Term(s) Typically Offered: Fall

Course Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Utilize analytical methodologies, tool and techniques.
- Utilize analytical tools and techniques in intelligence analysis.
- Practice using analytic software.
Describe the impediments to accurate intelligence analysis.
- Identify and mitigate cognitive, cultural, bureaucratic, self-interest biases.
- Recognize intelligence “noise”.
- Recognize the politicization of intelligence.
- Discuss the impact of deception.
Explain the analytic process for strategic warning/assessing political instability.
- Describe the fundamentals of warning analysis.
- Illustrate the role of political and military indicators in the assessment process.
- Explain how strategic warning supports the policymaker.
- Develop indicators of warning.
Explain the analytic process for terrorism analysis.
- Create terrorism indicator lists.
- Create terrorist hypothesis and utility matrix.
- Demonstrate use of terrorism analytic software.
- Practice organizing information to determine relationships/links.
Present an intelligence briefing for an audience.
- Create clear and concise briefing slides which convey bottom line analysis.
- Express intelligence analysis orally in a concise and persuasive manner.
- Demonstrate appropriate body posture/movements during briefing.
- Emphasize key points for the audience to remember and apply.