Information Package / Course Catalogue
IR 326 Security and Intelligence
MEF University
Degree Programs
Political Science and International Relations
General Information For Students
Diploma SupplementErasmus Policy Statement
Political Science and International Relations
Bachelor Length of the Programme: 4 Number of Credits: 240 TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF: Level 6

Ders Genel Tanıtım Bilgileri

School/Faculty/Institute Faculty of Econ., Admin. and Social Sciences
Course Code IR 326
Course Title in English Security and Intelligence
Course Title in Turkish Güvenlik ve İstihbahrat
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Flipped Classroom
Level of Course Intermediate
Semester Fall
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 3 Recitation: - Lab: - Other: -
Estimated Student Workload 135 hours per semester
Number of Credits 5 ECTS
Grading Mode Standard Letter Grade
Pre-requisites None
Expected Prior Knowledge None
Co-requisites None
Registration Restrictions None
Overall Educational Objective To learn to analyze basic security and intelligence issues and processes
Course Description This course aims at facilitating students’ understanding of security and intelligence concept, better understanding the intelligence requirements of today’s world. The course explains main objectives, functions and structures of security at all levels. There is a major disagreement about whether the main focus of inquiry should be on “individual”, “national” or “international” security. The course discusses “the key issue is for whom security becomes a consideration in relation to whom”. The course explains main objectives of intelligence. Also it explores how and where that information is to come from ?
Course Description in Turkish Bu ders, öğrencilerin güvenlik ve istihbarat kavramını anlamalarını kolaylaştırmayı ve günümüz dünyasının istihbarat gereksinimlerini daha iyi anlamalarını amaçlamaktadır. Ders, bütün seviyelerde güvenliğin temel amaçlarını, işlevlerini ve yapılarını açıklar. Güvenliğin ana odağının "bireysel", "ulusal" veya "uluslararası" güvenlik olması gerektiği konusunda büyük bir anlaşmazlık vardır. Ders, “kimin güvenliğinin kiminle ilgisiolduğu”kritik konu dikkate alınarak tartışılır. Kurs, istihbaratın temel amaçlarını açıklar. Ayrıca bu bilginin nasıl ve nereden geldiğini inceler?

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) Describe the historical background and theoretical approaches in the establishment and evolution of security concerns;
2) list basic security and intelligence issues and processes;
3) discuss reasons why states create intelligence organizations;
4) demonstrate situational awareness of intelligence and process.
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4
1) Adequate knowledge of political history necessary to comprehend and effectively evaluate contemporary Political Science and International Relations issues.
2) Understanding of the fundamental concepts that exist in the fields of social and behavioral sciences as well as the correlation between these concepts
3) Ability to analyze the fundamental theories in the field Political Science and International Relations and to assess their reflections into practice
4) Ability to critically discuss different aspects of theories and developments in Political Science and International Relations both individually and in the course of group work during classroom discussions.
5) Ability to conduct research independently, or with a team, about the developments taking place in the international arena, make foreign policy analyses, develop research-based conflict resolution models, and prepare comprehensive reports using computers and relevant software
6) Ability to take decisions as well as to implement these decisions by using the knowledge about the field and the skills that have been acquired during the undergraduate studies
7) Ability to recognize the relations between scientific thought and ethical behavior; pay attention to being tolerant and properly defend different ideas, ideologies and belief systems
8) Ability to work in international institutions and multicultural environments, with the help of the knowledge on different cultures, societies, political systems as well as linguistic skills acquired during the undergraduate studies
9) Ability to display language skills in English at minimum B2 level enough for debating with colleagues on issues of Political Science and International Relations, and also display language skills in a second foreign language at minimum A2 level enough for communicating in daily life
10) Ability to pursue lifelong learning as well as perform advanced/graduate studies in the field Political Science and International Relations and other social sciences disciplines in academic institutions at home and abroad

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) Adequate knowledge of political history necessary to comprehend and effectively evaluate contemporary Political Science and International Relations issues. H HW
2) Understanding of the fundamental concepts that exist in the fields of social and behavioral sciences as well as the correlation between these concepts S Participation
3) Ability to analyze the fundamental theories in the field Political Science and International Relations and to assess their reflections into practice H Presentation
4) Ability to critically discuss different aspects of theories and developments in Political Science and International Relations both individually and in the course of group work during classroom discussions. H Presentation
5) Ability to conduct research independently, or with a team, about the developments taking place in the international arena, make foreign policy analyses, develop research-based conflict resolution models, and prepare comprehensive reports using computers and relevant software H Presentation
6) Ability to take decisions as well as to implement these decisions by using the knowledge about the field and the skills that have been acquired during the undergraduate studies H Presentation
7) Ability to recognize the relations between scientific thought and ethical behavior; pay attention to being tolerant and properly defend different ideas, ideologies and belief systems S Participation
8) Ability to work in international institutions and multicultural environments, with the help of the knowledge on different cultures, societies, political systems as well as linguistic skills acquired during the undergraduate studies H HW
9) Ability to display language skills in English at minimum B2 level enough for debating with colleagues on issues of Political Science and International Relations, and also display language skills in a second foreign language at minimum A2 level enough for communicating in daily life H HW
10) Ability to pursue lifelong learning as well as perform advanced/graduate studies in the field Political Science and International Relations and other social sciences disciplines in academic institutions at home and abroad H HW
Prepared by and Date MEHMET ALKANALKA , December 2023
Course Coordinator AYŞEGÜL KİBAROĞLU
Semester Fall
Name of Instructor Öğr. Gör. MEHMET ALKANALKA

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Introduction: overall discussion on the contents and methodology of the course
2) What is theoreticalmeaning of security? What is the level of security? (BarryBuzan, Chapter 1)
3) What is individual security and national security (Barry Buzan, Chapter 1)
4) What is the relationship between nationalsecurityandthenature of thestate? (BarryBuzan, Chapter 2)
5) National insecurity and the nature of threats (Barry Buzan, Chapter 3) Group Debate
6) What is intelligence? What does it mean? (J.Ransom Clark, Chapter 1)
7) How do we get intelligence? (J.Ransom Clark, Chapter 2)
8)
9) What is counter intelligence? (J.Ransom Clark, Chapter 4)
10) How do we protect ourselves against foreign activities? (J.Ransom Clark, Chapter 4)
11) What are the paradoxes of strategic intelligence and the problem of strategic surprise? (Richard K.Betts, Thomas G.Mahnken, Chapter 1)
12) Introducing of open source intelligence and social media intelligence (Christopher Hobbs, Matthew Moran and Daniel Salisbury, Chapter 1)
13) Towards the Discipline of Social Media Intelligence (Christopher Hobbs, Matthew Moran and Daniel Salisbury, Chapter 2)
14)
Required/Recommended ReadingsPeople, States, andFear: National Security Problem in International Relations, BarryBuzan, Sussex, WheatsheafBooks LTD, 1983. IntelligenceandNational Security: A Reference Handbook, J.RansomClark, Praeger Security International, 2007. Paradoxes of Strategic Intelligence: Essays in Honor of Michael I.Handel, Richard K.Betts, Thomas G.Mahnken, Frank Cass Publisher,2003. Open Source Intelligence in TheTwenty-First Century New ApproachesandOpportunities, ChristopherHobbs, MatthewMoranand Daniel Salisbury, PalgraveMacmillan, 2014.
Teaching MethodsManner of telling with with memorable examples from history and up to date world
Homework and ProjectsTwo Main Homework will be given to learn aspects of Security and Intelligence
Laboratory Work-
Computer Use-
Other Activities-
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 14 % 25
Homework Assignments 5 % 50
Presentation 1 % 25
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration mehmet.alkanalka@mef.edu.tr
05433149870
MEF university values academic integrity. Therefore, all students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the code of student conduct and disciplinary procedures. Any improper behavior, academic dishonesty or plagiarism is subject to the YÖK Disciplinary Regulation.

ECTS Student Workload Estimation

Activity No/Weeks Hours Calculation
No/Weeks per Semester Preparing for the Activity Spent in the Activity Itself Completing the Activity Requirements
Course Hours 14 3 3 2 112
Presentations / Seminar 1 6 1 7
Project 1 8 1 9
Homework Assignments 1 6 1 7
Total Workload 135
Total Workload/25 5.4
ECTS 5