IA105 Intelligence Writing and Briefing (Apr. 14–16, 2021, Virtual)

This course covers basic intelligence writing and briefing principles, as well as methods for effective and clear intelligence sharing. Topics include creative/critical thinking and critical reading skills, source evaluation, privacy and civil rights, intelligence writing style and structure, and creating and presenting intelligence briefings. With guidance from experienced experts, students gain hands-on experience by working through datasets based on real cases to produce intelligence products. An instructor and peer feedback process is applied to the reports and briefings produced in class.

Course structure:

• Foundational skills. Learn about creative thinking, critical thinking, and critical reading.
• Information sources. Identify sources of intelligence information and evaluate sources for validity and reliability.
• Analytical reports. Develop a structured and actionable analytical report based on a dataset given in class.
• Privacy considerations. Ensure protection of privacy and civil rights while producing intelligence products.
• Briefings. Construct and deliver an intelligence briefing based on a dataset given in class.