Intelligence and Counterintelligence
If you want to know whether espionage really takes place in the Netherlands and how the AIVD and MIVD investigate terrorism and radicalization, the Intelligence & Counterintelligence minor is right for you. In this minor, you will be introduced to the work of intelligence and security services (I&S services) and conduct your own research into threats to national security and the democratic rule of law.
Minor content
You will learn exactly what ‘intelligence’ is, how it is generated, and what I&V services do with it. We will also delve extensively into the methods and techniques these services use, such as telephone wiretapping, computer hacking, the deployment of agents, and other ‘intelligence tools’. We will investigate how information from all these sources is gathered and how threat analyses are compiled using it.
Naturally, we will look at the Dutch situation, but the most important international players will also be covered: Russia, the United States, China, Iran, Israel, and so on. How do they use intelligence to increase their power? What methods do they use, and how far are they willing to go to acquire intelligence? We will examine the role that disinformation and propaganda play and work with the techniques and skills that intelligence analysts use to turn information into intelligence (products).
Study features
The minor concludes with a portfolio in which students demonstrate that they have achieved the required learning outcomes. This portfolio contains a combination of professional products, individual assignments, and group assignments focused on realistic intelligence issues.
There is no traditional exam; instead, students apply their knowledge directly in practical products that align with the professional field. The assignments stimulate critical and analytical thinking, strategic decision-making, and the application of intelligence methods in a professional context.
The minor is suitable for students from various degree programs, including Safety and Security Management, European Studies (ES), Public Administration, and Journalism. Additionally, the minor is valuable for students with an interest in geopolitics, national security, intelligence, and cyber threats. Students with a technical background can also benefit from this minor, for example in the context of cyber intelligence, forensic analysis, or technological threats.
The minor is offered as a full semester of 30 EC in semester 2 in Leeuwarden.
The minor is accessible to both full-time and part-time students. Tailored support is provided for part-time students so that the content and assignments align as closely as possible with their workload and professional practice. If desired, assignments can be applied directly to one's own professional practice.
NHL Stenden does not have any specific entry requirements for this minor.