Faculty

Robert Maguire, Assistant Professor of International Affairs (Program Director)

Description

The Trinity College Certificate Program in Global Competitive Intelligence: Applications for Business, Non-Governmental Organizations and Government is a non-degree program for both graduate and advanced undergraduate students seeking professional training in a field of growing importance. Special emphasis within the program is placed on emerging intelligence needs in the early 21st Century.

Drawing on the unique combination of organizational and human resources available in the Washington, D.C. area, the GCI Certificate Program takes a decidedly applied approach. Students will interact with practitioners in government and the private sector, acquiring knowledge that can either enhance their ongoing professional involvement in the field of intelligence, or that can prepare them to work in the field of intelligence in government agencies, businesses, or non-governmental organizations. Toward that end, the program places special emphasis on the urgent need for solid intelligence analysis that assists governments, businesses and non-governmental organizations to function effectively in a challenging security environment. Courses are taught by intelligence professionals from both government and business.

In addition to a minimum of 12 credits of required course work, the program requires completion of a three-credit capstone course during which an independent research paper is written. Advanced undergraduate students enrolled in the certificate program must also complete a three-credit supervised internship. Students receiving the certificate must also demonstrate a beginning proficiency in a language other than English.

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Certificate Requirements

Required Core Courses (15 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

INS 520 Global Competitive Intelligence: A Tool for Business and
             Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
INS 521 Global Competitive Intelligence and the Identification of Collection Requirements
INS 522 Global Competitive Intelligence and the Achievement of Collection Goals
INS 523 Global Competitive Intelligence Applications: Analysis and Results
INS 590B Competitive Intelligence Applications for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs),
               International Business, or International Politics

Language Requirement

To receive the certificate, students must demonstrate a beginning proficiency in a language other than English that is relevant to applied intelligence work.

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Additional Requirements for Undergraduates

While the Global Competitive Intelligence Certificate Program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree, advanced undergraduate students may pursue the certificate program once they have completed the prerequisites listed below. Undergraduate students must also complete an internship

Undergraduate Prerequisites (15 credits)

TWO sequenced semesters of foreign language, such as:

FRN 101 & FRN 102 Elementary French I & II
SPA 101 & SPA 102 Elementary Spanish I & II

ONE course in statistics:

MAT 110 Introduction to Statistics

ONE world geography course selected from:

INS 386 World Geography I
INS 388 World Geography II

ONE course in computer applications selected from:

MAT 104 Introduction to Computer Science
MTS 102 The Digital World

Undergraduate Internship Requirement (3 credits)

ONE Internship:

INS 599 Supervised Internship

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Certificate Enhancing Courses

Optional courses from the following list will enhance the student's knowledge of issues linked to competitive intelligence applications.

BUA 337 International Business
BUA 401 Project Management
COM 325 Intercultural Communication
INS 302 International Terrorism
INS 387 Ethics and International Affairs
INT 420 Philosophy and Public Policy
HUM 450 Seminar in Ethics
PHI 213 Applied Ethics II: Business and Professional Ethics
PSC 214 The Politics of Globalization
SOC 259 International Migration: An Introduction to the Issues

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Program Policies

Advanced Placement: Advanced placement credits do not count toward certificate requirements. 

CLEP Policy: Credits earned through CLEP do not count toward certificate requirements, although with approval of the Program Director they may be used to demonstrate language proficiency

Grades in Certificate Courses: Students must earn a grade of "B" (3.0) or better in all required courses and the practicum capstone 

Pass/No Pass: Courses fulfilling the certificate requirements may not be taken pass/no pass. 

Receipt of the Certificate: The Certificate in Global Competitive Intelligence: Applications for Business, Non-Governmental Organizations and Government will be awarded upon completion of the minimum required course work with acceptable grades (see above). Undergraduates pursuing the certificate must also complete a supervised internship; the certificate will be awarded upon completion of the bachelor's degree and all certificate course work with acceptable grades (see above). 

TELL Policy: TELL credits are not applicable toward the certificate. 

Transfer Credits: Transfer credits are not applicable toward the certificate, although with the approval of the Program Director they may be used to demonstrate language proficiency and/or to serve as undergraduate prerequisites.

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Course Descriptions

INS 520 Global Competitive Intelligence: A Tool for Business and Non-Governmental
             Organizations (NGOs) 
Addresses how organizational survival demands constant scanning of the environment and of the activities and intentions of other entities or individuals within that environment. These efforts entail collecting, compiling, analyzing, and corroborating factual data to make accurate estimates of strengths, weaknesses, and resources of actual or potential competitors and of their probable response to threats and opportunities. This course explores methods, sources, and tool kits required to achieve these goals. Students identify critical issues, problems, and potential areas in which intelligence is applicable and utilize techniques to assist policy-makers in corporate and non-governmental settings. 3 credits

INS 521 Global Competitive Intelligence and the Identification of Collection Requirements 
Explores how the identification of collection requirements for any organization presupposes sensitivity to the political, operational, strategic, and tactical needs of the end-user.  Students learn how effective collection requires a concrete and specific definition of the task or problem and the continuous refinement of both the task and the data and information compiled to ensure the most comprehensive and accurate collection possible. This course provides the perspective and methodology needed to accomplish these objectives.  3 credits

INS 522 Global Competitive Intelligence and the Achievement of Collection Goals 
Examines how organizations must identify, use, and manage a wide variety of information sources to meet intelligence collection goals. This course covers the full range of intelligence collection disciplines, including the governmental, academic, and corporate models, with an emphasis on the acquisition, evaluation, and protection of data/information resources from both available open sources and restricted and/or proprietary environments. It also explores source management issues, including ethical and legal implications.  Each student acquires the strong foundation in the theory, practice, and management of intelligence collection activities needed to undertake his or her major independent study project.  3 credits

INS 523 Global Competitive Intelligence Applications: Analysis and Results
Examines theoretical foundations of analytical thinking.  Practical exercises enable students to draw valid analytical conclusions, recognize sources of bias and error, understand the role of personality and psychology in the analysis process, and effectively produce clear and actionable finished intelligence products. Ancillary topics include the use of analytical support software, the analyst/policymaker division, and the editing and peer review process. Students distinguish among general types of intelligence products and their applications, produce coherent written analysis and briefings for a variety of audiences, and acquire a solid working knowledge of analytical methodologies to complement their professional skills.  3 credits

INS 590B Competitive Intelligence Applications for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs),
               International Business, or International Politics (Capstone Practicum)
Requires each student to select a project designed to draw upon acquired knowledge, skills, and abilities in order to produce a professional quality intelligence monograph.  Two principles guide students in their research.  First, the conduct of intelligence operations in any organizational environment raises issues of equity and privacy, particularly since substantial information is available from sources both within and beyond the institution.  Second, an organization survives and develops not due to the presence of technology but rather because it make optimal use of its knowledge base while respecting the interdependent rights and responsibilities of institutional actors.  3 credits

INS 599 Supervised Internship
By special arrangement, students are placed with an international, intra-governmental, governmental,  non-governmental organization, or private sector firm with a section or component involved in intelligence collection and analysis. During the 96-hour internship, students are expected to apply acquired knowledge, skills, and abilities to make a positive contribution to the work of the host organization. This course is required for advanced, full-time undergraduate students.
3 credits

Note: Courses with prefixes other than INS that serve as recommended or prerequisite courses are listed in other sections of this catalog.

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