Faculty
Robert Maguire, Assistant Professor of International Affairs (Program
Director)
Description
The Trinity College Certificate Program in Strategic Information
Management and Intelligence is a non-degree program for both
graduate and advanced undergraduate students seeking professional training
in a field of growing importance for businesses and non-governmental
organizations. Special emphasis within the program is placed on how
traditional methods of gathering intelligence information can be applied
strategically by businesses and NGOs to manage modern international
operations and to increase their competitive edge.
Drawing on the unique combination of organizational and human resources
available in the Washington, D.C. area, the 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 information
management, or that can prepare them to work with businesses or
non-governmental organizations. Toward that end, the program places
special emphasis on the urgent need for solid and strategic application of
intelligence methodologies that can assist businesses and non-governmental
organizations to function effectively in challenging security
environments. Courses are taught by intelligence and information
management 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:
INAF 520 Strategic Information Management and Intelligence
for Business and
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
INAF 521 Collecting Information and Intelligence
INAF 523 Analysis of Information and Intelligence to Achieve Results
INAF 524 Issues in Ethics and International Affairs
INAF 599 Certificate Capstone
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 Strategic Information Management and 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 (9-15 credits)
ONE course in statistics:
MATH 110 Introduction to Statistics
ONE world geography course selected from:
INAF 251 Geography of the Americas and Europe
INAF 252 Geography of Africa and Asia
ONE course in computer applications selected from:
ISYS 101 Introduction to Computers
ISYS 141 Introduction to Programming
ISYS 201 Computer Applications in Business
Undergraduates must complete the certificate language requirement prior
to enrolling in certificate courses.
Undergraduate Internship Requirement (3 credits)
ONE Internship:
INAF 591 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.
BADM 333 International Marketing
BADM 355 Issues in International Management
BADM 357 Project
Management
COM 325 Intercultural Communication
INAF 371 International Terrorism
INT
420 Philosophy and Public
Policy
HUM 450 Seminar in Ethics
PHIL 253
Business and Professional Ethics
POLS 243 The Politics of
Globalization
SOCY 231 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 Strategic Information Management and
Intelligence 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
INAF 520 Strategic Information Management and Intelligence for
Business and
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Addresses how organizations can improve information management through the
use of intelligence applications. Reviews intelligence methodologies used
for collecting, compiling, analyzing and corroborating information.
Emphasis is placed on methods, sources and tool kits required to achieve
strategic information management goals and on practical applications in
such subject areas as international marketing, economic development,
humanitarian assistance and international migration. 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. Formerly INS 520 Global Competitive
Intelligence: A Tool for Business and Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs).
3 credits
INAF 521 Collecting Information and Intelligence
Explores how information and intelligence collection requirements for any
organization presuppose sensitivity to the political, operational,
strategic, and tactical needs of the end-user. Examines how organizations
must identify, use, and manage a wide variety of information sources to
meet collection goals. Students learn how effective collection requires a
concrete and specific definition of the task or problem and the continuous
refinement thereafter to ensure the most comprehensive and accurate
collection possible. 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. Formerly INS 521 Global
Competitive Intelligence and the Identification of Collection
Requirements.
3 credits
INAF 523 Analysis of Information and Intelligence to Achieve 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 products for strategic information management.
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 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. Formerly INS 523
Global Competitive Intelligence Applications: Analysis and Results.
3 credits
INAF 524 Issues in Ethics and International Affairs
Examines major ethical, legal, and moral questions that arise in the
analysis of international affairs, giving particular attention to issues
related to the pursuit and use of information, particularly in the conduct
of an organization's international operations and in the broader arena of
foreign policy.
3 credits
INAF 591 Internship
Allows students to be placed with an international, intra-governmental,
governmental, non-governmental organization, or private sector firm under
the direction of an on-site supervisor and a Trinity faculty member.
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. By arrangement only. Formerly INS 599
Supervised Internship.
3 credits
INAF 599 Certificate Capstone
Under the supervision of program staff, the student develops a case study
designed to draw upon the full range of acquired knowledge, skills, and
abilities. The end product is a monograph-length study covering a relevant
and current topic of interest to both the student and a broader audience
of policy-makers, analysts, or program managers. Formerly INS 590B
Competitive Intelligence Applications for Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs), International Business, or International Politics (Capstone
Practicum).
3 credits
Note: Courses with prefixes other than INAF that serve as recommended
or prerequisite courses are listed in other sections of this catalog.
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