Intel Oversight Reform

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor

This course examines the rare and sometimes contentious intersection of intelligence and politics—intelligence oversight and reform—with the goal of answering a simple question: What is the purpose of intelligence accountability and the reform it occasionally produces? It’s fair to say that intelligence oversight and reform aims to improve the intelligence mission. But how did our intelligence accountability structures develop, when have they lead to reform, and what are the prospects for them to prevent intelligence failure? Through course readings, discussion, and written assignments students will hone their critical thinking, writing, and communication skills by debating, analyzing, and writing short papers about the development of the intelligence community and the oversight structures that govern it. Students will evaluate the theory and practice of intelligence oversight, the impact of oversight and reform on intelligence agencies, and debate tradeoffs between secrecy and national security. Students will also examine the shifts in executive, legislative, and judicial oversight and explore the role and challenges of the media and the private sector in intelligence accountability. Intelligence accountability in other democracies will also be reviewed to add perspective on the US case. Much of the course focuses on oversight of the CIA, but NSA and other intelligence agencies will also be covered. Students will have options to pursue issues of interest within the course curriculum. Previous courses in political science, security studies, and intelligence are helpful but not prerequisites.