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Research Progress Review - 2006. Information Analyst Curriculum Development. Dr. John B. Noftsinger, Jr. Dr. Stephen H. Stewart Mr. Kenneth F. Newbold, Jr. Patricia Higgins Benjamin Delp September 8 th , 2006.
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Research Progress Review - 2006 Information Analyst Curriculum Development Dr. John B. Noftsinger, Jr. Dr. Stephen H. Stewart Mr. Kenneth F. Newbold, Jr. Patricia Higgins Benjamin Delp September 8th, 2006
Effort Objective(s): To develop an undergraduate degree program focused on developing Information Analysts to meet the growing national need in the public and private sectors. Approach:Organized a team of faculty members from three colleges to develop the necessary components of a new academic program. Tasks Convene interdisciplinary planning group to outline program needs Develop learning objectives Submit program proposal to appropriate academic approval committees Present program to university Board of Visitors Submit final program proposal to the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia Top Level Summary
Accomplishments • Deliverables, Target Dates • Presentations at National Colloquia (May & June 2006) • Course Design (Fall 2006) • Initial Course Offerings (Fall 2007) • Summary of Accomplishments, Results • Learning Objectives (August 2005) • Proposal to Curriculum Committees (September 2005) • Presentation to Board of Visitors (Approved-June 2006) • Applications • Proposal Submitted for IC Center of Excellence (July 2006)
Courses • Information Analysis • Intro to Information Analysis I & II • This introductory course will familiarize students with the history of information gathering and analysis. • Techniques in Information Analysis I & II • Techniques in Information Analysis will focus on the methodologies behind software tools in an effort to better understand the problem a tool is best suited to solve/understand. • Reporting for Information Analysis • Students will learn effective interpersonal skills in teams or groups by synthesizing opinions, mediating conflicts, and reaching group consensus. • Human and Artificial Intelligence • Through the use of texts, computer modeling, and tabletop scenarios, the student will learn multiple data streams, their possible sources, and expected reliability.
Courses • Information Analysis • Case Studies in Information • Using detailed case studies, students will individually and collectively analyze divergent scenarios relating to the gathering, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence in the government, military, and private sectors. • Internship for Information Analysts • Provides students with opportunities for experiential learning in the information analysis field. • Information Analyst Capstone • An in-depth research project will be completed, allowing students to draw lessons from previous coursework and related experience to demonstrate command of pertinent scholarly knowledge.
Courses • Mathematics and computing • Statistics I & II • Computer programming • Database Design • Critical thinking • Introduction to Symbolic Logic • Causal Thinking • Counterfactual Reasoning • Rational Decision Theory
Courses • Social/political theory • Politics of cultural pluralism • International security in the post-cold war world • Political geography • Political analysis in a Cross-national perspective
Critical Thinking Building on the General Education Program, the Department of Philosophy and Religion has developed a set of courses to support the IA program. These courses make the JMU IA program unique. The courses are: • Causal Thinking • Counterfactual Reasoning • Rational Decision Theory
Partnership with Industry • Analyst Notebook: World’s leading analytical product, is used by more than 2000 organizations. Provides an environment for effective link and timeline analysis. It is the de facto standard for this type of analysis worldwide and is an essential visualization application. • Causeway: Designed to assist people in analyzing complex problems and issues, especially when empirical information is sparse or uncertain. • Structured Analysis Evidentiary System (SEAS): A software tool developed for intelligence analysts that records analytic reasoning and methods, supports collaborative analysis across contemporary and historical situations and analysts, and has broad applicability beyond intelligence analysis
What are your project’s unique selling points? Unique model of liberal arts and technology Only undergraduate IA program in Virginia Who would be interested in funding your research? Intelligence Community Private Sector Recommended next steps Market IA Curriculum to students Advance research component Continued engagement in academic community Future Plans