DA4600 Dark Networks

This course focuses on dark networks-covert and illegal networks such as drug-trafficking and terror networks. The course's first objective is to teach students how to identify and describe these networks and their dynamics. We use various software packages (e.g. Inflow, e.g. Analyst Notebook) to aid in the identification and description effort. The second objective is to design intervention strategies to disrupt, destabilize and possibly destroy dark networks once they have been identified and described. Students are expected to focus their interventions at the tactical and operational levels, although some attention is given to the strategic and policy levels as well. Prerequisites: None.

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

0

Course Learning Outcomes

• Formal Analytics, Problem Solving, and Design Applications: Students will develop an enhanced understanding of the assumptions, concepts, and terms of SNA; (b) acquire the necessary skills for recording and manipulating social network data; and (c) using SNA algorithms and metrics to assess conflict, will, motivations, decision-making, and power dynamics.
• Information Strategy: Students will demonstrate the ability to craft (at least) three intervention (influence) strategies to disrupt, destabilize, or destroy a dark network or increase the resilience, robustness, and/or efficiency of a light network.
• Transnational Dark Networks: Students will cultivate an understanding of (a) the dynamics of network proliferation and recent and possible future trends, including trafficking in WMD material; components, humans, drugs, small arms, money, etc.; and (b) the avenues that criminal, terrorist, and other dark networks use to collaborate, unite, or compete.
• Writing and Presentation: Students will be able to write an effective 15–20 page paper and deliver a 5-10 minute presentation.