The module will study the role of spies and intelligence in culture and politics over the past century. Using a range of literary and historical texts – as well as some documents from the national archives considered ‘top secret’ at the time of their writing – you will examine how spying influenced many of the key political events, both at home and abroad, of the 20th and early 21st centuries – from the Second World War, to the Cold War and the threat of nuclear destruction, to the current focus on terrorism. You will examine the difference between intelligence in democracies and dictatorships, the impact of technology on spying, the relationship between spies, politicians and the media, and ask fundamental questions about what is right or wrong in the spying game.

This module will consist of a minimum of 45 contact hours with teaching taking place between 9 am and 5 pm from Monday to Friday.