College of Social Sciences and International Studies
Introduction to Open-source Intelligence (OSINT)
Module SOC2120 for 2021/2
Module SOC2120 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
SOC2120: Introduction to Open-source Intelligence (OSINT)
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year-to-year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes:
- Introduction: What is Open-source intelligence? What is its role in contemporary law enforcement investigations? Preparing your computer for OSINT work.
- OSINT methodology and workflow, documentation, and ethics
- Search engines and online communities
- Social media part 1
- Social media part 2
- Email, usernames, telephone numbers, and search engines
- Online maps, geolocation, and documents
- Images and videos
- Domain names and IP addresses
- Government and business records and virtual currencies
- Data breaches and leaks
- Wrap-up revision, and the future of OSINT
The teaching sessions for this module will take the form of weekly two hour long practical sessions, whereby the students will have short lectures from the module convener on the above subjects accompanied by practical exercises.
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
30 | 120 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 22 | 11 x two hour taught practical sessions |
Guided independent studies | 36 | Course readings and other multi-media content |
Guided independent study | 25 | Reading/research for essay |
Guided independent study | 59 | Group work/research for technical report |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).