Hidden codes, special devices, fiendish villains, and top secrets all have a special place in popular culture, but as alluring as the mythology may be, it does not answer important questions about the roles that espionage and intelligence agencies play in international relations. This course covers the evolution of spying and spy services from the late 19th century to the present, focusing on the effects of major issues such as the two world wars, the Cold War, 9-11, and international security threats today. This course examines the evolution of intelligence services throughout the twentieth century, with particular reference to the two world wars, technological changes, and the “Cold War” confrontation after 1945. Special attention in the course will be paid to the role that intelligence played in securing the Allied victory during World War Two, and in crucial Cold War events like the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War. We will also study numerous historical intelligence failures and how they shaped the world in which we live. The course will explore various realities and perceptions of the intelligence world to examine the processes, see how institutions function, and come to terms with how intelligence is disseminated, employed, and understood. Because of the importance of popular culture in helping to form our understanding of espionage, we will also look at the impact of spy fiction, TV, films, and other media in shaping our perceptions of intelligence matters. The course will conclude with an examination of the many challenges intelligence services face today, and the future of spying in the post-Cold War world. In this regard, the events of September 11, 2001, the current “war on terrorism”,  renewed rivalries between superpowers, cyberespionage, election interference, “foreign government influence”, and the many other facets of contemporary international security discourse will be discussed. Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to see how intelligence and espionage have shaped history, and continue to impact your every day life: often in ways you may not have considered.  Accordingly, you should remember that key issues like personal liberties, human rights, and the development/preservation of civil societies are always part of a discussion on what intelligence is and does.