IS-O01 — Open-Source Intelligence Foundations

About Course

Course Code: IS-O01 | Status: IN DEVELOPMENT (Group A — Launch Priority) | Level: Foundation/Methods | Format: Self-paced, knowledge-first

Overview

Introduces lawful, ethical open-source collection and the discipline of source verification and documentation.

Target Learners

Students, lecturers, researchers, policy analysts, government and security-sector professionals, journalists, and professionals entering intelligence studies.

Prerequisites

None for foundation courses. See course page for level-specific prerequisites.

Module Structure (proposed)

Module 0 — Start Here: orientation and responsible use
Modules 1–5 — core knowledge, methods, and applied analysis
Final module — applied project and assessment

Assessment

Knowledge checks, module quizzes, an applied analytical exercise, and a final applied project. Certificate of Completion on meeting all requirements.

Instructor

INSTRUCTOR PENDING OWNER CONFIRMATION. Course materials were developed with AI assistance and are subject to human academic review.

Ethical and Legal Statement

This course teaches lawful, ethical, open methods only. See the School Ethics and Legal Boundaries policy.

Enrollment

Price: Owner Approval Required. Enrollment opens after substantive content is complete and tested.

Course Content

Module 0 — Start Here
Orientation and ethics.

Lesson 0.1 — Welcome
Lesson 0.2 — Ethics and Legality

Module 1 — OSINT Fundamentals
What OSINT is and is not.

Module 2 — Documentation and Ethics
Recording and protecting.

Module 3 — Applied Project
Do lawful OSINT.

Module 0 — Start Here
Orientation, objectives, and how to study this course.

Module 1 — Foundations
Core concepts and terminology for Open Source Intelligence.

Module 2 — Methods
Analytical methods and structured techniques.

Module 3 — Sources & Evidence
Open sources, reliability, and confidence.

Module 4 — Application
Applying the method to realistic, open-source tasks.

Module 5 — Communication
Reporting standards and transparent communication.

Module 6 — Ethics & Boundaries
Legal and ethical scope; prohibited content excluded.

Module 7 — Final Project
Capstone analytical exercise.

Student Ratings & Reviews

No Review Yet

IS-O01 — Open-Source Intelligence Foundations

About Course

Overview

Target Learners

Prerequisites

Module Structure (proposed)

Assessment

Instructor

Ethical and Legal Statement

Enrollment

Course Content

Module 0 — Start Here
Orientation and ethics.

Lesson 0.1 — Welcome

Lesson 0.2 — Ethics and Legality

Module 1 — OSINT Fundamentals
What OSINT is and is not.

Lesson 1.1 — What OSINT Is (and Is Not)

Lesson 1.2 — Source Verification

Module 2 — Documentation and Ethics
Recording and protecting.

Lesson 2.1 — Ethical Documentation and Evidence Handling

Module 3 — Applied Project
Do lawful OSINT.

Lesson 3.1 — Lawful OSINT Mini Assessment

Module 0 — Start Here
Orientation, objectives, and how to study this course.

Welcome & How to Use This Course

Module 1 — Foundations
Core concepts and terminology for Open Source Intelligence.

Key Concepts and Definitions

Module 2 — Methods
Analytical methods and structured techniques.

Structured Analytic Approach

Module 3 — Sources & Evidence
Open sources, reliability, and confidence.

Final Project Brief

Module 4 — Application
Applying the method to realistic, open-source tasks.

Final Project Brief

Module 5 — Communication
Reporting standards and transparent communication.

Final Project Brief

Module 6 — Ethics & Boundaries
Legal and ethical scope; prohibited content excluded.

Final Project Brief

Module 7 — Final Project
Capstone analytical exercise.

Final Project: Applied Analytical Brief

About Course

Overview

Target Learners

Prerequisites

Module Structure (proposed)

Assessment

Instructor

Ethical and Legal Statement

Enrollment

Course Content

Module 0 — Start Here Orientation and ethics.

Lesson 0.1 — Welcome

Lesson 0.2 — Ethics and Legality

Module 1 — OSINT Fundamentals What OSINT is and is not.

Lesson 1.1 — What OSINT Is (and Is Not)

Lesson 1.2 — Source Verification

Module 2 — Documentation and Ethics Recording and protecting.

Lesson 2.1 — Ethical Documentation and Evidence Handling

Module 3 — Applied Project Do lawful OSINT.

Lesson 3.1 — Lawful OSINT Mini Assessment

Module 0 — Start Here Orientation, objectives, and how to study this course.

Welcome & How to Use This Course

Module 1 — Foundations Core concepts and terminology for Open Source Intelligence.

Key Concepts and Definitions

Module 2 — Methods Analytical methods and structured techniques.

Structured Analytic Approach

Module 3 — Sources & Evidence Open sources, reliability, and confidence.

Final Project Brief

Module 4 — Application Applying the method to realistic, open-source tasks.

Final Project Brief

Module 5 — Communication Reporting standards and transparent communication.

Final Project Brief

Module 6 — Ethics & Boundaries Legal and ethical scope; prohibited content excluded.

Final Project Brief

Module 7 — Final Project Capstone analytical exercise.

Final Project: Applied Analytical Brief

Student Ratings & Reviews

Module 0 — Start Here
Orientation and ethics.

Module 1 — OSINT Fundamentals
What OSINT is and is not.

Module 2 — Documentation and Ethics
Recording and protecting.

Module 3 — Applied Project
Do lawful OSINT.

Module 0 — Start Here
Orientation, objectives, and how to study this course.

Module 1 — Foundations
Core concepts and terminology for Open Source Intelligence.

Module 2 — Methods
Analytical methods and structured techniques.

Module 3 — Sources & Evidence
Open sources, reliability, and confidence.

Module 4 — Application
Applying the method to realistic, open-source tasks.

Module 5 — Communication
Reporting standards and transparent communication.

Module 6 — Ethics & Boundaries
Legal and ethical scope; prohibited content excluded.

Module 7 — Final Project
Capstone analytical exercise.