Meet Mark Wintz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Intelligence and National Security Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Mark Wintz, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of intelligence and national security at Point Park University. Prior to joining Point Park, Wintz was assistant professor and director of international studies at State University of New York at Brockport. His areas of teaching experience include American foreign policy, intelligence case studies, intelligence tradecraft techniques, international relations, international terrorism, Middle East politics, military history, military intervention, national intelligence authorities, national security, risk and threat assessment, strategic intelligence and weapons of mass destruction.
How did you become interested in foreign and security policy issues?
Witnessing the major world events and changes in international politics in the past few decades. The collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and end of the Cold War was an overwhelmingly euphoric time in human history -- truly a triumph of good over evil. However, the 9/11 attacks and global terrorist campaign waged by al-Qaeda also demonstrated that the modern world is one in which hatred, instability and violence remain all too common. These impactful events demonstrate (at opposite extremes) the combination of hope and horror that one finds in international relations -- and throughout human history.
The United States is the most powerful country in the world; thus, we have a more powerful ability than anyone else (although certainly not an unlimited one) to shape the world more in favor of hope than horror -- if we choose to do so. America's intelligence community and foreign and security policy institutions stand at the forefront of that effort.
Knowing this, the more interesting question for me is not how I became interested in these things -- but how could anyone not become interested in them?
What attracted you to Point Park University?
The intelligence and national security program at Point Park attracted me to the University. I knew the program would give me the opportunity to work with dedicated faculty who also have experience in the field. I was eager to teach quality students who know that they want to contribute their talents to the intelligence community.
What courses are you teaching at Point Park?
- Ethics of Spying
- Intelligence Case Studies
- Intelligence in the Media
- Intelligence Tradecraft Techniques
- National Intelligence Authorities
- Special Topics in Intelligence: Competing Political Ideologies
- Terrorism Risk Assessment
- Threat Analysis
- International Terrorism
What are your key research interests?
I am interested in a variety of national and international security issues, including conflict analysis, crisis simulation, international terrorism, military intervention, strategic forecasting, threat analysis and WMD proliferation.
Why is teaching your passion?
At its core, teaching is about the distribution of knowledge and the search for truth. Enthusiastic students who want to learn more about the world around them (and perhaps find out more about themselves in the process) inspire me. It is immensely rewarding to know that many of my students will go on to contribute to their country and to the world in many diverse and meaningful ways.
What advice do you have for our intelligence and national security majors?
Stay curious. Always want to learn more. And remember that the first step on the path to wisdom is to acknowledge that you are not wise.