This course begins with an overview of how Australia's defence and foreign policies have evolved since the end of the Second World War; what has informed Australian defence and foreign policy and policy-making during this period; and what have been the principal concerns raised about, and criticisms made of, our policies in academe and elsewhere. Key questions considered include: how and by who is policy made; to what extent are debates about Australia's foreign and defence policies informed by the issues of alliances and identity; and are Australia's policies shaped largely by external or internal forces and factors?

The second half of the course examines some of the key themes and issues in Australian foreign and defence policy since the end of the Cold War. These are: national security and the so-called 'war on terrorism', regional engagement and intervention, bilateralism and multilateralism, the role of middle powers and middle power diplomacy, 'good international citizenship' and 'duties beyond borders', and managing Australia's relationships with existing and aspiring regional powers.