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STST8051 Great and Powerful Friends: Strategic alliances and Australian security

Offered By Strategic and Defence Studies Centre
Academic Career Graduate Coursework
Course Subject Strategic Studies
Offered in First Semester, 2011 and Second Semester, 2012
Unit Value 6 units
Course Description This course explores Australia's longstanding enthusiasm for strategic alliance relationships. It examines the roots of Australia's first major strategic tie with the United Kingdom in the years prior to the Second World War and the reasons for its eventual demise. A series of case studies examining the highs and lows in Australia's longstanding strategic alliance with the United States are then undertaken, including the formation of the ANZUS alliance in 1951; the Korea and Vietnam Wars; the New Zealand nuclear ship visits crisis and tensions over Australia's hosting of the ‘joint facilities', as well as more recent alliance dynamics surrounding the so-called ‘War on Terror' and the Iraq War. Finally, the course considers unfolding power shifts in the current strategic order with the potential both to solidify and to fundamentally challenge Australia's longstanding ‘alliance enthusiasm'.
Learning Outcomes Through a series of formal seminars and written assessments, for students to gain a deeper understanding of the sources, dynamics, and potential limitations to Australia's longstanding enthusiasm for strategic alliance relationships.
Indicative Assessment Short assignment 20% Essay 40% Exam 40%
Workload Students undertaking this course could expect a workload of 10 hours a week. This is inclusive of actual contact hours for lectures and also out of class preparation time.
Course Classification(s) AdvancedAdvanced courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide a deep understanding of contemporary issues; or 'second degree' and higher levels of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs.
Areas of Interest Political Sciences
Eligibility Students outside of the GSSD program should contact gssd.administrator@anu.edu.au for permission to enrol.
Programs Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies, Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies, Master of Arts (Strategic Studies), Master of Strategic Studies, Master of Arts (Strategic Studies), and Master of Strategic Studies
Other Information

Delivery Mode:

On Campus 

Academic Contact Professor Hugh White

The information published on the Study at ANU 2011 website applies to the 2011 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2010 website.

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