This course examines the interrelated nature of Australia’s national security challenges and assesses the risks and opportunities they present to Australia's national interests. The course will be structured as a thematic examination of the range of challenges to Australia’s security, and the policy responses adopted to address their risk to Australian national interests. An indicative structure of the seminars cover a breadth of topic from the key concepts of security and risk, Australia’s national interests and national security in an age of globalization, the United States and China in the Asia-Pacific region, vulnerable and rogue states, WMD proliferation and arms control, terrorism and insurgency, crime and border threats, cyber security, resilience, and emerging security challenges.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Analyse Australia’s national security environment and the drivers that may change that environment;

2. Critically analyse the challenges posed to Australia’s national security;

3. Evaluate Australia’s policy approaches to security challenges;

4. Logical and critically assess the risks to Australia’s national interests from the security challenges examined;

5. Understand risk concepts and how they may be applied in national security; and

6. Demonstrate an ability to explain the risks associated with security challenges.

7. Conduct research in archives, libraries, and using internet resources.

8. Exercise attention to detail and analytical rigour in academic writing.

9. Communicate effectively to a peer audience in oral presentations and informal interventions on topics related to national security.

12,000 words:

Short Essay (20%)

Critical Thinking/Reflection Journal (30%)

Research Essay (40%)

Research Essay Verbal Presentation (10%)

20 hours per week (over 13 weeks), including 4 contact hours per week comprised of one 3 hour seminar and a 1 hour tutorial/online activity.

Incompatible with NSPO8002 and NSPO8004.

A basic understanding of Australian and regional history and the general geo-political landscape of the Asia –Pacific region.

Whilst not prescribed, students may find the following texts or documents useful:

• John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens, eds. The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.
• Barry Buzan. People, States and Fear: An Agenda for International Security Studies in the Post-Cold War Era. 2nd ed. New York, London: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1991.
• Hedley Bull. The anarchical society: a study of order in world politics. London: Macmillan, 1977.
• Department of Defence. Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, 2009.
• Allan Gyngell and Michael Wesley. Making Australian Foreign Policy. 2nd ed. Melbourne: Cambridge University Press, 2007.
• Peter Paret, ed. The Makers of Modern Strategy, from Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1986.
• Kevin Rudd. The First National Security Statement to the Australian Parliament. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, 2008.

Internet access to Wattle and the ANU Library Catalogue