In 1999 SDSC’s Emeritus Professor Paul Dibb coined the term ‘arc of instability’ to describe the island chain to the north of Australia, ranging from Indonesia through the Pacific islands to New Zealand.  Although this idea is contested, the Australian government consistently identifies this arc as the region from or through which a security threat to Australia could most easily be posed.  As a result, Australia is engaged in extensive efforts to support stability and security in this region, which is the site of the majority of Australia’s military deployments, policing operations and development expenditure.  This course critically analyses the security challenges facing this arc, and the efforts Australia is taking to secure the region.  These efforts include transnational crime and counterterrorism cooperation, natural disaster response, intervention and stabilisation, criminal justice assistance, governance capacity-building and development assistance.  It considers the implications of the whole-of-government approach taken by the government, which draws upon the Australian Defence Force, Australian Federal Police, AusAID and other agencies.  It evaluates the interaction between Australian and local security responses, and the success of efforts to achieve mutually-beneficial partnerships between them.  It also assesses the outlook over the next decade for security in this strategically important region. This course will draw upon SDSC’s expertise and linkages, as there are plans to work with relevant government agencies, including a field visit to the Australian Federal Police International Deployment Group training village, facilitated by John McFarlane, a fellow of the SDSC and retired senior member of the Australian Federal Police.  There are plans to link that field visit to a one-day regional crisis simulation, under the guidance of Admiral Chris Barrie, another fellow of the SDSC and former Chief of the Australian Defence Force.

Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

1. Express a comprehensive understanding of the security challenges facing Australia’s arc of instability.
2. Describe the purpose and activities of the key Australian government agencies working to secure the region.
3. Critically evaluate the Australian government’s efforts to secure the region.
4. Demonstrate an insight into the particularities of the security challenges faces states in the region.
5. Conduct scholarly research, express ideas and construct evidence-based arguments in both written and oral form.

1. Tutorial presentation 10%
2. Briefing paper 20%
3. Crisis simulation and reflective essay 35%
4. Final take-home examination 35%

35 contact hours per semester.

A 2-hour lecture session per week for 10 weeks, a 1-hour tutorial per week for 8 weeks, a one-day (7-hour) crisis simulation and one optional field visit per semester.

STS1001 &  STST1002

A basic interest/ knowledge in security, political science and/or international relations.

Key readings will be provided via Wattle.

Wattle access

Power-point and recording enabled lecture theatre