This course is the first of two [the other being Australia's Strategic Policy and Environment II] which together present a comprehensive introduction to Australia's past and present strategic policy, and the ideas, events and circumstances that shape it.  It aims to provide students with the concepts, ideas and information to understand and analyse the nature of strategic policy, the factors that influence it, the evolution of current policy and the issues relating to its future development.  Specific content will include: The nature of strategic policy, the role of force in international affairs, the logic of strategic policy decisions, the history of Australia's strategic policy since 1900, the concept of strategic risk, and the nature and role of the concepts of strategic interests and objectives in strategic policy-making.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the major concepts underlying Australian strategic policy;
2. Understand the making of strategic policy and identify the role of the concepts of strategic risk, strategic interest, and strategic objective have in the policy process.
3. Understand the history of Australian strategic policy and how it shapes and informs contemporary strategic policy choices.
4. Understand contemporary debates about Australia's current and future strategic risks, interests and objectives, and their implications for current and future strategic policy.
5. Critically evaluate arguments on strategic policy.
6. Express themselves clearly and eloquently in a variety of formats, including verbal and written.
7. Function effectively as part of a small group.

Student Participation (10%), Short Assignment (20%), Reflective journal (30%), Take-home Examination (40%)

Students undertaking this course could expect a workload of 10 hours per week.  This is inclusive of actual contact hours for lectures and also out of class preparation time.

Students can only enrol in this course if enrolled in one of the following programs:

   6827XGCMS

   6826XGDMS

   7827XMMS

   7826XMAMS

None

Core reading materials will be available as an e-brick.