This course is the second of two [the other being Australia's Strategic Policy and Environment I] 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 definition of Australia's strategic objectives, the selection of operational options to achieve those objectives, the role of the US alliance in shaping strategic policy, the fiscal context of strategic policy, and the ways in which Australia's changing strategic environment will influence future strategic policy.  

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

1. Understand the factors shaping Australia's strategic objectives.
2. Understand the operational options available to Australia and the factors influencing their relative priority.
3. Understand the role of the US alliance in shaping Australian strategic policy.
4. Understand the implications of fiscal issues for Australian strategic policy.
5. Understand the implications of Australia’s shaping strategic environment.
6. Conduct research on key issues of strategic policy. 
7. Express themselves clearly and eloquently in a variety of formats, including verbal and written;
8. 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.