India’s rise to the status of a major power in the Asia-Pacific region makes understanding the sources and content of its foreign and security policy imperative. This course examines the processes of foreign and security policy-making in the Indian state, with particular focus on such issues as nuclear politics, hard-power diplomacy and military modernisation.

The traditions that help to shape the thinking of Indian policymakers and their critics, and the contemporary dilemmas these actors face in India’s international relations will also be emphasised.

 Students who successfully complete this course should have:

1. A sound grasp of the fundamentals of foreign and security policy-making in India;
2. An understanding of the key elements of the three main Indian traditions of thought about international relations and security;
3. A demonstrable knowledge of the foreign policy and security challenges facing Indian policymakers, as well as their responses to those dilemmas;
4. A developed capacity to present strong arguments in their written and oral work and to deploy relevant key facts, concepts and theories (as developed through written assessments, in-class discussions and tutorial-based activities).

1. Tutorial participation     10%                
2. Short Essay                  20%                     
3. Research Essay                40%
4. Final Examination         30%

35 contact hours per semester

A 2-hour lecture session per week for 12 weeks and a 1-hour tutorial per week for 11 weeks of the  semester

No prerequisites are required.

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

A reading brick of key articles will be provided.

Wattle

Power-point and recording enabled lecture theatre