This course focuses on the foundations for defence policy making and exploring these key conceptual ideas and functions through contemporary policy issues. It will investigate the key questions that underpin ADF force structure; the role and function of the ANZUS alliance; the kinds of operations that the ADF has carried out in the past and may be asked to undertake in the future; the structure and development of defence policy in Australia; financing defence policy; capability acquisition and the strategic environment. The course addresses these questions by laying down the foundations of this policy area and then addressing them through using a series of contemporary challenges facing Australia. This is done in order to analyse both conceptual foundations as well as issues such as Australia's contemporary strategic objectives and interests.

1. Describe the foundations and process of defence policy making in Australia

2. Critically evaluate key strategic policy making decisions in Australian defence history.

3. Apply conceptual and theoretical understandings of Australian strategic policy making to contemporary case studies.

4. Undertake research from a range of sources.

5. Verbally articulate ideas about Australian Defence Policy.

A three day intensive defence short course program plus post-intensive online tasks and seminars.

To enrol in this course students must be employee of the Australian Commonwealth Department of Defence and have completed the Defence Short Course Program with the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre.

Completion of the Defence Short Course Program with the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre.

An E-brick will be provided to course members free of charge.