This course presents a comprehensive introduction to Australia’s foreign and defence policies, and the ideas, events and circumstances that shape them.  It aims to provide students with the concepts, ideas and information to understand and analyse how foreign and defence policies have developed in Australia, the key domestic and international debates about the formulation of foreign and defence policy, and the issues shaping  the development and implementation of these policies today. Specific content will include: The concept of foreign and defence policies, as distinct from strategic policy. The development of the key institutions such as the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The debates over expeditionary versus defence of Australia approaches to defence policy, the debates over middle power, engagement, alliance and independence in foreign policy. The role of diplomacy and economic relationships in international affairs and the history of Australia’s changing relationship with its region.

This course is only open to students posted to the Australian Command Staff College.

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

1. Describe and identify the major concepts underlying Australian foreign and defence policy.

2. Critically analyse the development of foreign and defence policies and identify the key concepts such as middle power, expeditionary, defence of Australia, engagement, alliance and independence.

3. Analyse the historical development of Australia’s foreign and defence policies and how this history shapes and informs contemporary policy choices.

4. Describe and analyse contemporary debates about the current and future Australian foreign and defence policies, their public and political appeal, and regional reactions.

5. Conduct research and develop policy arguments on key issues of foreign and defence policy. 

6. Demonstrate effective communications skills.

Short Assignment (20%), Essay (40%), Examination (40%)

Teaching will occur intensively across approximately 10 working days.  Assessment is scheduled during and after the teaching period as part of the overall program timetabling.

Students can only enrol in this course if enrolled in one of the following programs: 
 
6829XGCMDS
6828XGDMDS
7829XMMDS
7828XMMDSA

None

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