This course presents a comprehensive introduction to Australia's current strategic environment including the South West Pacific, South East Asia and North East Asia, Middle East and the global international system.  This course closely links to STST8100 Australian Foreign and Defence Policy, as it sets past, present and future Australian policy into its historical and regional context.

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

1.  Describe and clearly identify the various regions and sub-regions that collectively constitute Australia’s strategic environment.
2. Analyse the factors – historical, geostrategic, economic, political, cultural and military – shaping Australia’s strategic circumstances.
3. Identify and analyse the primary sources of stability and instability in Australia’s strategic environment.
4. Evaluate and be able to explain the strategic options available to Australia in responding to its strategic environment.
5. Explain and evaluate the implications of the strategic choices Australia makes in responding to its strategic environment.

Demonstrate the capacity to communicate effectively – both verbally and in written form – on the subject of Australia’s strategic environment.

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.