The 2020s have seen the rise of numerous strategic problems for Australia. There are giant states in fierce competition, such as the United States and China, and emerging giants in India and Indonesia. There are also problems from below, such as climate change, artificial intelligence, cyber security, and terrorism. This course examines the security challenges facing Australia and explores how Australia should approach its region. This course is designed with a focus on active and authentic classroom experiences, with a heavy emphasis on simulation exercises that replicate real world problem solving. The course will thus help any students wishing to understand how the Australian government pursues national security, whether they are seeking a future career in government, or to contribute analysis to policy and public debates about how Australia should seek its security in a contested Asia.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand the range of national security challenges confronting Australia in the 21st Century and the way they relate to each other and Australia's strategic environment.
2. Apply analytical frameworks and tools to better understand the complexities of the national security challenges confronting Australia and its neighbours.
3. Articulate the role and nature of policy advice and develop creative proposals both individually and as part of a team
4. Explore the contribution of Australia's First Nations people to Australian security, from the historical legacy of the Frontier Wars, through to the rise of Indigenous Diplomacy initiatives.
5. Clearly and confidently articulate their ideas regarding Australia's national security in verbal as well as written form.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Australia's Security: Problems and Concepts
2	From the 'Asian Century' to the Indo-Pacific and 'Living with Giants'
3	History of Australia's Security Policy
4	Major Power Politics: Australia's Relations with the U.S. and China
5	Oceania: the South Pacific
6	Southeast Asia / Indonesia
7	Indian Ocean and Antarctica
8	Regional players and institutions in the Indo-Pacific
9	Economic Security and Environmental Challenges
10	Structure and Role of the ADF / Australia's Defence Capabilities
11	Emerging Technologies and New Frontiers in Australia's Grand Strategy
12	The Future of Australia's Security and Australia-Japan Relations

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Historical Document Analysis (1,000 words) - 20%	20 %	22/10/2026	06/11/2026	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
SWOT Presentation (Group Assessment) - 20%	20 %	*	*	1, 3, 5
Policy Recommendation Brief - 30%	30 %	*	*	1, 4, 5
Reflection Essay - 20%	20 %	08/01/2027	*	1, 2, 4, 5
Course engagement (tutorial participation) - 10%	10 %	*	*	1 ,2, 3, 5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Historical Document Analysis (1,000 words) - 20%

Due: 22 October, 18:00 (JST) 

Students are required to conduct a comparative analysis of two documents. The comparative analysis should address how Australia conceived of its position in the region and the world, what threats and risks to Australia's security the government identified, and how it sought to address these, and from this identify enduring factors in Australia's security policy. Grade and feedback will be provided to all students by the census date.

Assessment Task 2

SWOT Presentation (Group Assessment) - 20%

Starting from week 2, the group presentation in pairs consists of a 15–20-minute presentation on the Strengths / Weaknesses / Threats / Opportunities (SWOT) for Australian security policy in relation to a specific region or country. Feedback will be provided in one week's time. This presentation will be recorded to ensure it can be independently re-marked. 

Assessment Task 3

Policy Recommendation Brief - 30%

The policy recommendation brief builds on students' work for the group presentation but is an individual assignment. Due date: two weeks after the group presentation. Students will summarise two of the main risks or threats that were identified during the group SWOT process. They will need to argue why these two are the most important ones to prioritize for the Australian Government, using a risk matrix, and provide recommendations for Australian policy on how they can best be managed to protect Australia’s security, while also promoting a favourable international environment for Australia.

Assessment Task 4

Reflection Essay - 20%

Due date: 8 January 2027, 18:00 (JST).

This assessment piece will consist of three questions. Students need to answer all three questions. All of them are of equal value. All questions should be answered in form of a short essay, i.e. with introduction, main text, and conclusion. About 500 words per question will be appropriate for an essay of such a length, making the total volume 1500 words.

Assessment Task 5

Course engagement (tutorial participation) - 10%

Students will be assessed on the quality of their contribution to discussion and debate within tutorials. Students should ensure that they complete the assigned readings before their tutorial, attend the tutorial in which they are enrolled, and participate in class discussion. 

Participation Alternative

250-word critical reflection for each tutorial missed.

Submission due date: 17:00 (JST) Friday each week. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students