On-campus & remote (online) learning available. Students participate in interactive, real-time classes. 2026 class dates:
The COVID-19 pandemic was a major reminder of how health threats and shocks can disrupt economies, societies, critical infrastructure, international relations and defence capabilities. Conversely, geopolitical competition, armed conflict, climate change, technological disruption and other security challenges can profoundly affect population health and health systems.
The links between health and national security are increasingly recognised. This course examines this evolving relationship and its implications for policy and practice across diverse sectors, including health, defence and security, international relations, and public policy. Students will explore contemporary health and security challenges from human security and systems perspectives, examine the capabilities required to anticipate, prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from them, and consider the roles of governments, communities and international actors. The course critically examines both the opportunities and risks of framing human health within a security context and considers how interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches can strengthen national and regional resilience.
Course activities and assessment tasks are designed to encourage critical engagement with this contemporary policy and public health challenge and to promote systems thinking. The course draws on Australian, regional and global examples, as well as insights from policy practitioners with first-hand experience across these domains.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Assess the relationship between health and national security, including key concepts and frameworks that shape this relationship.
- Apply systems thinking and systems mapping tools, drawing on interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives, to analyse complex health and national security challenges and identify opportunities for effective action.
- Critically analyse policy and governance responses to health and national security challenges, including the roles and interactions of different actors and sectors.
Indicative Assessment
- Knowledge and concepts test (500 words) (20) [LO 1,2]
- Applied policy analysis (1,000 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3]
- Systems analysis and policy argument (1,500 words) (50) [LO 1,2,3]
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The standard workload for a 3 unit course is 65 hours including class time and independent study.
Inherent Requirements
n/a
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
A list of readings will be provided in lieu of a prescribed text
Preliminary Reading
A list of readings will be provided prior to the commencement of the course.
Assumed Knowledge
nil
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 3 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 3.00 | 0.06250 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $2520 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $3600 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Summer Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On Campus | ||||||
| 1858 | 08 Feb 2027 | 07 Feb 2027 | 19 Feb 2027 | 18 Mar 2027 | In Person | N/A |
| Online | ||||||
| 1859 | 08 Feb 2027 | 07 Feb 2027 | 19 Feb 2027 | 18 Mar 2027 | Online | N/A |