This course analyses key concepts and developments in contemporary global security. It begins with an investigation of different theoretical approaches to the study of global security and moves on to three substantial sections. The first section examines the nature of US primacy and its prospects, the rise of new great powers and the possible consequences of these power transitions, and the relationships between democracy, democratization and global security. The second section looks at four security challenges: the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and delivery systems, the rise of jihadi terrorism, the problems posed by cybersecurity and cyberwar, and the challenges of environmental security. The final section explores three responses to contemporary global security problems: the revolution in military affairs and the transformation of war, humanitarian intervention and the doctrine of Responsibility to Protect (R2P), and the privatization of security.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On completion of this course, students should be able to:
- Analyse current events in the global political economy with a historically informed and analytically rigorous approach.
- Write concise analyses (such as a newspaper commentary, policy statement, or short paper) on how domestic and international politics influence international trade, finance, and production.
- Identify the key elements of a complex case (such as whether a company should engage in a trade dispute via the WTO or how policymakers should respond to a financial crisis) and offer a convincing argument about which policy option to pursue.
Other Information
Delivery Mode:
Semester 2 2013. The course is conducted through seminars with an emphasis on interactive teaching aimed at engaging all students in active participation.
Indicative Assessment
The course has three pieces of assessment:
- Mid-semester test.
- Major essay (5000 words): a long research paper that gives students the opportunity to explore in detail a theory or theoretical issue that particularly interests them.
- Final exam (three hours): a major examination sat under formal exam conditions.
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
12 hours per week: two for seminar attendance, and ten for reading and writing. Please note this is a general guide, averaged over the semester and the final hours ultimately depend on the individual's ability in reading and writing.
Prescribed Texts
There is no prescribed textbook for the course.
Preliminary Reading
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 12 units
If you are an undergraduate student and 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). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 12.00 | 0.25000 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $3852 | |
| 2014 | $5616 | |
| 2013 | $5616 | |
| 2012 | $5616 | |
| 2011 | $5556 | |
| 2010 | $5436 | |
| 2009 | $5340 | |
| 2008 | $5184 | |
| 2007 | $5040 | |
| 2006 | $4380 | |
| 2005 | $4380 | |
| 2004 | $3852 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $7416 |
| 2014 | $7884 |
| 2013 | $7884 |
| 2012 | $7884 |
| 2011 | $7884 |
| 2010 | $7884 |
| 2009 | $7632 |
| 2008 | $7632 |
| 2007 | $7632 |
| 2006 | $7632 |
| 2005 | $7416 |
| 2004 | $7416 |
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.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7796 | 21 Jul 2014 | 08 Aug 2014 | 31 Aug 2014 | 30 Oct 2014 | In Person | N/A |
