• Offered by ANU National Security College
  • ANU College ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
  • Course subject National Security Policy
  • Academic career PGRD
  • Course convener
    • Prof Roger Bradbury
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Offered in Second Semester 2018
    See Future Offerings

The course examines the evolution of cyberspace as a domain where states project both hard and soft power and how states are adapting to the threats and opportunities of this new domain. It examines how cyberspace interacts with the traditional domains of land, sea, air and space in which statecraft is prosecuted. And it explores the future of cyberspace and its potential to disrupt ideas of sovereignty and national security. The course takes a highly interdisciplinary approach under a complex systems chapeau and includes humanities, social sciences and natural sciences perspectives.

Learning Outcomes

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

On successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Evaluate the dynamics of cyberspace as a complex adaptive system
2. Synthesise a body of knowledge of state interactions in cyberspace and their impact on national security
3. Analyse the technical, social and political drivers of cyberpower
4. Demonstrate a good understanding of the interaction of these drivers and the emergence of current cyberspace dynamics through the application of theoretical constructs to practical case studies
5. Demonstrate a sophisticated appreciation of the emerging forces shaping the future of state interactions in cyberspace through written and oral work
6. Demonstrate an enhanced capacity to conduct independent research through written and oral work

Indicative Assessment

Preliminary essay (1000 words) 20%
Research essay (3000 words) 50%
Take-home exam (2000 words) 30%

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

One two-hour seminar per week (over 13 weeks) with the expectation of a further eight hours per week of independent study

Prescribed Texts

Lindsay JR (2013) Stuxnet and the limits of cyber warfare. Security Studies 22:365-404
Nye JS (2014) The regime complex for managing global cyber activities, Global Commission on Internet Governance
Vaishnav C, Choucri N, Clark D (2013) Cyber international relations as an integrated system. Environment Systems and Decisions 33:561–576
Langø H-I (2013) The limits of compulsory cyber power: Assessing ecological potential and restraints in the digital domain, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), Oslo
Kello L (2013) The meaning of the cyber revolution. International Security 38:7-40
Gray CS (2013) Making strategic sense of cyber power: Why the sky is not falling, Strategic Studies Institute, Carlisle, PA
Clemente D (2013) Cyber security and global interdependence: What is critical?, Chatham House, London
Choucri N, Clark DD (2013) Who controls cyberspace? Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 69:21-31
Cornish P (2011) The vulnerabilities of developed states to economic cyber warfare, Chatham House, London

Preliminary Reading

Waters G, Ball D, Dudgeon I (2008) Australia and cyber-warfare. ANU E Press, Canberra
Kramer FD, Starr SH, Wentz LK (eds) (2009) Cyberpower and national security. National Defense University Press, Washington DC
Nye JS (2011) The future of power. Public Affairs, New York, p 322
Libicki MC (2012) Crisis and escalation in cyberspace. RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA

Assumed Knowledge

Assumed knowledge: Students enrolled in this course are assumed to have some knowledge of international politics and current affairs
Required skills: Analytical skills and written and oral communication skills of a high order.
Recommended courses: National Security Policy-making (NSPO8006) and National Security Concepts and Challenges (NSPO8007)

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. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.

Student Contribution Band:
1
Unit value:
6 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
6.00 0.12500
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee
2018 $3660
International fee paying students
Year Fee
2018 $5160
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

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.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
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
8730 23 Jul 2018 30 Jul 2018 31 Aug 2018 26 Oct 2018 In Person N/A

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions