The Asia-Pacific region is changing rapidly as result of economic development, political change, and shifting international alignments. In many ways, it is the most dynamic region in the world. In this context, it is not enough for policy makers and policy advocates to understand where the region stands today. It is also vital for us to think deeply and systematically about where the region is headed tomorrow - whether the question is economic growth, environmental quality, or military conflict - even as we recognize that our ability to predict the future is limited.
This course will equip students to grapple with the challenge of making policy in a rapidly changing region by introducing them to a few key tools. It will introduce students to the study of international relations, focusing on a select number of trends that are recognized as particularly important drivers of international change. In addition, it will introduce students to the concept and practice of scenario development, a technique used widely in both the private and the public sector as a means of thinking about and preparing for the future. Students will draw on both of these tools to develop scenarios that depict key aspects of the future in the Asia-Pacific region, building on course material and on their own expertise and research. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze international developments in their areas of interest and to advocate new policies based on their analysis.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
After successfully completing this course, students will be able to:1) Demonstrate familiarity with a variety of different drivers of international change and how they shape shape international relations;
2) generate scenarios for some international problem or relationship in the Asia-Pacific
region (broadly defined);
3) analyze international developments related to the scenarios that they generate;
4) distill the implications of their scenarios for a national government of their choice;
5) convey their analysis effectively through written communication.
Indicative Assessment
1) Three reading response papers (500 words each) (30%)2) Focal question (1%)
3) Topic paper (1000 words) (19%)
4) Final paper (3500 words) (50%)
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
Total of 30 contact hours of classroom time, with 30 additional hours of required reading expected over the semester, as well as independent research for the three papers.
Prescribed Texts
A reading brick will be made available to students enrolled in the course.
Preliminary Reading
US National Intelligence Council, Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds (Washington, DC: US GPO, 2012).
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 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $3762 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $4566 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9680 | 24 Jul 2017 | 31 Jul 2017 | 31 Aug 2017 | 27 Oct 2017 | In Person | N/A |
