This core course aims to introduce students to the key concepts, debates and trade-offs that surround the concept of national security, as well as the major threats, vulnerabilities and policy responses. At the philosophical core of the subject is the belief that national security is, in the words of Arnold Wolfers, an “ambiguous symbol” - a set of concepts that are attended by great intellectual and political contestation, and which evolve over time. The objective of this course is to assist each student to arrive at an independent and intellectually rigorous definition of national security, and its attendant threats, vulnerabilities and policy responses.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Critically analyse Australia’s national security community
- Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues concerning the national security community
- Analyse concepts related to planning and implementation in a national security context
- Understand aspects of professional practice within national security agencies
- Conduct independent research
- Acquire highly developed oral and written communication skills
Indicative Assessment
Assessment Task | Word Count | Assessment Value | Learning outcome to be assessed |
Short Essay | 2,500 | 40% | 3,4,6 |
Longer Essay | 3,500 | 60% | 1,2,5,6 |
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
Course reading list and guide to library resources.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $3420 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $4878 |
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.