The aim of this course is to facilitate the critical analysis of a significant national security challenge affecting contemporary nation-states: the rise of propaganda, populism, and information war, especially in the digital age. Whereas scholarly debate on the root causes, main effects and desired outcomes of propaganda is extensive in the literature on political science, terrorism/counter-terrorism studies and international relations in general, propaganda and information operations are now frequently identified as a security challenge for policymakers. Hence this course draws from the interdisciplinary nature of writing on this topic in order to provide students with the conceptual and empirical knowledge to make informed policy-focused assessments and analysis of these challenges.

Traditional assessment rubrics are married to innovative approaches (asking students to identify ‘fake’ news stories and deconstruct them) in order to underscore the national security policy relevance of the material. A seminar schedule that progresses from the nature and purposes of propaganda and populism to notions of hybrid war, the security challenges posed by charismatic and divisive leaders, and group messaging in the information age will allow students to further focus their learning in respect to the topic. A selection of case studies (on the ‘alt-right’, transnational terrorism, radical protest movements and a comparative exercise on the national security challenges posed by these themes for democratic states) rounds out the course, providing the opportunity to study current and evolving events as they occur.

Seminars will be delivered by the convenor as well as NSC academic staff with research specializations in propaganda, information warfare, and cyber security. Guest lecturers from Australian government agencies responsible for monitoring propaganda and information operations (ie Attorney Generals Department, ONA) will also present their insights on the challenge of combatting foreign interference in an Australian context.

Learning Outcomes

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

On completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of concepts related to propaganda, and the ability to critically analyse them in a national security context

2. Critically evaluate contemporary local, regional, and global challenges relating to propaganda and information war

3. Critically analyse the responsiveness of security agencies to the security challenges posed by propaganda and information war

4. Conduct independent research

5. Acquire highly developed oral and written communication skills in relation to national security concepts and challenges

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	20 November (Wed) Propaganda: Definitions and Frameworks
2	22 November (Fri) Hybrid Warfare and PsyOps
3	25 November (Mon) Foreign Electoral Interference
4	27 November (Wed) Fake News and Conspiracy Theories	Assessment Task 1: Disinformation Exercise Due date: 28 Nov 2019, 11:55 pm on Wattle
5	29 November (Fri) Populism & the Media Ecosystem
6	2 December (Mon) Ethical Issues in Countering Propaganda and InfoWarfare
7	4 December (Wed) Computational Propaganda: Rise of the Bots and Trolls
8	6 December (Fri) Presentations	Assessment Task 2: Policy Presentation Due date: 6 December 2019, in class
9		Assessment Task 3: Final Essay Due date: 6 January 2020, 11:55pm on Wattle

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Disinformation Exercise	30 %	28/11/2019	05/12/2019	1, 4
Policy Presentation	35 %	06/12/2019	20/12/2019	2, 3, 4
Final Essay	35 %	06/01/2020	06/02/2020	2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Disinformation Exercise

In this assessment, students will locate, deconstruct and track an influential piece of disinformation. Instructions will be provided the day of class.

Word Count: Approximately 1,500-2,000 words (excluding the reference list). 

Assessment Task 2

Policy Presentation

In this assessment, students will produce a policy recommendation for the Australian government to address disinformation campaigns (broadly defined). As part of the 15 min presentation on the chosen issue and recommendation, students will create a Public Information Campaign (print ad or video) to persuade the general public of the merits of their recommendation. Some class time will be set aside to work on this project. Presentations are held the last class, 6 December 9am-12.

For more information on public information campaigns (PICs), see Janet A. Weiss and Mary Tschirhart, “Public Information Campaigns as Policy Instruments” Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 13, 1 (Winter 1994): 82-119.

Assessment Task 3

Final Essay

In lieu of an exam, the final essay tests students’ understanding of the major concepts and issues covered throughout the course. A list of essay questions will be distributed the final week of class. The final paper can be submitted anytime between 6 December 2019- 6 January 2020.

Word Count: 3,000 words (excluding the reference list).

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students