• Class Number 6599
  • Term Code 3170
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Dr Christopher Hobson
  • LECTURER
    • Dr Christopher Hobson
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 27/09/2021
  • Class End Date 29/01/2022
  • Census Date 22/10/2021
  • Last Date to Enrol 22/10/2021
SELT Survey Results

This course seeks to understand peace and conflict by asking big questions about violence and confrontation in human societies. Students are introduced to the global wars which shape history on grand scales and to the local conflicts that persist in the background. We want to know: Why do we fight? What is conflict? Is conflict sometimes good? Who are insurgents? What is terrorism? How do we maintain memories of conflict? Is future conflict inevitable? We explore big questions through political science, strategic studies, international relations, anthropology, history, law, gender studies and psychology lenses. These specific disciplinary orientations, infused by insights from Asian and European traditions of thought, offer their own answers in the study of peace and conflict. Our approach in this course is integrative, interrogative and critical. We analyse the causes of war and conflict; the nature of security and strategic decision-making; the political drivers of international and sub-national conflicts; the use of technologies and tactics; and the public presentation of war and conflict. The regional orientation of this course—reflecting the Australian National University's strengths—is the Asia-Pacific region. The questions that we examine find some of their answers in East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. To provide students with a robust foundation for further study, this course draws on the range of expertise that makes ANU the hub for the critical analysis of the big questions concerning war and conflict. It is appropriate for those who wish to develop knowledge of specific situations of peace and conflict, as well as for students who hope for a broad overview of the topic.
This course will be taught in Japan (in English) as part of the Bachelor of Asia Pacific Affairs.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Broad knowledge of conflict and war, and the conceptual foundations for understanding the mechanisms that drive these components of human societies, with particular reference to the Asia-Pacific region.
  2. Understanding of the general character of war and conflict at particular times and places, and the specific political, cultural, legal and historical mechanisms relevant to those situations.
  3. Refined their personal interests and expertise in the field of war and conflict studies, and be able to clearly and persuasively showcase their knowledge by completing original research.
  4. Offered contributions to tutorials and to online debate which demonstrate their ability to effectively communicate ideas about war and conflict at both global and local scales, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.

Staff Feedback

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

  • written comments
  • verbal comments
  • feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

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 Introduction
2 Peace
3 War
4 Violence
5 Gender
6 Economy
7 Environment
8 Movement
9 Evil
10 Reconciliation
11 Pacifism
12 Conclusion

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial registration is completed via Wattle page.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value
Weekly comment (1,000 words) 20 %
Response paper (1,000 words) 20 %
Case study (1,500 words) 30 %
Course review (1,500 words) 30 %

* 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:

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 Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

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

Value: 20 %
Learning Outcomes: 

Weekly comment (1,000 words)

Assessment Task 2

Value: 20 %
Learning Outcomes: 

Response paper (1,000 words)

Assessment Task 3

Value: 30 %
Learning Outcomes: 

Case study (1,500 words)

Assessment Task 4

Value: 30 %
Learning Outcomes: 

Course review (1,500 words)

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.


The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to 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 be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, 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 Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

  • Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
  • Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

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. Extensions may be granted 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).

Dr Christopher Hobson
u4119018@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Christopher Hobson

By Appointment
Dr Christopher Hobson
u4119018@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Christopher Hobson

By Appointment

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