National Security Law is a rapidly evolving field of concern for Government, security agencies, civil rights monitors, and the Australian public. As both the nature of threats (represented by, for example, the 11 September 2001 attacks in the US, or the rise of cyber security as a major national security concern) and the concept of ‘security’ (such as biosecurity) have evolved, legal responses have similarly evolved.
As new incidents occur or challenges arise, it is often the case that legislative change is one of, if not the, preferred initial response. These changes have been broadly cast - ranging from expanded or refined operating powers and processes for national security agencies, through to the creation of new offences within the widening penumbra of criminalised conduct that surrounds demonstrably terrorist activity.
This course offers a broad brush across a number of issues concerning national security law. The course will commence with a series of building blocks (heads of power, conceptions of security, historical background). This will then allow more detailed exploration of a series of institutional issues (such as the legislative arrangements for important national security institutions, and the ‘security law’ making and monitoring process), practical issues (such as use of force, and use of classified information in prosecutions), and thematic issues (such as the national security – civil rights balancing debate).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Reflect upon and synthesise various understandings of what the concept of 'national security' means in order to formulate an understanding of this idea in an Australian context;
- Explain and reflect on the main features of the way Australian national security institutions are organised, and in particular the legal basis on which they operate;
- Critically analyse the main features of Australian national security institutions, and their legal basis
- Interpret and reflect on the main features of framework of Australian national security law, how this legal framework developed and how it currently operates;
- Respond to, or develop a research essay question that requires students to examine, and critically analyse, practical and thematic issues arising from the way in which national security institutions and laws have developed and currently operate in Australia.
Indicative Assessment
- Course Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Statutory Interpretation/Case Note Exercise (30) [LO 1,2,4]
- Research Essay (60) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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Workload
- Classes offered in non-standard sessions will be taught on an intensive base with compulsory contact hours (approximately 26 hours of face to face teaching). The course will also require advanced preparation through assigned readings. In total, it is anticipated that the hours required for completion of this course (class preparation, teaching and completion of assessment) will not exceed 120 hours.
- Classes offered during semester periods are expected to have three contact hours per week.
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Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately two weeks prior to the commencement of the course. Alternatively, this information will be published in the Program course list when known.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $4740 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $6000 |
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.
Winter Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4585 | 24 Jun 2022 | 25 Jun 2022 | 08 Jul 2022 | 20 Aug 2022 | Online | View |
