National security and economics are often treated as separate realms, both in policymaking and scholarship. But the early 21st century is marked by a convergence of security and economic factors in the national security challenges facing governments. This course introduces students to the intersection of security and economics, captured in the concept of ‘geoeconomics’. It focuses on the uses – and limitations – of economic relations as an instrument of state power. Students are introduced to the longstanding connection between economics and national security; basic principles of economic theory; the mechanisms/instruments of geoeconomic statecraft (such as trade, finance and institutions); contemporary geoeconomic challenges, such as economic coercion, critical infrastructure and critical technologies; and the policy challenges involved in developing national responses that integrate security and economic considerations. The course will take a global perspective, but with case studies focused on China, the Indo-Pacific and Australia.
This course combines academic expertise with insights from policy practitioners. The course convener will draw upon a research background in relevant non-security disciplines (such as economics or law) to guide students towards a more integrated understanding of security and economic issues. The course will be practically focused, integrating perspectives from the national security and economic policy domains, including input from a practitioner with recent experience in developing geoeconomic policy. In line with the National Security College's signature pedagogy, the policy practitioner will serve as a discussant to contextualise academic analysis within policy experience and advise on an in-class policy exercise and a policy-oriented assessment item.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Use concepts and frameworks to critically analyse complex and contemporary issues in geoeconomics
- Demonstrate a working understanding of policy challenges and options in integrating economics and national security
- Conduct research that demonstrates scholarly engagement with geoeconomic issues
- Develop and communicate ideas, analysis, and argument related to geoeconomics in a range of forms for professional and scholarly audiences.
Indicative Assessment
- Blog post or op-ed article (800 words) (20) [LO 1,4]
- Analytical research essay (3,000 words) (50) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Policy memo reflecting on scenario (1,500 words) (30) [LO 2,4]
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
The standard workload for a 6 unit course is 130 hours including class time and independent study.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
None
Preliminary Reading
Albert Hirschman, National Power and the Structure of Foreign Trade (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1980), chapters 1&2.
David Baldwin, Economic Statecraft (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1985), chapters 2&3.
Robert Blackwill and Jennifer Harris, War by Other Means: Geoeconomics and Statecraft (Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press, 2016), chapters 1&2.
Henry Farrell and Abraham L. Newman, ‘Weaponized Interdependence: How Global Economic Networks Shape State Coercion’, International Security, Vol 44, No. 1, 2019.
Anthea Roberts, Henrique Choer Moraes and Victor Ferguson, "Toward a Geoeconomic Order in International Trade and Investment", Journal of International Economic Law 22 (2019), 655–676
Jeffrey Wilson, "Adapting Australia to an era of geoeconomic competition", Perth USAsia Centre, 16 February 2021.
Darren J. Lim, Zack Cooper and Ashley Feng, "Trust and diversify: A geoeconomic strategy for the Australia-US alliance", United States Studies Centre, 2 September 2021.
Assumed Knowledge
Students are recommended to have taken (or take concurrently) at least one other Master of National Security Course, preferably NPO8006 (National Security Policymaking) or NSPO8007 (National Security Concepts and Methods) to provide a grounding in national security.
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:
- 14
- 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 | $4200 |
- 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.
