This course explores how Australia develops and uses its armed forces to achieve political ends such as the protection of citizens and territory and the reduction of strategic risk. The course examines the key ideas Australians have used and applied to help them organise and achieve their strategic and defence policies. This includes the Balance of Power, Sphere of Influence, Deterrence, Collective Security and Grand Strategy. This course traces how these ideas have shaped and should shape the three major military services (Army, Airforce, Navy), along with the management structures and processes that administer them. This course asks questions such as what role does armed force play in Australia's security?  What kinds of operations do our armed forces need to be to undertake to achieve this role? And which capabilities can undertake these operations most cost-effectively? This course enables students to understand the key historical eras, theories and debates about Australian Strategic and Defence Policy and develop the skills to begin to contribute to public debates on these topics.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key historical eras in Australian Strategic and Defence Policy
2. Apply theories and concepts from the discipline of Strategic Studies to assess the development and practice of Australian Strategic and Defence Policy
3. Understand academic and policy debates about the direction of Australian Strategic and Defence Policy
4. Develop and apply analytical skills to critically assess the key historical eras, theories and debates of Australian Strategic and Defence Policy
5. Possess increased capacity for original, independent thought about historical and contemporary Australian Strategic and Defence Policy

Research-Led Teaching

None

Field Trips

None

Additional Course Costs

None

Examination Material or equipment

N/A

Required Resources

No Resources are required for this unit.

Recommended Resources

Please read the 2024 National Defence Strategy prior to the course, we will be exploring and consulting it regularly in class:

https://www.defence.gov.au/about/strategic-planning/2024-national-defence-strategy-2024-integrated-investment-program

Reading these books is not necessary, however would be highly valuable for your study, either before or during the semester:

Stephan Frühling - A History of Australian Strategic Policy since 1945 (Selection of Australia's pre-White Paper classified strategic documents, each with an illuminating essay. A Free PDF download and a fantastic resource).

Peter Dean, Brendan Taylor and Stephan Frühling (Eds.) Australia's Defence - Towards a New Era? (Edited book with chapters covering key issues of Australian defence issues, from 2014 though still highly relevant conceptually).

Joanne Wallis - Pacific Power? Australia’s strategy in the Pacific Islands (Excellent account of Australia's approach to the Pacific up to 2017).

Frank Bongiorno - Dreamers and Schemers: A Political History of Australia (Outstanding new history of Australian politics from the Colonial era to today)

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	Strategy (23 July)
2	Sphere of Influence (30 July)
3	Balance of Power (06 August)
4	Collective Security (13 August)
5	Deterrence (20 August)	Short Essay assignment due 27 August.
6	Jointery (27 August)	Online Exam 1 held this week
7	Geo Economics (17 September)
8	Capability Edge (24 September)	Research Essay due 24 September
9	Self-Reliance (01 October)
10	Sovereignty (8 October)
11	Grand Strategy (15 October)
12	No class	Online Exam 2 held this week

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Short Essay	30 %	2, 4, 5
Research Essay	40 %	1, 2, 4, 5
In-Class Debate	10 %	1, 2, 3 4
2 x Online Exams	10 %	1, 2, 3, 4
Class Participation	10 %	4, 5

* 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.

Participation

Participation: Attendance and contribution to class discussions will be assessed, including contribution to the Week 10 Class Exercise.

Worth 10%

Examination(s)

The 2 exams will be held online in Week 6 & 11. See Assessment item 4 for details.

Assessment Task 1

Short Essay

Write a Short Biographical Essay on a Prominent Australian Strategist or Policymaker

Worth: 30%

Length: 1500 words (10% +/- allowed)

Due 27 August, 11:55pm

Purpose: You are required to write an a short biographical essay on a prominent Australian strategist or policymaker focusing on their contribution to the development of Australian strategic and defence policy.

 

Full Guidance on how to write a Net Assessment will be provided in the Week 1 class.

Assessment Task 2

Research Essay

Research Essay on Australian Strategic & Defence Policy

Length: 3000 words (10% +/- allowed))

Worth: 40%

Due: 11:55pm Sunday 24 September

Must be uploaded in .doc or .pdf format.

This is the major assignment of the course.

The Essay question will be provided in Week 1.

You may reference in any of the major styles. Consistency and accuracy of referencing is an important part of your final grade.

Assessment Task 3

In-Class Debate

In Class Debate

Worth 10%

Students will be assigned to one of 4 debates to be held across the course. Debates will involve two teams of 3-5 people.

Each student will present for 5 minutes and be individually assessed on their presentation and participation.

Further guidance, debate topics and allocations will be provided in Week 1

Assessment Task 4

2 x Online Exams

Two Online Exams - In Week 6 & 11

This course will have 2 x online exams. These will be held in Week 6 and Week 11.

(Exam 1 - Covers material from Weeks 1-5; Exam 2 - Covers material from Week 6-10)

The online exams involve 10 x short answer questions. You will have 1 hour to complete the exam online, at any time during a 1 week period.

Full dates, timing and further guidance will be provided in Week 1.

Assessment Task 5

Class Participation

Participation in Class

Participation: Attendance and contribution to class discussions will be assessed, including contribution to the Week 10 Class Exercise.

Worth 10%

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. OR 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 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