Why do nations engage in international conflicts that are often costly and catastrophic? And what can be done to avoid these? This course dives into the complex factors that have fuelled wars throughout history and continue to threaten international security today. Through a blend of theoretical insights and in-depth historical case studies, students will explore the multifaceted causes of international conflicts, from geopolitical tensions and resource scarcity to ideological clashes and beyond. Each week, we will unravel a different theoretical perspective on the origins of international conflict, illuminated by an in-depth case study examination of an international conflict (or major crisis averted short of war). The course is designed to be highly interactive. Students will immerse themselves in simulations that replicate real international crises, engage in debates that challenge their perspectives, and participate in exercises that foster critical thinking and policy analysis skills. This practical approach ensures that theoretical and historical knowledge is each week applied to a contemporary challenge, preparing students for international security career paths.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand and explain the main theories and concepts regarding the causes and avoidance of international conflict.
- Demonstrate an historical knowledge of the causes and avoidance of international conflict.
- Apply this theoretical and historical knowledge in the 'real-world' of international security, critically reflecting upon its policy relevance and applicability.
- Demonstrate strong research and critical thinking skills by considering a diverse range of worldviews and reflecting upon their relevance to the causation and avoidance of international conflict.
- Communicate clearly and with influence in a variety of forms - both written and verbal - for academic and policy audiences.
- Demonstrate teamwork and interpersonal skills appropriate to professional and academic settings.
Indicative Assessment
- Essay outline and annotated bibliography (1000 words) (20) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Research essay (3000 words) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Policy analysis (2000) words) (30) [LO 3,4,5,6]
- Participation (10) [LO 2,3,5,6]
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
This course comprises some 130 hours of activity over 12 weeks, including some 24 hours of lectures or an equivalent activity and some 12 hours of tutorials or equivalent activity. The course comprises a maximum of 6,000 words of assessment or the equivalent. Please note that this is a general guide, averaged over the semester and the final hours ultimately depend on the individual student's ability in reading and writing.
Prescribed Texts
None.
Preliminary Reading
Graham Allison, Destined for War: Can America and China escape Thucydides Trap? (Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017).
Coral Bell, The Conventions of Crisis: A study in Diplomatic Management (London, Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press for the Royal Institute of International Affairs, 1971).
Geoffrey Blainey, The Causes of War (New York: The Free Press, 1973).
Christopher M. Clark, The Sleepwalkers: how Europe went to war in 1914 (New York: Harper, 2013).
Fiona Cunningham and M. Taylor Fravel, 'Dangerous Confidence? Chinese views on nuclear escalation', International Security, vol.44, no.2, Fall 2019, pp.61-109.
James D. Fearon, 'Rationalist explanations for war', International Organisation, vol.49, no.3, Summer 1995, pp.379-414.
Rebecca Hersman, 'Wormhole Escalation in the Nuclear Age', Texas National Security Review, vol.3, issue 3, Autumn 2020, pp.91-109.
Donald Kagan, On the Origins of War (New York: Doubleday, 1995).
Margaret MacMillan, The War that ended Peace: How Europe abandoned peace for the First World War (London: Profile, 2013).
Oriana Skylar Mastro, 'The Next Flashpoint? China, the Republic of Korea, and the Yellow Sea', Asia Policy, vol.18, issue 1, January 2023, pp.67-93.
Joseph S. Nye Jr. and David A Welch, Understanding Global Conflict & Cooperation: Intro to Theory & History (Essex: Pearson Education Limited, 2014).
Kevin Rudd, The Avoidable War: The dangers of a catastrophic conflict between the US and Xi Jinping's China (Sydney, NSW: Hachette Australia, 2022).
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 |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6360 |
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.