In this course we will study the politics of the possession, management, and control of the most destructive weapon ever created. We will analyse the history and current policies of the states that possess nuclear weapons, as well as “threshold” states that maintain some ability to acquire a nuclear capability. We will examine the attempts to control the spread of these weapons, successful and otherwise, and even examples of states giving up nuclear capabilities. The course will also explore contemporary trends in technological developments that have an impact on nuclear balances, the links between the civilian nuclear industry and weapons programmes, and the illicit or ‘blackmarket’ trade in nuclear materials.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Conduct historically-informed analysis of the different nuclear postures of those states that possess nuclear weapons.
2. Critically examine how policymakers might be influenced by incentives and disincentives for both proliferation and nonproliferation.
3. Dissect debates surrounding nuclear arms control and disarmament including the contemporary and likely future prospects for both.
4. Make informed arguments about the best ways to use policy to reduce nuclear proliferation and encourage nuclear restraint.
5. Analyse, and make informed arguments about, the role of new technological developments in challenging the existing global nuclear order.
6. Develop the capacity to present strong arguments in their written and oral work and to link relevant concepts to actual practice skills (as developed through written assessments, in-class discussions and tutorial-based activities).

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Nuclear origins
2	Nuclear development
3	The legacy of war
4	Deterrence politics
5	Arms control & disarmament	Essay or creative project
6	The politics of nuclear states
7	Legacies of nuclear testing
8	Non-proliferation
9	Australia's Nuclear Dilemmas: Weapons, Power, and Submarines	Presentations
10	Nuclear energy & risks
11	Nuclear mining & waste
12	Memories of nuclear warfare	Exam

Tutorial Registration

Tutorials will be scheduled after lectures

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Annotated bibliography - 20%	20 %	25/09/2026	1,2,3,4,5,6
Essay or creative project - 30%	30 %	14/09/2026	3, 6
Presentation 20%	20 %	18/09/2026	1, 2, 6
Exam - 30%	30 %	24/09/2026	1, 2, 4, 5, 6

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills website. 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 ‘Canvas’ 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

Annotated bibliography - 20%

For each topic, students will be asked to choose one assigned reading—this may include a written text, video, or documentary—and create an annotated bibliography entry for it. They will complete 12 entries in total, one for each topic. The annotation should briefly summarize the source, explain its key arguments or themes, and reflect on its relevance to the topic and to your own learning. Aim for thoughtful, concise analysis that demonstrates genuine engagement with the material. The first three annotated bibliographies will be due on 7 September (feedback returned by 9 September), the second three on 11 September, and the final six on 25th September.

Assessment Task 2

Essay or creative project - 30%

Students will write a 2,000-word essay on one of the set topics, developing a clear argument supported by relevant readings, lectures, and discussions. Students will also be given the option to submit a creative piece—such as a video, musical composition, sculpture, or drawing—in lieu of the essay. Creative submissions must be uploaded to Canvas in an appropriate digital format (for example, a photo, animation, or audio file) and must be accompanied by a 500-word reflective statement explaining how your piece engages with and represents the chosen topic. Both options should demonstrate thoughtful engagement, critical insight, and a strong connection to the themes of the course. The ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s Word Length and Excess Word Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item and can be found here.

Assessment Task 3

Presentation 20%

Students will deliver a 20-minute verbal presentation on the nuclear politics of a specific state assigned to them in class. The presentation should outline the state’s historical, strategic, and geopolitical relationship to nuclear weapons, as well as examine how other countries respond to, engage with, or attempt to influence that state’s nuclear behaviour. Students are expected to explain the key factors shaping the state’s nuclear posture, assess its regional and global implications, and analyse the diplomatic, security, and strategic dynamics that arise in its interactions with other states. The presentation should be clear, well-structured, and analytically grounded, demonstrating the student’s ability to communicate complex political issues with confidence and insight.

Assessment Task 4

Exam - 30%

The final written exam will be held in person and will run for 95 minutes. It is divided into two parts. Part A consists of multiple-choice questions and short-answer responses designed to assess students’ understanding of the core concepts, theories, and case studies covered throughout the course. Part B requires a long-form written response in which students apply and synthesise their learning, drawing connections across topics and demonstrating their ability to integrate ideas into a coherent, well-reasoned argument. This structure is intended to evaluate both foundational knowledge and higher-order analytical skills.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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

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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

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).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students