Crises are endemic to national security policymaking. The modern era is punctuated by crises emanating from the natural geopolitical and social worlds that threaten local, national and international security. This course considers this backdrop of threats alongside changing notions of ‘threat’, ‘risk’ and ‘crisis’ and challenges participants to determine how leadership and policymaking can reconcile the competing imperatives of national security and the public interest in the midst of crisis. This course introduces students to this important and challenging field through: (1) exploration of definitions and theories of national security and approaches to leadership, risk assessment/mitigation, resilience and crisis management; and (2) the application of this conceptual material to empirical cases of domestic, international and transnational crises. Conceptual approaches are complemented by insights from policy practitioners with extensive experience of leadership and crisis response.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Understand concepts related to leadership, crisis, resilience and risk.
2. Evaluate historical and contemporary approaches to managing national security risks and crises, including the role of leadership.
3. Apply concepts of risk and crisis management within the scholarly literature to the analysis of contemporary/future national security challenges and formulation of policy responses.
4. Conduct independent research that demonstrates both scholarly and policy-focused engagement with the subject matter.
5. Communicate ideas, analysis and argument for scholarly and professional audiences, with effective use of terminology related to crisis response and risk management.

Research-Led Teaching

Crises are endemic to national security policy-making. The national and international systems are frequently shaken by crises emanating from the social and natural worlds that affect all dimensions of security. This course analyses changing notions of ‘risk’, ‘resilience' and ‘crisis’ and challenges participants to consider the role of leadership in reconciling competing interests, mobilising capabilities, and achieving durable security outcomes. This course introduces students to this practical and challenging field of security studies through: (1) exploration of concepts and theories of risk, resilience, crisis management, and leadership; (2) the application of this conceptual material to empirical cases of domestic, international and transnational crises; and 3) the opportunity to apply learning in a practical exercise at the end of the semester.

Recommended Resources

Indicative reading list (weekly reading list and PDFs of required readings will be posted to the course Canvas site). There is no single set text.

Students are encouraged to read widely, including taking a specialised interest in reading biographical/autobiographical and contemporary accounts of at least one leader of their choice.

Demarais, A, ‘What does “de-risking” actually mean?’, Foreign Policy, 23 August 2023

Northouse, Peter G, Leadership: Theory and Practice, 9th edition (Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, 2022), Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8.

Day, David, John Curtin: A Life, (Sydney: Harper Collins, 1999).

Howard, John, Lazarus Rising: A Personal and Political Autobiography, (Sydney: Harper Collins, 2010).

Greenstein, Fred I, The Presidential Difference: Leadership Style from FDR to Barack Obama, 3rd ed. (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006).

Ho Khai Leong, ‘Prime Ministerial Leadership and Policymaking Style in Singapore: Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tonh Compared,’ Asian Journal of Political Science 8, no. 1. (2000): 91-123.

Kim, Choong Nam, ‘Leadership for Nation Building: The case of Korean Presidents,’ International Journal of Korean Studies 11, no. 1 (2007): 113-143.

Meinander, Henrik, Mannerheim, Marshall of Finland: A Life in Geopolitics, (London: Hurst, 2023).

Medzini, Meron, Golda Meir: A Political Biography, (Boston/Berlin: De Gruyter, 2017).

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class and/or 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.

Other Information

CRAWFORD ACADEMIC SKILLS

The Crawford School of Public Policy has its own Academic Skills team dedicated to helping students to understand the academic expectations of studying at Crawford and succeed in their chosen program of study. Through individual appointments, course-embedded workshops and online resources, Crawford Academic Skills provides tailored advice to students keen to develop their academic reading, thinking, planning, writing, and presentation skills.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Foundations I: Risk and Resilience
2	Foundations II: Leadership
3	The Australian Experience I: Resilience, Crisis Management, and Institutions
4	The Australian Experience II: Leadership in Crisis	Assessment 1 due on 22 March
5	Perspectives from Practice: Ethics and Leadership
6	International Perspectives I: Presidential Leadership and Foreign/Security Policy in the United States
7	International Perspectives II: Insights from Europe and the Second World War
8	International Perspectives III: Nation-building and Economic Stewardship in Asia: Singapore, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan	Assessment 2 due on 3 May
9	Women and Leadership: Theory and Practice
10	International Perspectives IV: China: From Revolution to Reform
11	The Australian Experience III: Political Leadership and Nation-building
12	Practical Policy Exercise with the NSC Futures Hub	Assessment 3 due on 29 May
13	Exam Period	Assessment 4 due on 4 June

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Foundations Assessment	15 %	22/03/2026	30/03/2026	1, 4, 5
Leadership Analysis	25 %	03/05/2026	17/05/2026	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Short Reflection	10 %	29/05/2026	12/06/2026	1, 5
Research Essay	50 %	04/06/2026	03/07/2026	1, 2, 3, 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.

Assessment Task 1

Foundations Assessment

This assessment facilitates student engagement with the foundational materials covered in the first weeks of the course. It will be a relatively short piece of writing (800 words), and a prompt will be distributed in the first week of the semester, along with a marking rubric.

The Crawford School of Public Policy's word limit and penalty guidelines apply to this assessment item. More details to be provided via Canvas and in class.

Assessment Task 2

Leadership Analysis

This 1,500-word assessment should analyse a particular leader, preferably a national civilian leader (president or prime minister), and a specific leadership action: a decision or set of decisions. Further details will be provided in the first weeks of the semester, and a rubric will be provided on the Canvas site.

The Crawford School of Public Policy's word limit and penalty guidelines apply to this assessment item.

Assessment Task 3

Short Reflection

This assessment requires students to offer their reflections on the practical exercise conducted in week 12, linking it to demonstrated learning from the course. More specifics will be provided in Week 11. Note that students will be required to participate in week 12 in order to be able to perform this assessment task. If students have special circumstances preventing them from attending class in week 12, early notice will need to be provided to the course convener so that alternative assessments can be considered. This is a short piece of writing - 700 words - and a rubric will be provided in week 11.

The Crawford School of Public Policy's word limit and penalty guidelines apply to this assessment item. More details to be provided via Canvas and in class.

Assessment Task 4

Research Essay

This is a conventional research essay of 3,000 words. Students will be provided a list of research questions that will be uploaded to the Canvas site. Students will need to select one question or propose their own, which will need to be approved by the course convener. The essay will be marked according to a standard essay rubric that will be made available on Canvas. The Crawford School of Public Policy's word limit and penalty guidelines apply to this assessment item. More details to be provided via Canvas and in class.

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

N/A

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

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 Access 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 all ANU students