Many claim to be be 'strategists' or 'strategic thinkers', but what does this actually mean? What is strategy? How is it formulated? How may it be applied? And to what ends? This course will address such questions by critically analysing some of the key frameworks and concepts — historical and contemporary -- used to understand strategy as a tool to protect and advance national interests. To broaden understanding about contemporary challenges to strategy and defence, the course also introduces students to selected cognate concepts for understanding strategy, such as deterrence, coercion, the nuclear factor, defence diplomacy, etc. To deepen understanding about strategy-making and defence policy, the course introduces significant cases beyond those from Europe and the United States. 

This course also explores the challenge of turning strategic theories and concepts into action. How are the formulation, articulation and implementation of strategy affected by cultural, organisational, institutional or other factors? Who gets to make strategy, and how can we analyse the limits and challenges posed by resources, organisational capacity, and contestation among the different sectors and interest groups involved in the strategic process?

To stimulate further consideration of long-standing challenges in defence and strategy, the course also addresses selected timely questions and debates, which may include the impacts of AI, economic restructuring, radicalism, ethical conduct, planetary security, etc.

As the keystone of the Master of Strategy and Defence Program, the course will equip students with a range of practical academic skills to set them up for success in their studies in strategy, defence, security and related fields.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key historical thinkers and schools of thought that have shaped the formulation and understanding of strategy.
2. Explain fundamental theoretical concepts and frameworks in the fields of strategy and defence.
3. Identify factors shaping the formulation, articulation and implementation of strategy and evaluate their effects.
4. Estimate the effect of global trends on the practice of strategy.
5. Apply strategic and defence theories to historical and contemporary cases.
6. Communicate clearly and persuasively about strategic and defence matters in a variety of modes.

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	Intro /Overview	Please see the "Full Course Outline and Reading Guide" on Canvas for a detailed description of the topic, reading list, and tutorial discussion questions for each week.
2	Uses & Abuses of Force
3	Making Strategy & Doing Defence
4	Civil-military Relations
5	Ethics of War
6	Historical Concepts & Theories of Strategy
7	Mid-semester break
8	Contemporary approaches to strategy
9	Deterrence, with and without nuclear weapons
10	Coercion and great power strategies
11	Can non-great powers do strategy?
12	The China case: strategic concepts and practice

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Class participation	10 %	1, 2, 4
Quiz	10 %	1, 2, 4
Essay	30 %	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Exam	50 %	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

Class participation

The focus of lectures will be on providing you with the opportunity to engage with the subject material at an advanced level, rather than on simple content delivery. The aim is to teach you… how… to think about the complex questions covered by this subject, not… what… to think. This requires that you undertake sustained independent preparation for every… class.

The… required… readings have been selected carefully with the aim of giving you precisely what you need to prepare for seminars and tutorials. You will be properly prepared if you have read the required readings carefully and critically, and no more and no less.… 

The… recommended… readings are for those who would like to investigate specific aspects of each topic in greater detail, and to guide your preparation for writing the essay and for the exam. You do not need to read the recommended readings in preparation for… classes, although you are strongly encouraged to read as much recommended material for each… class… as you… can.

Assessment Task 2

Quiz

Weekly quizzes on Canvas related to each lecture topic

Assessment Task 3

Essay

Short analytical essay in response to one question (there will be a choice from a set of question provided).

2,000 words. Deadline in week 9.

This is intended to be a short essay and the word limit must be adhered to strictly as per the School's… policies, which allow a 10% leeway and impose penalties for essays that do not fall within that range. The bibliography and footnotes are not counted in the word limit, but text in footnotes should be used sparingly.

Any consistent referencing style that uses footnotes may be used.

Assessment Task 4

Exam

[TBC] A three hour, closed-book exam will be held during the formal examination period. Further details about the exam will be made available on Canvas.

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