This course explores how Australia develops and uses its armed forces to deter threats, and fight if needed to defend the nation and its interests.
The course examines the key ideas which animate Australian strategic and defence policies, including the Balance of Power, Sphere of Influence, Deterrence, Collective Security and Strategy.
Through a deep dive into each of these concepts, their historical application and contemporary relevance, this course enables students to engage with the academic, policy and public debates about Australian strategic policy.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the key historical eras in Australian Strategic and Defence Policy
- Apply theories and concepts from the discipline of Strategic Studies to assess the development and practice of Australian Strategic and Defence Policy
- Understand academic and policy debates about the direction of Australian Strategic and Defence Policy
- Develop and apply analytical skills to critically assess the key historical eras, theories and debates of Australian Strategic and Defence Policy
- Possess increased capacity for original, independent thought about historical and contemporary Australian Strategic and Defence Policy
- Apply, in written and oral form, the key concepts and debates to real world cases and contemporary issues in Australian Strategic and Defence Policy
Indicative Assessment
- Short Written Assessment (20) [LO 1,3,4]
- In-Class Debates (10) [LO 1,2,3]
- Research Essay (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Online Short Answer Quiz (3 x 10%) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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
Approximately 130 hours comprising seminars as well as associated preparation, independent study, and assessment time. Please note this is a general guide, averaged over the semester and the final hours ultimately depend on the individual's ability in reading and writing.
Prescribed Texts
N/A
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 |
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7269 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |