On-campus & remote (online) learning available. Students participate in interactive, real-time classes. 2026 class dates:
Interstate cooperation and competition in the Indo-Pacific and the potential for armed conflict is widely recognised as the defining geopolitical feature of the twenty-first century. How the United States and China manage their relationship with each other and their allies and partners will have significant implications for regional and global order and stability. The implications of this for Australia are also substantial. This course introduces students to the challenges and choices facing national security policy-makers in an era of connectivity and contestation across the Pacific and Indian oceans. The national security interests and grand strategies of China, the United States, Japan and Australia, amongst others, will be addressed. Attention will also focus on how they confront trade-offs in achieving these interests, and implications of their interactions. The course will also focus on how Australia can achieve its interests amidst these complex challenges. In keeping with the National Security College signature pedagogy, this course will integrate academic expertise and the perspectives of senior policy practitioners. It will draw on resident expertise in the National Security College. This 3-unit course also serves to introduce students to options for deeper study on related topics at the ANU.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of the interactions and interests of key powers across the regional security environment.
- Critically analyse how these strategic factors intersect with one another in shaping a complex regional security environment.
- Evaluate the risks and advantages of various security policy options in responding to complex regional security challenges.
Indicative Assessment
- Policy challenge document (1,000 words) (30) [LO 1,2]
- Analytical essay (2,000 words) and oral exam (15 minutes) (70) [LO 1,2,3]
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
The standard workload for a 3 unit course is 65 hours including class time and independent study.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
None.
Preliminary Reading
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:
- 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 3.00 | 0.06250 |
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.