Pacific island countries and communities today face an unprecedented set of security challenges, many of which will intensify over coming decades: climate change, geopolitics, a contested ocean, promoting human development and dealing with transnational crime.  In response, the Pacific is drawing together to take collective action; developing innovative national security strategies, collaborating on security initiatives through an evolving regional architecture, and advocating for Pacific priorities on the global stage.

The course will critically analyse some of the key challenges before the region, and the policy responses. Students will learn about the key regional organisations and security agreements, including the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, the Boe Declaration on Regional Security and the Ocean of Peace Declaration.  Students will learn how members of the Pacific Islands Forum are applying the regional frameworks in their national security policy-making, and the key elements in successful Pacific national security policy-making.  A highlight of the course is a futures exercise, in which students will apply these learnings to chart the journey to 2050.

The course is presented as a collaboration between the National Security College and the Pacific Security College, and consistent with NSC’s signature pedagogy, will be delivered by an academic convenor and policy practitioners, including a number of Pacific representatives.  Students will finish the course with an excellent understanding of the Pacific security environment – and have developed their own recommendations on the next steps for governments and other stakeholders.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of Pacific security priorities, how to engage the regional security architecture, and how national security policy-making works.
2. Critically discuss and debate academic and policy literature relating to Pacific security challenges and opportunities.
3. Create recommendations for how national governments and regional organisations can manage Pacific security issues.
4. Integrate knowledge of current and future security issues, and Pacific national and regional policy-making, to examine how the Pacific security environment might evolve between now and 2050.
5. Develop and communicate ideas, analysis and argument in a range of forms for professional and scholarly audiences, reflecting the need to be influential with many stakeholders in Pacific security policy-making.

Research-Led Teaching

The unit is informed by the latest research on and practice in Pacific regional and national security. As with other NSC courses, the unit will be delivered as a collaboration between an academic convenor and expert policy practitioners, including several Pacific representatives. Consistent with the Pacific's expansive understanding of security, as set out in the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security, the unit will also highlight contemporary issues ranging from climate change and crime to human security and the ocean. The course will conclude with a futures exercise. Part of the participation mark will be awarded on the basis of student engagement (questions, discussion) with guest speakers and in the futures exercise.

Recommended Resources

There is no single set text. Indicative reading is as follows (weekly reading and PDFs of required readings will be posted to Canvas).

Transform Aqorau, Fishing For Success: Lessons in Pacific Regionalism, Canberra: ANU Department of Pacific Affairs, 2019.

George Carter, ‘Establishing a Pacific Voice in the Climate Change Negotiations’, in Greg Fry and Sandra Tarte (eds), The New Pacific Diplomacy, Canberra: ANU Press, 2015.

Cook Islands Government, National Security Policy 2023-2026, Rarotonga: Cook Islands Government, 2023.

Greg Fry, Framing the Islands: Power and Diplomatic Agency in Pacific Regionalism, Canberra: ANU Press, 2019.

Epeli Hau’ofa, ‘Our Sea of Islands’, The Contemporary Pacific 6(1) (1994): pp.148-61.

Henry Ivarature, 'National Security Strategies in the Pacific — Some Challenges', In Brief 2023/01: Canberra: ANU Department of Pacific Affairs, 2023.

Henrietta McNeill, ‘Border security cooperation to combat transnational crime in the Pacific Islands’ in Joanne Wallis, Henrietta McNeill, James Batley and Anna Powles eds., Security Cooperation in the Pacific Islands: Politics, Priorities, and Pathways of the Regional Security Patchwork, London and New York: Routledge, 2025, pp. 263-277.

Anna Naupa ‘Cultural security in the Pacific: Why it matters for regional security’, Lowy Interpreter, 2023 https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/cultural-security-pacific-why-it-matters-regional-security

Pacific Islands Forum, Boe Declaration on Regional Security Action Plan, 2019.

Pacific Islands Forum, 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, 2022.

Pacific Islands Forum and Pacific Fusion Centre, The Pacific Security Outlook Report, 2025.

Joanne Wallis et al, ‘Introduction: Security cooperation in the Pacific Islands’ in Joanne Wallis, Henrietta McNeill, James Batley and Anna Powles eds., Security Cooperation in the Pacific Islands: Politics, Priorities, and Pathways of the Regional Security Patchwork, London and New York: Routledge, 2025, pp. 263-277.

Hugh White. ‘Hard New World’, Quarterly Essay, June 2025.

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	Introduction to Pacific regional and national security	Week beginning 27 July 2026. Details provided for Assessments 1 and 2.
2	The Pacific regional security architecture	Week beginning 3 August 2026.
3	Approaching Pacific security in a more complex world	Week beginning 10 August 2026. Assessment 1 due.
4	Making Pacific national security policy	Week beginning 17 August 2026.
5	Transnational and cyber crime	Week beginning 24 August 2026. Assessment 1 returned.
6	Climate change	Week beginning 31 August 2026. Details provided for assessment 4. Assessment 2 due following non-teaching period, 7-18 September 2026.
7	Gender, inclusion and human security	Week beginning 21 September 2026.
8	The ocean	Week beginning 28 September 2026. Assessment 2 returned.
9	Australia and Pacific security	Week beginning 5 October 2026.
10	Crisis response scenario	Week beginning 12 October 2026. Details provided for Assessment 3.
11	Futures exercise: Pacific 2050	Week beginning 19 October 2026.
12	Summary: the journey to 2050	Week beginning 26 October 2026. Assessment 3 due this week, and Assessment 4 the following week.

Tutorial Registration

This course has 1 lecture (live/recorded) and a 90 minute workshop each week, with the option to do that workshop on-campus, or on zoom. Workshop attendance is required and participation is assessed.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Opinion piece/blog	15 %	16/08/2026	28/08/2026	1, 2, 3, 5
Government policy submission	20 %	20/09/2026	02/10/2026	1, 3, 5
Reflection	15 %	01/11/2026	10/12/2026	3, 4, 5
Research essay and discussion	40 %	05/11/2026	10/12/2026	1, 2, 3, 5
Participation	10 %	*	10/12/2026	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 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.

Participation

As above.

Assessment Task 1

Opinion piece/blog

Students will prepare an opinion piece/blog of 800 words on a Pacific security topic of their own choosing (in consultation with the teaching convenor).  The blog/opinion piece will develop students’ ability to write for the general public, a key test for explaining and persuading citizens of particular security approaches.  This assessment will be undertaken and returned to students before the census date. The Crawford School of Public Policy's word limit and penalty guidelines apply to this assessment item. Further detail and a marking rubric will be provided in week 1.

Assessment Task 2

Government policy submission

Students will prepare a 1000 word government policy submission. The submission will including an analysis of, and policy recommendations regarding, a Pacific security topic of their own choosing (in consultation with the teaching convenor). The submission will support students’ ability to distil complex ideas, wrestle with competing choices and scarce resources, and formulate practical recommendations for a senior decision-maker. The Crawford School of Public Policy's word limit and penalty guidelines apply to this assessment item. Further detail and a marking rubric will be provided in week 1.

Assessment Task 3

Reflection

Students will prepare an 800 word reflection on the crisis response scenario in week 10 or the futures exercise in week 11. The reflection should cover what students took away from the exercise, and may also reflect on the broader aims of the course. The reflection will support students to integrate their learnings about regional and national security policy, and apply them to how they might shape the Pacific’s journey to 2050. The Crawford School of Public Policy's word limit and penalty guidelines apply to this assessment item. Further detail and a marking rubric will be provided in week 10.

Assessment Task 4

Research essay and discussion

Students will prepare a substantial research essay of 2,500 words. The essay will address a topic chosen from a list of prepared topics to be provided in class. The research essay (2,500 words) will support students’ ability to analyse key academic and policy debates, and formulate their own views on how regional and national policies should develop. Following submission of the research essay, students will be asked to attend a 10 minute interactive discussion with the teaching convenor. During the discussion, students will be asked to explain and, where necessary, elaborate on the essay. Students will also have the opportunity to demonstrate their overall learning in the course. The Crawford School of Public Policy's word limit and penalty guidelines apply to this assessment item. Further detail and a marking rubric will be provided in week 6.

Assessment Task 5

Participation

Students are expected to engage meaningfully and constructively each week, particularly when guest speakers appear throughout the course and during the futures exercise. Students should come prepared to share their own questions and thoughts in relation to each week's readings.

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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. 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