• Class Number 8860
  • Term Code 3660
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Dr Andrew Carr
  • LECTURER
    • Dr Nikolay Murashkin
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 27/07/2026
  • Class End Date 30/10/2026
  • Census Date 31/08/2026
  • Last Date to Enrol 03/08/2026
SELT Survey Results

The 2020s have seen the rise of numerous strategic problems for Australia. There are giant states in fierce competition, such as the United States and China, and emerging giants in India and Indonesia. There are also problems from below, such as climate change, artificial intelligence, cyber security, and terrorism. This course examines the security challenges facing Australia and explores how Australia should approach its region. This course is designed with a focus on active and authentic classroom experiences, with a heavy emphasis on simulation exercises that replicate real world problem solving. The course will thus help any students wishing to understand how the Australian government pursues national security, whether they are seeking a future career in government, or to contribute analysis to policy and public debates about how Australia should seek its security in a contested Asia.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Understand the range of national security challenges confronting Australia in the 21st Century and the way they relate to each other and Australia's strategic environment.
  2. Apply analytical frameworks and tools to better understand the complexities of the national security challenges confronting Australia and its neighbours.
  3. Articulate the role and nature of policy advice and develop creative proposals both individually and as part of a team
  4. Explore the contribution of Australia's First Nations people to Australian security, from the historical legacy of the Frontier Wars, through to the rise of Indigenous Diplomacy initiatives.
  5. Clearly and confidently articulate their ideas regarding Australia's national security in verbal as well as written form.

Research-Led Teaching

This course builds on a forthcoming book by Associate Professor Carr on the history of Australian defence policy from the Frontier wars to today, due to be published by Cambridge University Press in 2027.


STST3002 uses the case method of teaching, which is an active and authentic learning method. It is based on providing students with real world problems, and asking them to draw on academic and policy toolkits to solve it.


As such, this course will require, additional sessions of in-person class time, in weeks 3, 5, 6, 7 and 10, which students will be required to attend on campus to participate.

Staff Feedback

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

  • Written comments
  • Feedback to the whole class, to groups and individuals

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

STST3002 runs via an active and authentic learning pedagogy known as the Case Method. This requires in-person participation on ANU campus on the scheduled dates.

In weeks 3, 5, 6, 7 & 10 students will have an additionally scheduled in-person class for these case method classes to run in.

The weekly lecture will be pre-recorded and provided online by Sunday 9am of the appropriate week, to enable students to prepare for the week ahead, and to help reduce the amount of on-campus time required.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 Australia's Security Problems
2 Frontier Wars (1788-1930s)
3 Imperial Defence & Forward Defence (1850s - 1960s) Case method class #1: Dardanelles Case
4 Defence of Australia & National Defence (1970s - 2020s)
5 The End of the Rules-Based Order? Case method class #2: Responding to Strategic Shock
6 Australia's Relative Decline in Asia? Case method class #3: Mogami Class Case
7 A World of Competition? Case method class #4: Port of Darwin Case
8 Security in Our Streets
9 A Dangerous Ally?
10 A Major Power War in Asia? Case method class #5: How to respond to Grey Zone Incursions
11 Being a Democratic Problem Solver
12 Drop in Exam prep sessions

Tutorial Registration

Via MyTimetable. Please note tutorial registrations will close at the end of the first week of semester, and commence in the second week of semester.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Learning Outcomes
Annnotated Readings 20 % 1, 2, 4, 5
Case Method Classes x 5 30 % 1, 2, 3, 5
Invigilated Exam 40 % 1, 2, 3, 5
Course Engagement 10 % 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:

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.

Participation

Participation marks are not based on attendance, but on how well students contribute to the tutorials and the case method classes (in week 3, 5, 6, 7, & 10). Students will be assessed on the quality of their contribution to discussion and debate. To do well in these assessments, students should ensure they complete the assigned readings before their class, prepare appropriately, and engage in the discussion in a productive, professional manner.


The case method classes in weeks 3, 5, 6, 7 & 10 are in-person only. Unfortunately no online option can be made available due to the active and authentic learning format.


Further details on contributing to the case method classes will be provided on Canvas prior to the semester beginning.

Examination(s)

There is an in-person invigilated exam in this course. See the Student Assessment (coursework) Policy).

Further details will be provided closer to the exam period.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 20 %
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 5

Annnotated Readings

Weighting: 20% - 10 weeks x 2% per week.


What the Assignment involves:

Each week in their tutorials, students submit one (1) of the weekly readings with hand-annotated markups. Annotations are designed to show critical reading, and analysis of the key ideas, arguments and argument structures from your readings.


A full guide to this assignment will be provided on Canvas prior to the beginning of the semester.


To build up your skills, this assessment will require an increasing scale of complexity:

Week 1 – Do the reading, try to annotate it – Bring to class to discuss. Not Marked

Weeks 2-4 – Marked, but students only need to use Lit, MP, E symbols and write summary

Weeks 5-11, Students must use full range of marks (Lit, MP, SP, E, W, ?, X) and write Summary & one Question


Each week of handed in submission (2-11) will be worth 2% of your grade.

Feedback from your Annotated Readings for weeks 1-4 will be provided in week 5, prior to the census date.


Linked Learning Outcomes

This assessment links to the following course learning outcomes:

1. Understand the range of national security challenges confronting Australia in the 21st Century and the way they relate to each other and Australia's strategic environment.

2. Apply analytical frameworks and tools to better understand the complexities of the national security challenges confronting Australia and its neighbours.

4. Explore the contribution of Australia's First Nations people to Australian security, from the historical legacy of the Frontier Wars, through to the rise of Indigenous Diplomacy initiatives.

5. Clearly and confidently articulate their ideas regarding Australia's national security in verbal as well as written form.

Assessment Task 2

Value: 30 %
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5

Case Method Classes x 5

Weighting: 30%

Each case method class is worth 6% of your total grade, up to 30%


What the Assignment Involves:

STST3002 uses the Case Method, an active and authentic learning method, based on real world problem solving with academic and policy toolkits.

In Weeks 3, 5, 6, 7 & 10, Case Method classes will run, in addition to your usual tutorials. These classes will run in-person only, and students will be assigned a time based on their tutorials.

Feedback from the first Case Method Class will be provided by the 23rd of August to help students prepare for the second case, and in advance of the census


Full details on when and how to participate will be provided on My Timetable and Canvas prior to the beginning of semester


Linked Learning Outcomes

This assessment links to the following course learning outcomes:

1. Understand the range of national security challenges confronting Australia in the 21st Century and the way they relate to each other and Australia's strategic environment.

2. Apply analytical frameworks and tools to better understand the complexities of the national security challenges confronting Australia and its neighbours.

3. Articulate the role and nature of policy advice and develop creative proposals both individually and as part of a team

5. Clearly and confidently articulate their ideas regarding Australia's national security in verbal as well as written form.

Assessment Task 3

Value: 40 %
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5

Invigilated Exam

Weighting: 40%


What the Assignment Involves:

Students will complete an in-person exam, examining a current day case on Australia's security. They will have 2 hours to read the case and prepare a response.

Further details will be provided across the semester, and two drop-in sessions will be held to support students at the end of Week 11 prior to the exam period.


Linked Learning Outcomes

This assessment links to the following course learning outcomes:

1. Understand the range of national security challenges confronting Australia in the 21st Century and the way they relate to each other and Australia's strategic environment.

2. Apply analytical frameworks and tools to better understand the complexities of the national security challenges confronting Australia and its neighbours.

3. Articulate the role and nature of policy advice and develop creative proposals both individually and as part of a team

5. Clearly and confidently articulate their ideas regarding Australia's national security in verbal as well as written form.

Assessment Task 4

Value: 10 %
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Course Engagement

Weighting: 10%


What the Assignment involves:

Students will be assessed on the quality of their contribution to discussion and debate within tutorials. To do well in this assessment, students should ensure that they complete the assigned readings before their tutorial, attend the tutorial in which they are enrolled, and participate in class discussion.

Tutorial allocations will close at the end of week 1, unallocated students will then be assigned to an available tutorial.


Linked Learning Outcomes

This assessment links to the following course learning outcomes:

1. Understand the range of national security challenges confronting Australia in the 21st Century and the way they relate to each other and Australia's strategic environment.

2. Apply analytical frameworks and tools to better understand the complexities of the national security challenges confronting Australia and its neighbours.

3. Articulate the role and nature of policy advice and develop creative proposals both individually and as part of a team

4. Explore the contribution of Australia's First Nations people to Australian security, from the historical legacy of the Frontier Wars, through to the rise of Indigenous Diplomacy initiatives.

5. Clearly and confidently articulate their ideas regarding Australia's national security in verbal as well as written form.

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

Not applicable in this course. All assignments are completed in person due to the active & authentic learning pedagogy.


Assignment 1: Annotated Reading - Submit on paper during tutorials

Assignment 2: Case Method Class - Reflects contributions to case discussions during in person sessions

Assignment 3: Invigilated in-person exam - Held on ANU Campus during Exam period

Assignment 4: Tutorial participation - In person tutorials run on campus. Check MyTimetable for details

Hardcopy Submission

The annotated reading assignment can only be submitted in hard copy during your tutorials.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension will be 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.

Returning Assignments

Return dates for assessments are posted on Canvas.

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

It is each student's responsibility to ensure they upload the correct version of their work, student error is not considered reasonable grounds for assessment extension or adjustment.

Students may use the submission portal to check their similarity reports, and replace their submission if needed. For on time submissions, the most recently uploaded paper will be graded. For late submissions, the first submission received after the due date will be graded.

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).
Dr Andrew Carr
Andrew.Carr@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Australian Defence Policy, Strategy

Dr Andrew Carr

By Appointment
Dr Nikolay Murashkin
Nikolay.Murashkin@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Australian Defence Policy, Strategy

Dr Nikolay Murashkin

By Appointment

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions