This course explores the practical and conceptual foundations of Australia's defence policy, as laid out in the National Defence Strategy and earlier Defence White Papers. The course explores the role and development of strategic guidance for defence in its departmental, strategic and political context. It examines the historical origins and evolution of key concepts such as defence and denial, conventional and nuclear deterrence, defence planning and alliance in Australian defence policy, and uses them to analyse contemporary policy directions, choices and challenges. Assessment in this course is scaffolded and designed to help students design a research-led examination of a policy question of their choice relating to current Australian defence policy.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate understanding of the role and development of strategic guidance in Australian defence policy
2. Apply concepts from the discipline of Strategic Studies to assess the development and practice of Australian defence policy
3. Understand academic and policy debates about the direction of Australian Strategic and Defence Policy
4. Frame research questions of relevance to understanding and informing current defence policy challenges
5. Assemble and analyze evidence of relevance to research on curent defence policy challenges
6. Apply, in written and oral form, the key concepts and debates to real world cases and contemporary issues in Australian Strategic and Defence Policy

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

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	Australian Defence: Geography and History
2	Defence Policy and Strategic Guidance: From the Strategic Basis to the NDS
3	Allies and Partners: Balance of Power, Rules-based Order and Defending the South Pacific	Elevator pitches group 1
4	Key Concepts: Self-Reliance and Alliance	Elevator pitches group 2
5	Strategy: From Defence in Depth to Deterrence by Denial	Research proposal due Sun 23 Aug, 11:55 pm
6	Focused Force? Defence Planning and Force Design
7	Levels of Conflict: Major war and the 'Grey Zone'	Oral presentation due Sun 27 Sept, 11:55 pm
8	Beyond Major Platforms? Australia and Autonomous Systems
9	National Defence and the National Support Base	Literature review due Sun 4 Oct, 11:55 pm
10	Defence Acquisition and Industry Policy
11	Towards the 2028 NDS	Analytical essay due Fri 30 Oct, 11:55 pm

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Research proposal	20 %	23/08/2026	30/08/2026	1,2,3,4,5,6
Oral Presentation	10 %	27/09/2026	12/10/2026	2,3,4,5,6
Literature Review	30 %	04/10/2026	19/10/2026	3,4,5,6
Analytical Essay	40 %	30/10/2026	16/11/2026	1,2,3,4,5,6

* 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.

Examination(s)

No exam is planned for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Research proposal

Weighting: 20%

Length: 1,000 words

Format: Written submission

Due: Sunday 23 August 2026, 11:55 pm

 

This assessment requires students to identify and frame a current policy challenge in Australian defence policy as a research question. Students should select a policy question that is clearly connected to the themes of the course, including strategic guidance, deterrence, defence planning, alliance policy, force structure, national defence, defence industry, or related issues in contemporary Australian strategic policy.

The research proposal should explain the policy problem, justify its significance, formulate a clear research question, and outline a preliminary approach to answering that question. Students should identify the kinds of evidence they expect to use and explain how concepts from strategic studies and Australian defence policy will inform their analysis.

 This assessment is intended to help students move from a broad area of interest to a focused and researchable question. It provides the foundation for the remaining assessment items and the final analytical essay.

 

Assessment criteria:

·        Clarity and relevance of the chosen policy problem

·        Quality and focus of the research question

·        Understanding of the policy and strategic context

·        Appropriateness of the proposed research approach

·        Identification of relevant evidence and sources

·        Clarity, structure, and quality of written expression

 

Assessment Task 2

Oral Presentation

Weighting: 10%

Length: 5 minutes

Format: Pre-recorded individual oral presentation, uploaded via Canvas

Due: Sunday 27 September 2026, 11:55 pm

 

This assessment requires students to submit a recorded oral presentation on their research project. Students are expected to prepare slides, record themselves delivering the presentation, and upload the recording via Canvas by the due date. The presentation should introduce the selected research question, explain why it matters for current Australian defence policy, outline the preliminary argument or line of inquiry, and identify the kinds of evidence and literature that will be used in the project.

 

The purpose of this assessment is to help students clarify and communicate the central logic of their research project. The presentation should be suitable for a policy-informed academic audience and should demonstrate that the student has developed a focused and researchable project.

 

Separate from the marked oral presentation, students may choose to give a short formative elevator pitch in tutorials in Weeks 3 and 4. These elevator pitches are optional and are intended to provide early feedback on the student’s research question, policy relevance, and proposed approach. They are not compulsory and will not be marked. The marked component is the recorded oral presentation submitted via Canvas.

 

The recorded oral presentation builds on the research proposal and should help students consolidate their project before completing the literature review and final analytical essay.

 

Assessment criteria:

·        Clarity and focus of the research question

·        Ability to explain the policy relevance of the project

·        Evidence of preliminary research and conceptual engagement

·        Quality and coherence of the oral presentation

·        Effective use of slides to support the oral presentation

·        Suitability of the project for further development

Assessment Task 3

Literature Review

Weighting: 30%

Length: 2,000 words

Format: Written submission

Due: Sunday 4 October 2026, 11:55 pm

 

This assessment requires students to review and analyse the academic and policy literature relevant to their chosen research question. The literature review should identify the main debates, concepts, arguments, and evidence that shape understanding of the selected policy problem.

 

Students should show how the existing literature informs their research project and where their own analysis will contribute. This may involve identifying gaps, tensions, disagreements, assumptions, or unresolved questions in the literature. Students should engage with both academic sources and relevant policy material, as appropriate to their topic.

 

This assessment is nested within the broader research project. It should provide the conceptual and evidentiary foundation for the final analytical essay. Students will be able to cite or refer to their literature review in the final essay, where appropriate, so that the final essay can build on the research already completed rather than repeat the literature review in full.

 

Assessment criteria:

·        Selection of relevant academic and policy literature

·        Understanding of key debates and concepts

·        Capacity to compare and evaluate different arguments

·        Explanation of how the literature informs the research question

·        Identification of gaps, tensions, or unresolved issues

·        Quality of structure, referencing, and written expression

Assessment Task 4

Analytical Essay

Weighting: 40%

Length: 3,000 words

Format: Written submission

Due: Sunday 1 November 2026, 11:55 pm

 

This assessment requires students to complete an analytical essay on their chosen policy question. The essay should develop a clear argument, engage with relevant academic and policy debates, and use appropriate evidence to analyse a current issue in Australian defence policy.

 

The analytical essay should build on the earlier assessment tasks. Students are expected to refine the research question introduced in the research proposal, incorporate feedback received during the course where relevant, and draw on the literature reviewed in the third assessment. Students may cite or refer to their literature review in the analytical essay where appropriate. The essay should build on the literature review by developing the student’s own argument and analysis without repeating all the debates already addressed in the literature.

 

The essay should be analytical rather than descriptive. It should not only explain what Australian defence policy says, but assess the strategic logic, assumptions, trade-offs, implementation challenges, or policy implications of the issue under examination.

 

Assessment criteria:

·        Clarity, originality, and significance of the argument

·        Understanding of Australian defence policy and strategic context

·        Application of relevant concepts from strategic studies

·        Effective use and analysis of evidence

·        Engagement with relevant academic and policy debates, building on the literature review where appropriate

·        Coherence of structure and quality of written expression

·        Accuracy and consistency of referencing

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

N/A

Late Submission

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