Why is international security so challenging? How do states seek to make themselves secure? And how can dangerous international competition be managed? STST1001 introduces students to the fundamental problems of international security and to the concepts and analytical tools used to understand them. The course examines how security, power, strategic competition and uncertainty shape the choices states face; how states pursue their interests through cooperation, coercion, deterrence and technology; and how dangerous competition can be managed through crisis management, statecraft and international order. Throughout the course, these ideas are explored through a mix of historical examples and contemporary international security case studies, with a particular focus on Asia. The course also considers how different cultural perspectives can broaden and challenge conventional understandings of security. In so doing, a central aim is to help students begin to think like international security analysts by understanding the interests, capabilities and choices of different international actors, recognising uncertainty and unintended consequences, and developing clear and evidence-based judgments. STST1001 is designed to provide an analytical and disciplinary foundation for later-year courses in the Bachelor of International Security Studies.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain key concepts and problems in international security, including security, power, strategic competition, coercion, deterrence and international order.
- Analyse international security problems by identifying the interests, capabilities and choices of relevant actors and considering how their actions affect one another.
- Apply concepts and evidence to historical and contemporary international security problems, distinguishing between what is known, assumed and uncertain.
- Critically reflect on how different perspectives, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other Indigenous perspectives, can broaden or challenge conventional understandings of security.
- Develop and communicate clear, logically structured and evidence-based judgements about international security problems.
Indicative Assessment
- Tutorial exercises (10) [LO 2,3,4]
- Historical analysis (25) [LO 1,3,4,5]
- Policy brief (30) [LO 2,3,5]
- Final exam (35) [LO 1,2,3,5]
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
This course comprises some 130 hours of activity over 12 weeks, including some 24 hours of lectures or an equivalent activity and some 12 hours of tutorials or equivalent activity. The course comprises a maximum of 6k words of assessment or the equivalent. 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.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
No prescribed text are currently required for this course. All readings will be provided electronically via Canvas.
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 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $5040 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $6840 |
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.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3779 | 22 Feb 2027 | 01 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 28 May 2027 | In Person | N/A |