National Security (11242.1)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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National Security
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Business, Government & Law
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Canberra School Of Politics, Economics And Society Level 3 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905)
National security is more than territorial integrity or a question of sovereignty. Globalisation, non-state actors, weapons proliferation, climate change, potential energy shortages and financial turmoil are forcing us to rethink security. Contemporary national security statements and documents as well as the changing nature of the state and our future security environment will be examined. New security threats will be considered in the context of risk and how the elements of national power can be applied to counter their effect. The course will review the changing nature of war and consider terrorism, insurgency and counterinsurgency theories and the effectiveness of intervention and stabilisation strategies to assist failed and failing states. The unit will conclude with a comparative study of international security architectures and an assessment of Australia's national security apparatus and approach.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Evaluate the changing nature of the state and security in a globalised security environment;
2. Analyse new threats and challenges to national security;
3. Assess the policies and procedures required to produce a whole of government response to national security problems;
4. Evaluate how the elements of national power can be used to counter national security threats and challenges;
5. Compare and assess Australia¿s national security architecture with international models; and
6. Reflect upon their unit experience, including theories, discussions and feedback, and how it relates to the goals set out in their professional portfolio.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas


Prerequisites

11238 Introduction to International Relations AND must have passed 24 credit points.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

8246 National Security

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 On-campus Prof Peter Leahy
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Prof Peter Leahy
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Given the contemporary nature of this course there is no prescribed text.  Students should complete the reading set for each lecture and remain up to date with current affairs by reading the newspapers, journals and web sites which cover matters related to national security.  All of the readings are available through the Canvas site.  They are categorised as either 'essential' or 'background'.  As a minimum you should read the essential readings and viewings before each lesson.  The self-assessment challenges will be based on the essential readings and viewings, the lecture content and any other directed material. The background reading will provide extra coverage of the topic and allow you to understand the topic better.  You will also find a range of video recordings of previous national security lectures which you may like to watch. A list of relevant internet sites will be published on the unit Canvas site. Students should pay attention to Canvas for any additional contemporary readings for each lecture.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Special assessment requirements

To be eligible to pass the unit students are to attempt all assessment items.

Supplementary assessment

Refer to the Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedures

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software. The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Special assessment requirements

To be ellligible to pass the unit students are to attempt all assessment items.

Use of Artificial Intelligence. 

The University Assessment Policy and Procedures makes the following statement in relation to the use of Artificial Inyellegence,

'Students must not use AI in the preparation and completion of assessment except as permitted in the Academic Integrity Procedure, or documented in a reasonable adjustment plan (RAP). Unit Conveners will indicate what is permissible in the unit outline (see Clause 3.9 of Academic Integrity Procedure). If use of AI is permitted, students must reference their use through an appropriate citation format for the unit.'

In this unit you are permitted to use AI  as an aid in your research and the development of your argument and thesis to answer your assessment items.You may not use direct quotes from any AI documents in your subnitted items.  Please be sensible and careful.  We will be on the lookout for student who abuse this concession.

As of April 1, 2024 the University has implemented a new Assessment Policy and Procedure process.  It is your responsibility to ensure you are familiar with these changes to University policies. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Apply for an Extension

 

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

It is expected that students attend all lectures and participate in tutorials unless they have made alternate arrangements with the lecturer or their tutor.

Required IT skills

No special IT skills are required.

Work placement, internships or practicums

An opportunity to particpate in a national security related internship program, in the following year, is offered to the best performing students.  Further information on the internship scheme will be provided  during the Semester.

Additional information

You should monitor the Canvas site for any additional information.

Next step

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