Students

PICX110 – Introduction to Security Studies

2018 – S2 OUA

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Nina Markovic
Nina Markovic
Sheryn Lee
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit introduces students to security studies and contemporary security challenges. Using real-world examples, it provides students with the theoretical and conceptual knowledge to analyse security, instability and armed conflict in the modern international system. It addresses the role of the international system, states and leaders in complex conflict scenarios and teaches students to critically assess the relative importance of each. The unit covers a variety of pressing security issues, including interstate and intrastate war, coercive use of military power, alliances, nuclear weapons, humanitarian intervention, terrorism and counterinsurgency. It also examines how these threats and challenges can be managed. The unit provides an introduction to the field of security studies. All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Understand key concepts, issues and debates in the security studies discipline.
  • Understand key theories, approaches and methods used to analyse security studies issues.
  • Identify traditional and non-traditional security studies issues, and evaluate contemporary debate regarding these issues.
  • Identify key stakeholders, actors and structures in the field of security studies.
  • Model basic academic skills, in particular, constructing a clear, original and analytic argument, and independent research, reading and writing skills.
  • Engage consistently with the unit through proactive communication with peers and the convener, and demonstrate professional conduct in all class activities and in the submission of assessments.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Engagement 20% Yes Ongoing
Opinion-editorial 20% No Week 6
Research Proposal 20% No Week 8
Research Essay 40% No Week 13

Engagement

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Ongoing assessment. Hurdle assessment.

For external and OUA students, the participation in a minimum of 11/13 online forums is required (minimum 250 words, maximum 500 words). Engagement involves reflective thinking on the focus questions, demonstrating critical thinking and understanding of the required readings, as well as demonstrated ability to address the focus questions with regards to all unit materials (readings, and pre-recorded lectures and seminars).

Engagement in seminar activities must be completed by the end of the week (for example, if the week begins on Monday 30 June, the week ends on the following Sunday 5 August). Participation will not be counted beyond the allocated timeframe. If you are unable to participate during a set time, and do not wish this to affect your engagement grade, "attendance requirement waivers" must be put through “Special Consideration.”

Please refer to the marking rubric.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand key concepts, issues and debates in the security studies discipline.
  • Understand key theories, approaches and methods used to analyse security studies issues.
  • Identify traditional and non-traditional security studies issues, and evaluate contemporary debate regarding these issues.
  • Identify key stakeholders, actors and structures in the field of security studies.
  • Engage consistently with the unit through proactive communication with peers and the convener, and demonstrate professional conduct in all class activities and in the submission of assessments.

Opinion-editorial

Due: Week 6
Weighting: 20%

Due Week 6, Sunday 9 September 2018, 5pm. Students are to write an 600-word op-ed based on the questions listed from Weeks 2-13. The op-ed question must be different to the essay proposal/final essay assessment. Students are asked to imitate the style of an Economist op-ed e.g. https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21726696-u-turns-self-regard-and-equivocation-are-not-what-it-takes-donald-trump-has-no-grasp-what-it. The word count includes by-lines but not the headline. Graphics are not necessary.

This assessment is designed to equip students with the ability to advance a logical argument. They will receive detailed feedback on writing style and structure in order to proceed to their essay proposals and final essays.

This assessment is designed to introduce students to research ethics – that is, the importance of original academic writing when it comes to analysis. Therefore, no in-text references or footnotes are required, only a bibliography.

Please refer to the marking rubric.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand key concepts, issues and debates in the security studies discipline.
  • Understand key theories, approaches and methods used to analyse security studies issues.
  • Identify key stakeholders, actors and structures in the field of security studies.
  • Model basic academic skills, in particular, constructing a clear, original and analytic argument, and independent research, reading and writing skills.

Research Proposal

Due: Week 8
Weighting: 20%

Due Week 8, Sunday 7 October 2018, 5pm. Students are to write an 800-word proposal for their intended research essay based on the questions listed from Weeks 2-13. The question for the proposal and final essay must be the same, however, it must be different to the op-ed.

This includes providing a clear answer to the question, an outline of the essay structure, and understanding the significance of the question for policy. Students should also be able to identify possible counter-arguments and how you will deal with them, and preliminary research findings demonstrating investigation of theoretical sources and empirical evidence. Students will be provided with detailed feedback from their essay proposals as to how they can progress to their research essays.

Please refer to the marking rubric.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand key concepts, issues and debates in the security studies discipline.
  • Understand key theories, approaches and methods used to analyse security studies issues.
  • Identify key stakeholders, actors and structures in the field of security studies.
  • Model basic academic skills, in particular, constructing a clear, original and analytic argument, and independent research, reading and writing skills.

Research Essay

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

Due Week 13, Sunday 11 November 2018, 5pm.

Completion of a 2500-word major essay, demonstrating original thought and research, and understanding of the core themes and the learning outcomes of the unit. The research essay must be the same question as the proposal.

Please refer to the marking rubric and the essay guidance.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand key concepts, issues and debates in the security studies discipline.
  • Understand key theories, approaches and methods used to analyse security studies issues.
  • Identify traditional and non-traditional security studies issues, and evaluate contemporary debate regarding these issues.
  • Identify key stakeholders, actors and structures in the field of security studies.
  • Model basic academic skills, in particular, constructing a clear, original and analytic argument, and independent research, reading and writing skills.

Delivery and Resources

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

  • You should spend an average of 12 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to lectures prior to seminar or tutorial, reading weekly required materials as detailed in iLearn, participating in Ilearn discussion forums and preparing assessments.
  • Internal students are expected to attend all seminar or tutorial sessions, and external students are expected to make significant contributions to on-line activities.
  • In most cases students are required to attempt and submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.

REQUIRED READINGS

  • The citations for all the required readings for this unit are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site, and at Macquarie University's library site.  Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed through the library or will be made available by other means.

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

  • Computer and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
  • This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
  • Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.
  • Information about IT used at Macquarie University is available at  http://students.mq.edu.au/it_services/

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • All text-based assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically.  This will only happen through the unit iLearn site. 
  • Assessment tasks must be submitted as a MS word document by the due date.
  • Most assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process.
  • The granting of extensions is subject to the university’s Special Consideration Policy. Extensions will not be granted by unit conveners or tutors, but must be lodged through Special Consideration: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideratio

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • Stated word limits include footnotes and footnoted references, but not bibliography, or title page.
  • Word limits can generally deviate by 10% either over or under the stated figure.
  • If the number of words exceeds the limit by more than 10%, then penalties will apply. These penalties are 5% of the awarded mark for every 100 words over the word limit. If a paper is 300 words over, for instance, it will lose 3 x 5% = 15% of the total mark awarded for the assignment. This percentage is taken off the total mark, i.e. if a paper was graded at a credit (65%) and was 300 words over, it would be reduced by 15 marks to a pass (50%).
  • The application of this penalty is at the discretion of the course convener.

 

REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER

  • Macquarie University operates a Grade Appeal Policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
  • In accordance with the Grade Appeal Policy, individual works are not subject to regrading.

STAFF AVAILABILITY

  • Department staff will endeavour to answer student enquiries in a timely manner. However, emails or iLearn messages will not usually be answered over the weekend or public holiday period.
  • Students are encouraged to read the Unit Guide and look at instructions posted on the iLearn site before sending email requests to staff.

 

Unit Schedule

Week

Topic

Lecturer

1

Introduction to Security and Strategic Studies

Sheryn Lee

Geopolitics and Geostrategy

2

Is the ANZUS alliance too costly for Australia? Examining the Australia-US alliance and power shifts in Asia

Ben Schreer

3

Is Australia’s strategic environment uncertain and dangerous?

Andrew Tan

4

What does China want and will there be war with the United States?

Bates Gill

Intelligence and Homeland Security

5

Is there still a need for human intelligence?

Becky Vogel

6

How do we secure Australia’s borders?

Dalbir Ahlawat

7

Does intervening in conflicts abroad make us safer at home? Issues of foreign intervention in civil wars

Adam Lockyer

**Mid-semester break (17-28 September 2018)**

Terrorism, Counter-Terrorism and Resilience

8

Can we win against terrorism?

Julian Droogan

9

What can we do when governments persist in killing their own people?  International human rights standards and mechanisms

Mike Smith

10

How do we make critical national infrastructure more resilient?

Layla Branicki

11

Does counter-radicalisation work?

Lise Waldek

The Future of War and Conflict

12

How serious are cyber-security threats?

Stephen McCombie

13

Does the nature of war ever change?

Tom Waldman

 

Policies and Procedures

Late Submission - applies unless otherwise stated elsewhere in the unit guide

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Extension Request

Special Consideration Policy and Procedure (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration)

The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.

You need to show that the circumstances:

  1. were serious, unexpected and unavoidable
  2. were beyond your control
  3. caused substantial disruption to your academic work
  4. substantially interfered with your otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of the unit requirements
  5. lasted at least three consecutive days or a total of 5 days within the teaching period and prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date.

If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:

  1. Visit Ask MQ and use your OneID to log in
  2. Fill in your relevant details
  3. Attach supporting documents by clicking 'Add a reply', click 'Browse' and navigating to the files you want to attach, then click 'Submit Form' to send your notification and supporting documents
  4. Please keep copies of your original documents, as they may be requested in the future as part of the assessment process

Outcome

Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.

OUA Specific Policies and Procedures

Withdrawal from a unit after the census date

You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.

If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.

If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Engage consistently with the unit through proactive communication with peers and the convener, and demonstrate professional conduct in all class activities and in the submission of assessments.

Assessment tasks

  • Engagement
  • Opinion-editorial

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify key stakeholders, actors and structures in the field of security studies.
  • Model basic academic skills, in particular, constructing a clear, original and analytic argument, and independent research, reading and writing skills.
  • Engage consistently with the unit through proactive communication with peers and the convener, and demonstrate professional conduct in all class activities and in the submission of assessments.

Assessment task

  • Engagement

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand key concepts, issues and debates in the security studies discipline.
  • Understand key theories, approaches and methods used to analyse security studies issues.
  • Identify traditional and non-traditional security studies issues, and evaluate contemporary debate regarding these issues.
  • Model basic academic skills, in particular, constructing a clear, original and analytic argument, and independent research, reading and writing skills.
  • Engage consistently with the unit through proactive communication with peers and the convener, and demonstrate professional conduct in all class activities and in the submission of assessments.

Assessment tasks

  • Engagement
  • Opinion-editorial
  • Research Proposal
  • Research Essay

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand key concepts, issues and debates in the security studies discipline.
  • Understand key theories, approaches and methods used to analyse security studies issues.
  • Identify traditional and non-traditional security studies issues, and evaluate contemporary debate regarding these issues.
  • Model basic academic skills, in particular, constructing a clear, original and analytic argument, and independent research, reading and writing skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Opinion-editorial
  • Research Proposal
  • Research Essay

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand key concepts, issues and debates in the security studies discipline.
  • Understand key theories, approaches and methods used to analyse security studies issues.
  • Identify traditional and non-traditional security studies issues, and evaluate contemporary debate regarding these issues.

Assessment tasks

  • Opinion-editorial
  • Research Proposal
  • Research Essay

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand key concepts, issues and debates in the security studies discipline.
  • Understand key theories, approaches and methods used to analyse security studies issues.
  • Identify traditional and non-traditional security studies issues, and evaluate contemporary debate regarding these issues.
  • Identify key stakeholders, actors and structures in the field of security studies.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Proposal
  • Research Essay

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Engage consistently with the unit through proactive communication with peers and the convener, and demonstrate professional conduct in all class activities and in the submission of assessments.

Assessment tasks

  • Engagement
  • Opinion-editorial
  • Research Essay

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify key stakeholders, actors and structures in the field of security studies.
  • Engage consistently with the unit through proactive communication with peers and the convener, and demonstrate professional conduct in all class activities and in the submission of assessments.

Assessment tasks

  • Engagement
  • Opinion-editorial
  • Research Essay

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Engage consistently with the unit through proactive communication with peers and the convener, and demonstrate professional conduct in all class activities and in the submission of assessments.

Assessment task

  • Engagement

Unit Resources

Lectures

Each week showcases a theme from our Bachelors of Security Studies program. Our intention is to introduce students to our academic staff and the broad expertise and experience of our department. As each week is a unique guest lecture, we expect all students to attend, engage and participate.

Tutorials

All students are expected to come prepared to tutorials having attended or listened to the lecture, and read all the required readings. This basic assumption of knowledge will form the foundation for discussion. Therefore there is a two-fold structure:

  1. Discussion on lecture content and required readings
  2. Academic skills session

Readings

Weekly readings are available from the Library’s Leganto platform, and each week’s readings are specified on the iLearn.

Assessments

Please use the resources on the site, the required and recommended readings are there for a reason and should be the base from which you start your research.  For further guidance, please always refer to the marking rubrics to see how we mark and what is necessary for to be put in each paper.

All word limits include references (either in-text citations or footnotes), and all referencing must use a consistent style. For referencing guidelines please see the library site: http://libguides.mq.edu.au/Referencing. With regard to referencing, I do not mind any particular style as long as it is consistent (Chicago, APA, Harvard, Oxford, MLA are the main ones, and please refer to the library guides).

All references (footnotes or in-text references) are included in the word count, but bibliographies are not. There are no set limits on how many references are needed, however as a general guidelines I follow the 10% rule i.e. if a paper is 1500-words, than it usually has a 150-word count for its footnotes; if a paper is 3000-words, than it usually has a 300-word count for its footnotes. The word count has a +/-10% leeway.