Students

PICT2012 – Modern Warfare

2026 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Snr Lecturer
Yves-Heng Lim
By appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
50cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces students to the dynamics of modern warfare. War is a complex thing and force continues to be employed extensively by a range of state and non-state actors with major implications for national, international, and human security. The unit provides students with the theoretical tools required to make sense of the different forms and levels of modern warfare as well as the operational concepts and approaches which underpin its conduct. The unit critically considers a range of pressing issues and debates relating to the practice of warfare, with a particular emphasis on the impact of new technologies, the role of information, and ethical considerations. Through detailed analysis of contemporary military operations, students will learn to assess the utility of force by examining its political effects and consequences.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

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

  • ULO1: Demonstrate understanding of the enduring intersection of politics and warfare, and explain the role of strategy in connecting the two.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate knowledge of the considerations that inform the planning and conduct of military operations (including logistics, doctrine, tactics, and law) and apply that abstract knowledge to real-world cases.
  • ULO3: Identify and critically analyse different forms of modern warfare.
  • ULO4: Discuss the influence of new technologies and the role of information on the character of modern warfare.
  • ULO5: Examine the human impact of modern warfare on both combatants and civilians.
  • ULO6: Demonstrate the ability to write clear and concise analyses for a policy audience.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Op-Ed 50% No 11/09/2026 Individual Yes Open
Policy Brief 50% No 30/10/2026 Individual Yes Open

Op-Ed

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 31 hours
Due: 11/09/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

An op‑ed is a concise, persuasive commentary written for a broad public audience. It requires students to analyse the issue’s significance, craft a focused argument, and use accessible evidence to shape how readers understand the topic.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the enduring intersection of politics and warfare, and explain the role of strategy in connecting the two.
  • Identify and critically analyse different forms of modern warfare.
  • Discuss the influence of new technologies and the role of information on the character of modern warfare.
  • Demonstrate the ability to write clear and concise analyses for a policy audience.

Policy Brief

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: 30/10/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

The policy memo is a written brief addressed to a high-level policy-maker who is considering, but not committed to, the use of force in a particular situation to advance the government’s interests. The memo will identify and analyze the political and strategic factors that should inform the policy-maker’s decision, and recommend a particular course of action.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the enduring intersection of politics and warfare, and explain the role of strategy in connecting the two.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the considerations that inform the planning and conduct of military operations (including logistics, doctrine, tactics, and law) and apply that abstract knowledge to real-world cases.
  • Identify and critically analyse different forms of modern warfare.
  • Discuss the influence of new technologies and the role of information on the character of modern warfare.
  • Examine the human impact of modern warfare on both combatants and civilians.
  • Demonstrate the ability to write clear and concise analyses for a policy audience.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

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-consideration

LATE ASSESSMENT SUBMISSION PENALTY 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of '0' (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55 pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. 

This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs) will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special Consideration application. 

 

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

Class Schedule PICT 2012 Modern Warfare

 

Semester Week

Lecture Date

Topic

Assessment

Week 1

30 July

Introduction

No tutorials this week

Lecture delivered as scheduled

 

Week 2

6 August

Understanding War

 

Week 3

13 August

What is Strategy

 

Week 4

20 August

Operations and Strategic Forms

Quiz 1: covering weeks 1, 2 & 3

Friday 22 August

Week 5

27 August

Maritime Warfare

 

Week 6

3 September

Air and Space Warfare

 

Week 7

10 September

Nuclear deterrence and warfare

Quiz 2: covering weeks 4, 5 and 6

Friday 12 September

Week 8

17 September

Coercion and the Diplomacy of Violence

 

Mid-Semester Recess

Monday 22 September to Sunday 5 October

 

Policy Memo Due:

Wednesday 24 September

Week 9

8 October

Political Warfare

NO TUTORIALS THIS WEEK

Quiz 3: covering weeks 7, 8 and 9

Friday 10 October

Week 10

15 October

Counter-Insurgency

 

Week 11

22 October

Law and Ethics of Warfare

 

Week 12

29 October

War and Society

Quiz 4: covering weeks 10, 11 and 12

Friday 25 October

Week 13

Week beginning 3 November

NO LECTURES OR TUTORIALS

Essay/Operations Analysis Due:

Wednesday 5 November

Exam Period

Monday 10 November to Friday 28 November

 

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk

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.


Unit information based on version 2026.04 of the Handbook