Students
PICT838 – Insurgency and Non-State Security Challenges
2013 – S1 Evening
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Vincent Williams
Contact via vince.williams@mq.edu.au
Y3A 238
As detailed on the iLearn site
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MPICT or PGDipPICT or PGCertPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or PGDipIntSecStud or PGCertIntSecStud
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit examines why insurgencies happen, their characteristics, and how they can develop into – or be associated with – non-state security challenges. These challenges can include criminal activities, such as trafficking in arms, people and narcotics, and the modern version of maritime piracy. As well as examining the history of insurgencies, this unit will compare and contrast the different types of responses adopted by states, and the effects of influence-drivers – such as globalisation and technology.
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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:
- Critically analyse selected insurgencies and evaluate their causes and characteristics.
- Evaluate counter insurgency campaigns in order to review the nature and outcomes achieved.
- Critique the impact of non-state actors and influence drivers on modern insurgency campaigns.
- Engage with the field of security through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories relating to the field.
- Investigate a substantial body of contemporary security literature relating to insurgency.
- Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments cogently and coherently.
- Model research skills, particularly the ability to select and integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to evaluate their significance and relevance and synthesise the material in order to present findings logically, lucidly and rationally.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Essay | 15% | Week 3 (details on iLearn) |
| Annotated Bibliographies | 45% | Weeks 4, 7 and 8 |
| Research Paper | 40% | Week 11 (details on iLearn) |
Introductory Essay
Due: Week 3 (details on iLearn)
Weighting: 15%
For details on this assignment please refer to the unit iLearn site
A detailed marking matrix for this assignment is available to enrolled students on the unit iLearn site.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse selected insurgencies and evaluate their causes and characteristics.
- Engage with the field of security through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories relating to the field.
- Investigate a substantial body of contemporary security literature relating to insurgency.
- Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments cogently and coherently.
- Model research skills, particularly the ability to select and integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to evaluate their significance and relevance and synthesise the material in order to present findings logically, lucidly and rationally.
Annotated Bibliographies
Due: Weeks 4, 7 and 8
Weighting: 45%
This assignment consists of three parts and involves the writing and submission of three annotated bibliographies for each part (a total of 9)
For details on this assignment please refer to the unit iLearn site.
A detailed marking matrix for this assignment is available to enrolled students on the unit iLearn site.
A guide on the preparation of annotated bibliographies is also available on the unit iLearn site.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse selected insurgencies and evaluate their causes and characteristics.
- Evaluate counter insurgency campaigns in order to review the nature and outcomes achieved.
- Engage with the field of security through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories relating to the field.
- Investigate a substantial body of contemporary security literature relating to insurgency.
- Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments cogently and coherently.
- Model research skills, particularly the ability to select and integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to evaluate their significance and relevance and synthesise the material in order to present findings logically, lucidly and rationally.
Research Paper
Due: Week 11 (details on iLearn)
Weighting: 40%
For details on this assignment please refer to the unit iLearn site
A detailed marking matrix for this assignment is available to enrolled students on the unit iLearn site.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse selected insurgencies and evaluate their causes and characteristics.
- Evaluate counter insurgency campaigns in order to review the nature and outcomes achieved.
- Critique the impact of non-state actors and influence drivers on modern insurgency campaigns.
- Engage with the field of security through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories relating to the field.
- Investigate a substantial body of contemporary security literature relating to insurgency.
- Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments cogently and coherently.
- Model research skills, particularly the ability to select and integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to evaluate their significance and relevance and synthesise the material in order to present findings logically, lucidly and rationally.
Delivery and Resources
UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
- You should spend an average of at least 12 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to pre-recorded lectures prior to seminar discussions and reading weekly required readings detailed in iLearn.
- Internal students are expected to attend all seminar sessions and external students are expected to contribute to on-line discussions.
- Students are required to submit assessment tasks 1 and 3 in order to pass the unit.
REQUIRED READINGS
- The citations for all the required readings for this unit are available to enrolled students students through the unit iLearn site, the CD reading list and at Macquarie University's Library EReserve site. Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed at the EReserve site.
RECOMMENDED READINGS
- Recommended readings will be posted to the unit iLearn site as Session 1 progresses.
- Students may consider obtaining a copy of the following book, Richards, D., and Mills, G., (eds) Victory Among People: Lessons from Countering Insurgency and Stabilising Fragile States, RUSI, London, 2011. Students have previously found downloading an electronic version on to an E-Book to be an effective means by which the book can be acquired.
TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED
- Personal PC and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
- The unit can only be accessed by enrolled students online through http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS
- All assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically. This will only happen through the unit iLearn site.
- Assessment tasks must be submitted either as a PDF or MS word document by the due date.
- All assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process.
- Assessment tasks must be submitted with as assessment coversheet incorporating a plagiarism declaration. A copy of the coversheet can be downloaded at: www.arts.mq.edu.au/current_students/postgraduate_coursework.
- The granting of extensions of up to one week are at the discretion of the unit convenor. Any requests for extensions must be made in writing before the due date for the submission of the assessment task. Extensions beyond one week are subject to special consideration. The policy for this is detailed under Policy and Procedures.
LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS
There is a penalty for the the late submission of assessment tasks. If an assignment is submitted late it will initially be marked as if it had been submitted on time. However, 5%of the weighting allocated for the assignment will then be deducted from the mark the student initially achieves in the assessment task for each day it is late. For example if the assessment task's weighting is 20, 1.00 mark per day will be deducted from the initial mark given per day it is late ie a task initially given 15/20 but which is submitted four days late will lose 4 x 1.00 marks. That means 15/20-4marks=11/20. It is this second mark which will be recorded in gradebook.
The same principle applies if a student seeks and is granted an extension and the assessment task is submitted later than the amended submission date.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at: http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
UniWISE provides:
- Online learning resources and academic skills workshops http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/
- Personal assistance with your learning & study related questions.
- The Learning Help Desk is located in the Library foyer (level 2).
- Online and on-campus orientation events run by Mentors@Macquarie.
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
Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/ses/.
IT Help
If you wish to receive IT help, we would be glad to assist you at http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the university's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students and it outlines what can be done.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Critically analyse selected insurgencies and evaluate their causes and characteristics.
- Evaluate counter insurgency campaigns in order to review the nature and outcomes achieved.
- Critique the impact of non-state actors and influence drivers on modern insurgency campaigns.
- Engage with the field of security through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories relating to the field.
- Investigate a substantial body of contemporary security literature relating to insurgency.
- Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments cogently and coherently.
- Model research skills, particularly the ability to select and integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to evaluate their significance and relevance and synthesise the material in order to present findings logically, lucidly and rationally.
Assessment tasks
- Introductory Essay
- Annotated Bibliographies
- Research Paper
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Critically analyse selected insurgencies and evaluate their causes and characteristics.
- Evaluate counter insurgency campaigns in order to review the nature and outcomes achieved.
- Critique the impact of non-state actors and influence drivers on modern insurgency campaigns.
- Engage with the field of security through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories relating to the field.
- Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments cogently and coherently.
- Model research skills, particularly the ability to select and integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to evaluate their significance and relevance and synthesise the material in order to present findings logically, lucidly and rationally.
Assessment tasks
- Introductory Essay
- Annotated Bibliographies
- Research Paper
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Critically analyse selected insurgencies and evaluate their causes and characteristics.
- Evaluate counter insurgency campaigns in order to review the nature and outcomes achieved.
- Critique the impact of non-state actors and influence drivers on modern insurgency campaigns.
- Engage with the field of security through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories relating to the field.
- Investigate a substantial body of contemporary security literature relating to insurgency.
- Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments cogently and coherently.
- Model research skills, particularly the ability to select and integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to evaluate their significance and relevance and synthesise the material in order to present findings logically, lucidly and rationally.
Assessment tasks
- Introductory Essay
- Annotated Bibliographies
- Research Paper
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Critically analyse selected insurgencies and evaluate their causes and characteristics.
- Evaluate counter insurgency campaigns in order to review the nature and outcomes achieved.
- Critique the impact of non-state actors and influence drivers on modern insurgency campaigns.
- Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments cogently and coherently.
- Model research skills, particularly the ability to select and integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to evaluate their significance and relevance and synthesise the material in order to present findings logically, lucidly and rationally.
Assessment tasks
- Introductory Essay
- Annotated Bibliographies
- Research Paper
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Critically analyse selected insurgencies and evaluate their causes and characteristics.
- Evaluate counter insurgency campaigns in order to review the nature and outcomes achieved.
- Critique the impact of non-state actors and influence drivers on modern insurgency campaigns.
- Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments cogently and coherently.
- Model research skills, particularly the ability to select and integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to evaluate their significance and relevance and synthesise the material in order to present findings logically, lucidly and rationally.
Assessment tasks
- Introductory Essay
- Annotated Bibliographies
- Research Paper
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Critically analyse selected insurgencies and evaluate their causes and characteristics.
- Evaluate counter insurgency campaigns in order to review the nature and outcomes achieved.
- Critique the impact of non-state actors and influence drivers on modern insurgency campaigns.
- Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments cogently and coherently.
- Model research skills, particularly the ability to select and integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to evaluate their significance and relevance and synthesise the material in order to present findings logically, lucidly and rationally.
Assessment tasks
- Introductory Essay
- Annotated Bibliographies
- Research Paper