Students
PICX110 – Contemporary Security Challenges
2016 – SP3 OUA
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Senior Lecturer
Michael Cohen
241
by appointment
Elyse Wood
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|---|---|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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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 provides an introduction to the broad range of issues which constitute security challenges in the twenty-first century. It covers issues ranging from individuals' basic needs, the protection of organisations and sensitive information, national security and international issues.
The unit introduces a risk-based framework and highlights the multidimensional and often global nature of many existing and emergent security challenges. This informs further units which take an all-hazards approach to security issues, with a particular focus on the relationship between security actors and risk prioritisation.
All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au
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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:
- Identify key security challenges in the contemporary national and international security field.
- Classify security issues as risks, threats or vulnerabilities using key national security concepts.
- Identify key stakeholders and actors in the field of security studies, such as states, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, non-state actors, commercial entities, media outlets and individuals.
- Evaluate contemporary debates about main national and international security issues.
- Differentiate between traditional and emergent threats
General Assessment Information
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due | Groupwork/Individual | Short Extension | AI Approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Quizzes (x4) | 20% | Sept. 9, 30, Oct. 28, Nov. 25 | No | ||
| Issue Briefing (Vodcast) | 10% | Friday September 26 | No | ||
| Risk Report | 40% | Friday November 7 | No | ||
| Take Home Exam | 30% | November 21-23 | No |
Online Quizzes (x4)
Due: Sept. 9, 30, Oct. 28, Nov. 25
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:
Four multiple choice quizzes to be completed online via iLearn.
Due dates: Weeks 2 (September 9-10), 5 (September 30-October 1), 9 (October 28-29) and 13 (November 25-26)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify key security challenges in the contemporary national and international security field.
- Classify security issues as risks, threats or vulnerabilities using key national security concepts.
- Identify key stakeholders and actors in the field of security studies, such as states, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, non-state actors, commercial entities, media outlets and individuals.
- Evaluate contemporary debates about main national and international security issues.
- Differentiate between traditional and emergent threats
Issue Briefing (Vodcast)
Due: Friday September 26
Weighting: 10%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:
5 minute video briefing on a contemporary security issue.
Due dates: Friday September 26
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify key security challenges in the contemporary national and international security field.
- Classify security issues as risks, threats or vulnerabilities using key national security concepts.
- Identify key stakeholders and actors in the field of security studies, such as states, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, non-state actors, commercial entities, media outlets and individuals.
- Evaluate contemporary debates about main national and international security issues.
- Differentiate between traditional and emergent threats
Risk Report
Due: Friday November 7
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:
2,000 word report on a selected security issue.
Due date Friday November 7
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify key security challenges in the contemporary national and international security field.
- Classify security issues as risks, threats or vulnerabilities using key national security concepts.
- Identify key stakeholders and actors in the field of security studies, such as states, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, non-state actors, commercial entities, media outlets and individuals.
- Evaluate contemporary debates about main national and international security issues.
- Differentiate between traditional and emergent threats
Take Home Exam
Due: November 21-23
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:
1,000 word take-home examination. The take-home exam requires short written answers to any four questions from the list provided.
The take home will be released for 48 hours.
Date released November 21, Due Date November 23
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify key security challenges in the contemporary national and international security field.
- Classify security issues as risks, threats or vulnerabilities using key national security concepts.
- Identify key stakeholders and actors in the field of security studies, such as states, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, non-state actors, commercial entities, media outlets and individuals.
- Evaluate contemporary debates about main national and international security issues.
- Differentiate between traditional and emergent threats
Delivery and Resources
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, 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
- There are two required readings, both available from the bookstore and university library. Karen Mingst and Jack Snyder, Essential Readings in World Politics (5th edition, 2014) and Paul D. Williams Security Studies: An Introduction (2nd edition, 2013).
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.
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.
- Assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process.
LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS
- If an assignment is submitted late, 5% of the available mark will be deducted for each day (including weekends) the paper is late.
- For example, if a paper is worth 20 marks, 1 mark will be deducted from the grade given for each day that it is late (i.e. a student given 15/20 who submitted 4 days late will lose 4 marks = 11/20).
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.
STAFF AVAILABILITY
- Department staff will endeavor 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.
Learning and Teaching Activities
Video Lectures
Workshops
Weekly Chat Sessions
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:
- were serious, unexpected and unavoidable
- were beyond your control
- caused substantial disruption to your academic work
- substantially interfered with your otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of the unit requirements
- 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:
- Visit Ask MQ and use your OneID to log in
- Fill in your relevant details
- 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
- 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. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of 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/support/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.
Changes from Previous Offering
N/A