Students

PICT320 – Ethics of Security

2017 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Brian Cuddy
Level 2, Australian Hearing Hub
Tutor
Rifaie Tammas
Level 2, Australian Hearing Hub
Tutor
Joanne Jousif
Level 2, Australian Hearing Hub
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(48cp at 100 level or above including (PICT103 and PICT202)) or (admission to BSecStud and 48cp at 100 level or above including (24cp in PICT units including PICT310))
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This course canvasses some of the major ethical, moral, and legal paradigms of thought within the field of Security Studies, and it considers how those paradigms might inform our approach to a number of controversial and consequential questions of security policy and practice. Through both historical and contemporary case studies, students will examine and evaluate the ethical dimensions of various security-related issues such as the recourse to war, humanitarian intervention, human rights, wartime conduct, interrogation and torture, the use of particular (e.g., nuclear) weapons, intelligence and surveillance, and development assistance. The unit will also include a practical component involving engagement with industry professionals, during which students will have the opportunity to apply the insights they have developed to one or more current security-related issues.

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:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the major ethical, moral, and legal paradigms of thought within the field of Security Studies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner to challenging questions of security policy and practice.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ethical and professional standards expected of those working in the security sector, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner, including during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theory of teamwork and project management, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of career development and job application strategies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their reflective exercises.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online Test 10% No Week 4
Policy Memo 10% No Week 8
PACE Project 60% No Week 5 (Plan); Week 12 (Final)
Reflective Exercises 10% No Various; Week 13 (Final)
Active Engagement 10% No Weekly

Online Test

Due: Week 4
Weighting: 10%

An online test will be administered in Week 4 to assess knowledge and understanding of the unit materials (including lectures, readings, and other resources) assigned up to that point, and to provide some formative feedback to students prior to census date.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the major ethical, moral, and legal paradigms of thought within the field of Security Studies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner to challenging questions of security policy and practice.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ethical and professional standards expected of those working in the security sector, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner, including during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theory of teamwork and project management, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their PACE activity.

Policy Memo

Due: Week 8
Weighting: 10%

A 1,000 word policy memo addressed to a high-level Australian policy-maker who needs to make a decision on a controversial topic will be due in Week 8. The memo will identify and analyze the various factors--including ethical factors--that should inform the policy-maker’s decision, and recommend a particular course of action. In order to mimic the time constraints and work pressures of professional lie, the topic of the memo will be provided on iLearn only 48 hours prior to the memo falling due.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the major ethical, moral, and legal paradigms of thought within the field of Security Studies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner to challenging questions of security policy and practice.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ethical and professional standards expected of those working in the security sector, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner, including during the course of their PACE activity.

PACE Project

Due: Week 5 (Plan); Week 12 (Final)
Weighting: 60%

Ethics of Security is a Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) unit. You will be placed in a small team of students and assigned to work on a project set by a partner organisation from the public, private, or not-for-profit sector. Your team will mostly work independently, but a mentor from your partner organisation will be available to help guide you through the project. A project plan (10%) laying out how your team intends to approach the project will be due in Week 5, and the final results of your project will be delivered as both a written report (30%) and an oral presentation (20%) in Week 12 (unless your PACE mentor sets a different due date). More information on PACE for students is available at www.pace.mq.edu.au.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the major ethical, moral, and legal paradigms of thought within the field of Security Studies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner to challenging questions of security policy and practice.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ethical and professional standards expected of those working in the security sector, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner, including during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theory of teamwork and project management, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their PACE activity.

Reflective Exercises

Due: Various; Week 13 (Final)
Weighting: 10%

A number of short reflective exercises will be assigned during the course of the session, culminating in an assessed reflective task due in Week 13. These exercises will encourage students to reflect on both their past and future, including: what knowledge and skills they have learned over the course of the unit, and over the course of their program of study more generally; how they might apply their knowledge and skills beyond a university setting; how they work with others; what their core values are, and how these values will inform their professional lives; what contribution they made to their PACE partner organisation; and what their career goals are and how they might best be achieved.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ethical and professional standards expected of those working in the security sector, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner, including during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theory of teamwork and project management, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of career development and job application strategies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their reflective exercises.

Active Engagement

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%

Active engagement by students will increase the unit's value as an exercise (both individual and collective) in critical thinking, analysis, and communication. Internal students will demonstrate active engagement in tutorials; external students will demonstrate it by contributing to online activities. Grades are dependent on criteria such as (but not limited to) the quality of the engagement with unit materials, new lines of inquiry posed, and engagement with peers and the teaching staff.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the major ethical, moral, and legal paradigms of thought within the field of Security Studies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner to challenging questions of security policy and practice.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ethical and professional standards expected of those working in the security sector, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner, including during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theory of teamwork and project management, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of career development and job application strategies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their reflective exercises.

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.
  • Internal students who registered for the in-class lecture option are expected to attend all lectures, and external students (and those internal students who registered for the iLecture option) are expected to listen to lectures online.
  • In most cases students are required to attempt and submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.

 

REQUIRED READINGS

  • There is one required book for this unit, which you can obtain from the Macquarie University Co-op bookstore or an online retailer:
    • Michael Walzer, Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations, Fifth Edition (New York: Basic Books, 2015 [1977]).
  • The citations for all other 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 Disruptions Policy. Extensions will not in normal circumstances be granted by unit conveners or tutors, but must be lodged through Disruption to Study: http://www.students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/manage_your_study_program/disruption_to_studies/.

 

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).
  • The same principle applies if an extension is granted and the assignment is submitted later than the amended date.

 

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.

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://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

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.

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

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the major ethical, moral, and legal paradigms of thought within the field of Security Studies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner to challenging questions of security policy and practice.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Test
  • Policy Memo
  • PACE Project
  • Active Engagement

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

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the major ethical, moral, and legal paradigms of thought within the field of Security Studies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner to challenging questions of security policy and practice.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ethical and professional standards expected of those working in the security sector, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner, including during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theory of teamwork and project management, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of career development and job application strategies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their reflective exercises.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Test
  • Policy Memo
  • PACE Project
  • Reflective Exercises
  • Active 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

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ethical and professional standards expected of those working in the security sector, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner, including during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theory of teamwork and project management, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of career development and job application strategies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their reflective exercises.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Test
  • Policy Memo
  • PACE Project
  • Reflective Exercises
  • Active Engagement

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 outcome

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the major ethical, moral, and legal paradigms of thought within the field of Security Studies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner to challenging questions of security policy and practice.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Test
  • Policy Memo
  • PACE Project
  • Active Engagement

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

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the major ethical, moral, and legal paradigms of thought within the field of Security Studies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner to challenging questions of security policy and practice.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ethical and professional standards expected of those working in the security sector, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner, including during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of career development and job application strategies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their reflective exercises.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Test
  • Policy Memo
  • PACE Project
  • Reflective Exercises
  • Active Engagement

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 outcome

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the major ethical, moral, and legal paradigms of thought within the field of Security Studies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner to challenging questions of security policy and practice.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Test
  • Policy Memo
  • PACE Project
  • Active Engagement

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 outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ethical and professional standards expected of those working in the security sector, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner, including during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theory of teamwork and project management, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of career development and job application strategies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their reflective exercises.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Test
  • Policy Memo
  • PACE Project
  • Reflective Exercises
  • Active Engagement

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

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the major ethical, moral, and legal paradigms of thought within the field of Security Studies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner to challenging questions of security policy and practice.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ethical and professional standards expected of those working in the security sector, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner, including during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theory of teamwork and project management, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their PACE activity.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Test
  • Policy Memo
  • PACE Project
  • Reflective Exercises
  • Active Engagement

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 outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the major ethical, moral, and legal paradigms of thought within the field of Security Studies, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner to challenging questions of security policy and practice.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate ethical and professional standards expected of those working in the security sector, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner, including during the course of their PACE activity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theory of teamwork and project management, and apply that knowledge in a considered and appropriate manner during the course of their PACE activity.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Test
  • Policy Memo
  • PACE Project
  • Reflective Exercises
  • Active Engagement