Overview

This unit introduces students to foundational and contemporary approaches to security. It covers a range of theoretical frameworks and incorporates case studies to develop critical analysis with past and contemporary security issues.

Requisites

Prerequisites

50 credit points

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-March-2026
31-May-2026
Last self-enrolment date
15-March-2026
Census date
31-March-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
21-April-2026
Results released date
07-July-2026

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Analyse, understand, and compare the key assumptions and outcomes of different theories of international security
  • Contrast traditional concepts of security with non-traditional security problems
  • Critically apply concepts and theories of security to case studies
  • Evaluate global security problems from a range of differing perspectives

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Lecture		1.00 12 weeks 12
On-campus
Class		2.00 12 weeks 24
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		9.50 12 weeks 114
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Major EssayIndividual 40 - 50% 1,2,3,4 
Minor EssayIndividual 30% 1,2,3,4 
PresentationIndividual 10 - 20% 1,2,4 

Content

  • Theories and concepts of international security
  • Realist traditions of security
  • Liberal traditions of security
  • Security and political economy
  • Identity and norms in global security
  • Traditional and non-traditional security threats
  • Methodological questions and critical perspectives

 

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.