This course will examine the origins of the drive for nuclear weapons, the history of the nuclear nonproliferation regime, and incentives and disincentives for nuclear proliferation and nonproliferation. Students will analyse current nuclear weapons states, “threshold” states, and states that purposefully chose to forego nuclear weapons development - as well as the importance of non-state actors who seek to influence these states. The course will also explore the contemporary disarmament debate to shed light on the major obstacles to nuclear disarmament and possible paths around them. Finally, students will evaluate future trends in nuclear politics, from the importance of regional efforts toward disarmament to the critical role civil society may play in influencing the global nuclear future.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Conduct historically-informed analysis of the different nuclear postures of those states that possess nuclear weapons.
- Critically examine how policymakers might be influenced by incentives and disincentives for both proliferation and nonproliferation.
- Dissect debates surrounding nuclear arms control and disarmament including the contemporary and likely future prospects for both.
- Make informed arguments about the best ways to use policy to reduce nuclear proliferation and encourage nuclear restraint.
- Assess the impacts of new technological developments and make informed judgements about their roles in in challenging the global nuclear order.
Indicative Assessment
- Tutorial participation (10) [LO 2,3,4,5]
- Mid-term quiz (15) [LO 1]
- Research Essay (2,500 words) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Final take-home examination (2,500 words) (35) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
This course comprises some 130 hours of activity over 12 weeks, including some 24 hours of lectures or an equivalent activity and some 12 hours of tutorials or equivalent activity. The course comprises a maximum of 6k words of assessment or the equivalent. Please note this is a general guide, averaged over the semester and the final hours ultimately depend on the individual's ability in reading and writing
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
TBA
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $5820 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.