This course examines the linkages between environmental conflicts and human security. The global rise in conflicts associated with control of natural resources (water, food, energy resources), has exposed the tensions between traditional notions of security and human-centred security concerns. Students will conduct in-depth analyses of cases of environmental conflicts around the world in order to identify the key actors, their projected values and interests, as well as the implications of different alternatives from a human security perspective. While the course highlights the politics behind conflicts, it includes contributions from other disciplines and fields. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. identify and explain how environmental conflicts and human security are inter-related;
2. analyse the tensions between interests and values of a diversity of actors involved in contemporary conflicts over resource access;
3. demonstrate knowledge of a specific case of conflict, through the application of the concepts and analytical frameworks introduced in the course; and
4. identify the impact on human security of different alternatives for conflict resolution.

Research-Led Teaching

International Relations is a discipline with a breadth of perspectives and approaches. This course is but one way of approaching the emerging literature on the environment, human security, and conflict. Its structure and presentation have been (and will be) shaped by Dr. Frank’s research interests. This is fitting given ANU’s focus on research-led teaching.

Dr. Frank’s research focuses on how international politics affects domestic political violence and human rights practices. Specific areas of current interest include modelling the strategic dynamics of electoral violence, understanding the drivers of human trafficking flows, and exploring the domestic and international causes of civil conflict.

Research-led teaching is not simply about the research expertise that conveners are able to bring to a course, it also includes the ways in which courses’ skills acquisition and assessment are designed to enable students to acquire sound knowledge-acquisition skills. To this end, the course’s activities have been designed around reading comprehension as a skill central to political analysis. Evidence gathering is also a core research skill. To this end, students are alerted to a number of potential sources for information and evidence that can be useful for students’ research essays. Thoughtful analysis and presentation of research findings is a crucial core research skill, and therefore the course contains three writing assessments to provide students with an opportunity to practice those skills. 

Required Resources

There are no required textbooks for this course. All assigned readings will be made available on the course’s Wattle page, and they are also available online via the university library’s website or a quick Google Scholar search.

Recommended Resources

There are no additional costs associated with this course. 

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Workshops offer immediate feedback on your ideas and your understanding of course materials.
• The course convener is available to provide feedback on your essay plans prior to its due date.
• The course convener will provide written feedback on all written assignments on Wattle.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

The information provided is a preliminary Class Outline. A finalised version will be available on Wattle and will be accessible after enrolling in this course. All updates, changes and further information will be uploaded on the course Wattle site and will not be updated on Programs and Courses throughout the semester. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Course Convenor.

Additional referencing requirements

It is a requirement of this course that your essay conform to academic writing standards and referencing. The Chicago in-text, author-date referencing style is preferred. You may contact the ANU Academic Skills and Writing Centre for further advice. For details about both citation style please see the ANU style guide website at https://academicskills.anu.edu.au/resources/handouts/referencing-style-guides. 

Research quality assurance

The convener may ask to speak with you regarding your research for your essays (the process by which you gathered and analysed your research materials). These meetings are usually designed to help students improve their research skills and ensure their approach to research is of university standard. To this end, please keep all the notes, plans, drafts and research that you use for this essay.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction, course overview, and conflict
2	Economic development and economic instability
3	Political institutions and instability
4	Environmental change and scarcity
5	Population
6	Migration	Mid-term literature review & proposal
7	Water
8	Food
9	Natural Resources
10	Natural disasters
11	Domestic responses
12	International cooperation	Final essay

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial registration will open the Monday of Week 1. More information will be available on Wattle when available.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Literature review and proposal	30 %	1,3,4
Final Essay	40 %	1,2,3,4
Tutorial activities	20 %	2
Participation	10 %	1,2

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Value: 10%

Participation marks will be based upon evidence of having done the assigned readings, evidence of having thought about the issues, contribution and participation in lecture and tutorial, and consideration and respect for other class members. 

Examination(s)

There is no examination in this class.

Assessment Task 1

Literature review and proposal

Due date: Friday of Week 6 at 3pm.

Word limit: 1,500 words

Value: 30%

You are to locate research articles on your desired topic. You are then to write a 1,500-word review of these articles and a proposal for your final paper that builds on this literature. Now that you are familiar with the relevant literature on your topic, you can begin to ask your own research questions and answer them with the appropriate research methodology. The proposal section is a way for you to map out your approach to the final paper and receive feedback and suggestions from the course convener on this approach. Remember your assessment is only 1,500 words in length, so your aim should be to demonstrate your understanding in as clear and concise a manner as possible. Papers should be submitted in Microsoft Word format to Turnitin on the course’s Wattle page.

Rubric for this assessment

• Topic (20%): The literature review and proposal identifies a relevant and suitable topic and clearly demonstrates why it constitutes an important concern in contemporary political science.
• Research question (20%): The proposal clearly states the research question being examined.
• Argument (20%): The proposal clearly states the argument that the author thinks answers the proposed question.
• Evidence (20%): The proposal clearly outlines appropriate sources to be used in evaluating the paper’s argument.
• Structure, citation, & errors (20%): The essay has clear topic sentences, is well structured, and paragraphs are clearly organised. The paper’s footnotes, references, and bibliography are properly set out. The essay has clearly been proof-read and drafted and contains no/few grammatical errors.

Assessment Task 2

Final Essay

Due date: The first Friday of finals week.

Word limit: 2,500-3,000 words

Value: 40%

This essay is the culmination of your studies in this class. It represents the final product of research conducted over the course of the semester. A discussion of final essays and possible topics will be included during workshops over the course of the semester. 

Rubric for final essay

• Topic (20%): The proposal identifies a relevant and suitable topic and clearly demonstrates why it constitutes an important concern in contemporary political science.
• Research question (20%): The proposal clearly states the research question being examined.
• Argument (20%): The proposal clearly states the argument that the author thinks answers the proposed question.
• Evidence (20%): The proposal clearly outlines appropriate sources to be used in evaluating the paper’s argument.
• Structure, citation, & errors (20%): The essay has clear topic sentences, is well structured, and paragraphs are clearly organised. The paper’s footnotes, references, and bibliography are properly set out. The essay has clearly been proof-read and drafted and contains no/few grammatical errors.

My research paper writing guide (along with the resources mentioned in the descriptions of the previous two writing assignments) are available on Wattle. There are a number of other resources available online. Some guide you will come across may be geared towards graduate students but most important principles are transferrable.

Assessment Task 3

Tutorial activities

Due Date: Weekly throughout the semester

Value: 20%

Each week students will complete tutorial activities individually and in groups.

Assessment Task 4

Participation

Value: 10%

Participation marks will be based upon evidence of having done the assigned readings, evidence of having thought about the issues, contribution and participation in lecture and tutorial, and consideration and respect for other class members. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

All marks and feedback on your writing will be available on Turnitin. 

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Students may resubmit their assignments on Turnitin before the due date if they are not happy with their textmatching report. Turnitin allows only one resubmission per 24 hours. There are no other conditions under which assignments may be resubmitted. 

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students