What is the future of war, and how can we begin to critically interpret what are often contested and divergent imagined futures? Should understandings of past wars inform future war theorizing? How might emerging technologies shape the future of war? What is the future status of soldiers in war, and how might human-machine teams radically alter the character of war? Drawing on conventional and critical war studies literature, we will examine how new and emerging trends in war practices and technology development together impact the drivers and dynamics of contemporary international conflict. This course interrogates the future potential(s) of war, considering military, state, soldier, and civilian perspectives across shifting ideological, societal, and technological contexts. We will deploy critical methods to examine future wars in relation to ‘old’ and ‘new’ wars, combat domains, logistics, nuclear war, netcentric war, counterterrorism, algorithmic war, the return of great power rivalry and the politics of war memory and commemoration. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to critically challenge deterministic framings of futuristic war considering geopolitical and strategic factors, and thus will be better equipped to separate fact from fiction in futuristic imaginings of war.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Interpret and critically evaluate influential twentieth century theories of future war
Illustrate and differentiate the key concepts, challenges, and events that inform multiple perspectives on future war
- Propose, construct, and defend plausible future war scenarios
Estimate and critique the role of novel technologies in future war
- Demonstrate critical thinking in practice across verbal and written communication
Indicative Assessment
- Twentieth century futurist textual artefact critical review (1000 words) (20) [LO 1,5]
- Reading responses (1400 words) (20) [LO 2,4,5]
- Participation (10) [LO 2,5]
- Presentation (600 words) (10) [LO 2,5]
- Future War Analysis (3000 words) (40) [LO 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 requires 130 hours compromising seminars as well as associated preparation, independent study, and assessment time.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
Amoore, Louise., & Goede, M. de. (2008). Risk and the war on terror. Routledge.
Aradau, C., & Blanke, T. (2022). Algorithmic reason?: the new government of self and other. Oxford University Press.
Buzan, Barry. (1991). People, states and fear?: an agenda for international security studies in the post-cold war era (2nd ed.). Harvester Wheatsheaf.
Chamayou, Gregoire. (2015). Drone theory. Penguin Books.
De Landa, Manuel. (1991). War in the age of intelligent machines. Zone Books.
Duffield, Mark. (2014). Global governance and the new wars?: the merging of development and security (2nd ed.). Zed Books
Freedman, L. (2017). The future of war: a history (First edition.). Public Affairs.
Foucault, M. (2003). “Society must be defended”?: lectures at the Collège de France, 1975-76 (M. Bertani, A. Fontana, & F. Ewald, Eds.; D. Macey, Trans.; 1st edition.). Picador.
Grayson, K., & Guillaume, X. (Eds.). (2023). Security studies?: critical perspectives. Oxford University Press.
Jackson, R., & Lawler, P. (2005). Writing the war on terrorism?: language, politics and counter-terrorism. Manchester University Press.
Kaldor, Mary. (2007). New & old wars (2nd ed.). Stanford University Press.
Suchman, L. Alice. (2007). Human-machine reconfigurations (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
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 |
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.