This course provides a detailed investigation into the history, working and challenges experienced by Australia’s security and intelligence organisations. The course is designed to examine and contrast the varying roles and functions of the respective agencies as part of Australia’s national security apparatus in the context of its engagement in the Asia-Pacific region. The course considers how the various intelligence and security functions and organisations have evolved and how they have interacted with society and how they have helped shape Australia’s engagement in the Asia-Pacific.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Identify and demonstrate techniques of intelligence analysis to support critical thinking and analysis.
- Understand the relationship of intelligence analysis to decision-makers.
- Describe the components, history and role of the Australian National Intelligence Community (NIC) within Australia's broader national security community.
- Critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the NIC.
- Apply technical and historical knowledge of intelligence practices in an active and authentic learning environment of a crisis simulation.
Indicative Assessment
- Class participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Reading Journals (3% each - 400 words per week for 10 weeks) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Research Essay (1500 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Brief in preparation for Crisis Simulation activity (400-500 words) (10) [LO 2,3,4,5]
- Final Exam - Crisis Simulation Participation (4 hours long activity) (20) [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 6000 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.
Prescribed Texts
Key readings will be provided via Wattle
Majors
Minors
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2463 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |