The course considers the main security challenges in the Asia-Pacific - military & non-traditional - focusing on major debates over policy responses to them. The Asia-Pacific is the world's most economically dynamic region. It is also one of the world's worst hot-spots for a host of security problems: the rise of China is challenging American primacy in the Asia-Pacific, a key fixture since the end of World War II; on the Korean Peninsula, the threat of nuclear war is very real; and the region's rapacious and rapid economic development has generated or exacerbated a wide range of non-traditional security problems, such as pandemics, climate change and environmental degradation. This course considers the main security challenges in the Asia-Pacific - both military and non-traditional - focusing on major debates over policy responses to them. It seeks to equip students with the capacities to analyse security problems in the region and provide relevant policy advice.
The course considers the main security challenges in the Asia-Pacific - military & non-traditional - focusing on major debates over policy responses to them. The Asia-Pacific is the world’s most economically dynamic region. It is also one of the world’s worst hot-spots for a host of security problems: the rise of China is challenging American primacy in the Asia-Pacific, a key fixture since the end of World War II; on the Korean Peninsula, the threat of nuclear war is very real; and the region’s rapacious and rapid economic development has generated or exacerbated a wide range of non-traditional security problems, such as food insecurity, climate change and environmental degradation. This course seeks to equip students with the capacities to analyse security problems in the region and provide relevant policy advice.
The course will include a combination of lectures and seminars to provide students with keen insight into key policy debates and the challenges of policy formulation. It also incorporates completion of the UQ edX Edge Online Module: Professional Writing for Government into the seminar programme, developed by Dr Prue Brown. This self-paced online module is designed to support students with their Policy Writing Brief assessment. The course is ideal for students who are seeking to gain employment in the government and NGO sector, where report and policy brief/recommendation writing is a highly desirable skill.
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
POLS2204, POLS2209
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
POLS2206
Dr Xuwan Ouyang graduates from University of Queensland in 2024. Her research interests include Chinese foreign policy in relation to peacebuilding, peacekeeping, international intervention and humanitarian emergency response.
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Lectures
This course comprises 12 lectures (approximately one hour each) starting in Week 1. Lectures will be recorded. These are currently timetabled for Tuesdays at 10am in 81-313 - Otto Hirschfeld Building, Learning Theatre. Please check for any changes.
Tutorials
This course also comprises 8 x 2-hour face-to face seminars on Wednesdays 8am -10am starting in Week 2 in 39A-208 - General Purpose North 3, Collaborative Room. Please check the timetable as seminars do not occur every week.
The seminars programme includes two specialist Policy Writing Workshops facilitated by Dr Prudence Brown.
Seminars are not recorded and students should attend as they are directly related to support the Policy Brief Writing assessment.
This course aims to introduce participants to advanced levels of political and policy analysis in the field of Asia-Pacific security. Having successfully completed the course, participants will have learnt to negotiate the analysis of evidence, arguments, and prescriptions from inter- and trans-disciplinary sources for the purpose of producing convincing, integrated analyses of contemporary problems and issues in Asia Pacific security and associated policy challenges.
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Critically analyse learning materials, interrogating their assumptions and limitations, and how they can be incorporated into policy relevant outputs.
LO2.
Apply methods and theories of security and international relations to understand and/or examine contemporary issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
LO3.
Examine contemporary security issues in the Asia Pacific region, research and analyse diverse scholarly and policy relevant materials, and develop innovative written analyses and solutions to those issues.
LO4.
Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the cultural context in which course materials and disciplinary debates take place, and awareness of alternative (Indigenous and regional) perspectives that exist in the Asia-Pacific policy community.
LO5.
Wield intellectual tools and skills that will make you more competitive in your future professional activities in a variety of fields and positions, including the ethical use of AI tools where appropriate.
LO6.
Understand, and apply, the norms of policy writing and academic conduct.
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution | Course Engagement | 40% |
Reading reflection (Tuesday at 4pm on the week of the relevant seminar) |
| Essay/ Critique | Policy Research Report and Brief (4000) words | 50% |
18 October (Friday) at 4pm |
| Practical/ Demonstration | Completion of Online module | 10% |
1/10/2024
If a medical or other circumstance means you are unable to complete the online module by the due date, please contact the Course Coordinator directly to discuss before the deadline. |
Reading reflection (Tuesday at 4pm on the week of the relevant seminar)
Students are expected to participate in seminar discussions and come prepared having done all the required readings and preparation activities for the tasks outlined in the ECP for each week.
Queries on the above, should be directed to Course Coordinator, Dr Xuwan Ouyang in the first instance uqxouya1@uq.edu.au
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
If a medical or other circumstance means you are unable to submit a reading reflection by the due date, please contact the Course Coordinator directly before the date of the seminar.
18 October (Friday) at 4pm
Students will write a 4000-word Policy Research Report and Brief (policy recommendations) on a contemporary Asia Pacific security policy challenge. This will be from a list of choices provided by the course co-ordinator.
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
You may be able to apply for an extension.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Unless an extension is granted, penalties for late submission apply. Students are penalised 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item for every calendar day that an assessment item is late.
Marks will be deducted each day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point the submitted item will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is triggered from the time the submission is due.
1/10/2024
If a medical or other circumstance means you are unable to complete the online module by the due date, please contact the Course Coordinator directly to discuss before the deadline.
10% participation marks will be allocated for the completion of the UQ EdEX Online Module: Professional Writing for Government. Final date for completion of this Module to obtain the 10% is Tuesday 1st October 2024.
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
The submission link and information will be detailed in blackboard
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is assigned for marks between 0-19.5% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is assigned for marks between 20-45%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: This grade is assigned for marks between 45-49.5%. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is assigned for marks between 50-64.5%. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is assigned for marks between 65-74.5%. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is assigned for marks between 75-84.5%. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is assigned for marks between 85-100%. |
Grades will be awarded on the following basis:
1. Fail 1 - 19%
2. Fail 20 - 44%
3. Fail 45 – 49%
4. Pass 50 - 64 %
5. Credit 65 - 74 %
6. Distinction 75 - 84 %
7. High Distinction 85 - 100 %
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Word Length Penalty
Unless otherwise indicated, in the case of written submissions with a specified word count, you are given a +10% leeway on the upper word limit. If your written submission is over this leeway limit, it will attract a 10 percentage point penalty. For example, if your essay is 1,500 words, you may write up to 1,650 before attracting a word count penalty. If your essay exceeds the upper word limit, it will attract a 10% word count penalty. Therefore, if your essay is worth 40 marks, you will lose 4 marks from your allotted grade. Unless specified, penalties only apply to exceeding the word length, not for failure to write a sufficient amount.
Students should note:
• The Author-date in-text referencing system will count toward the word length;
• References in the Footnote referencing system will not count toward the word length. If you are using footnotes, any content included in footnotes beyond the specific text reference will count towards the word length.
Marking Criteria/Rubric
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Essay Guide
The School of Political Science and International Studies Essay Guide can be downloaded from the School’s Student Support webpage.
The Guide sets out guidelines you should follow in preparing written assignments.
Essay Writing Assistance
The School of Political Science and International Studies schedules regular “drop-in” sessions designed to provide one-on-one advice and assistance in essay planning and writing.
There is no need to make an appointment and you are encouraged to bring your essay with you.
The day and time of these sessions will be finalized at the beginning of each semester and published on the Student Support webpage.
Student Services
Student services offer a variety of short courses during the semester which will help you improve your study, research and writing skills and thus your academic performance in this course.
Library Resources
UQ Library offers training in software, assignment writing, research skills, and publishing and research management.
The University’s library holdings for Political Science and International Studies are primarily located in the Central Library.
There is a help desk in the Library. Students are also welcome to contact the BEL/HASS Librarians for assistance.
Email: librarians@library.uq.edu.au
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Lecture |
Week 1: Course Introduction In the first week we will introduce the major these of the course and provide an overview of the assessment and the self-paced UQ edX Learning Module: Professional Writing for Government. We will also discuss major debates relating to security in the Asia-Pacific and how to engage in these critically. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 2: Asia-Pacific, East Asia, or Indo-Pacific? In this week, we examine the politics of region-making and explain the emergence of contending visions of regional order in Asia. We explore some of the major policy implications of these potential changes and what it means for specific countries in the region. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 1:Policy Writing Workshop 1 In this first Writing Workshop, Dr Prudence Brown will facilitate some ice-breaking exercises to help us think about what are some of the main security challenges facing the Asia-Pacific Region. Dr Prudence Brown, will then introduce the core features of the self-paced online EdX Course, Professional Writing for Government, and outline strategies to work your way through the material. We also introduce and discuss the Policy Brief Assessment project and topics you can choose from. The session will involve group work and interactive exercises to help you start thinking about the differences between academic writing and professional writing for government and policy environments. The workshops are linked closely to assessment preparation. Workshops/seminars are NOT recorded and attendance will taken. Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 3: The US in Asia-Pacific Order In this lecture, we consider the pivotal significance of the US' engagement in the region. A critical consideration of the origins, function, evolution, and prospects of the US 'hub and spokes' system of regional alliances forms a core focus of this lecture. We will discuss the potential implications in the post Trump period, and new policy platforms from the Biden Administration. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 2: Case Study: US - China Relations This tutorial discusses following questions. Is the US a force for stability or instability in the region? Should states in the Asia-Pacific attempt to keep the US engaged, or not? How does China perceive the US role in the region? Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 4: China in the Asia-Pacific Order This lecture considers China's continuing rise as a regional economic and political power and evaluates the prospective significance of China's rise for the maintenance of regional peace and security. Is China a 'revisionist' power seeking to overturn the US-led order, or a 'status-quo' power content with growing within that order? Will the rise of China as a Great Power consolidate or destabilise regional peace and security? What are likely to be the most important points of friction between China and established Great Powers, and what policies should be implemented to best respond to the challenges posed by China's rise? Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
No Tutorial Today Ekka Public Holiday |
|
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Lecture |
WEEK 5: Japan in the Asia-Pacific Order This lecture considers Japan's evolving contemporary security posture, taking into account its relations with major powers of Northeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific, such as the U.S., China, North Korea and South Korea, and Russia. It evaluates how Japan's security posture changed in the Cold War and the post-Cold War eras and examines various relevant concepts, such as the Yoshida Doctrine, comprehensive security and human security. We will discuss the role of the U.S.-Japan alliance, Japan's recent reinterpretation of the constitution and the concept of collective self-defence, as well as the significance of Japan's stance on territorial disputes in the Asia-Pacific. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 3: Japan's Security and Defence Policy In tutorial, we will discuss Japan's security and defence policy in the Asia-Pacific changed post 1989. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 6: The North Korean Nuclear Issue This lecture will focus on some of the key issues surrounding nuclear proliferation in the region paying special attention to North Korea.What accounts for North Korea's persistent drive to acquire nuclear weapons? Is North Korea a security seeker, or are its motives for acquiring nuclear weapons more belligerent in nature? Why have regional actors been so consistently frustrated in their efforts to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program? Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 4: Security on the Korean Peninsula What are the options available to regional policy makers to manage North Korea's nuclear weapons programme? In the tutorial, we will discuss different policy alternatives and future scenarios. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 7: Policy Challenges of NTS While the Asia-Pacific has largely avoided military confrontation since the late 1970s, the region appears beset by a wide range of 'non-traditional' security issues - environmental degradation and climate change, infectious disease, transnational terrorism and organised crime, to name but a few. These problems have risen to the top of states' and multilateral organisations' security agendas, but are seen to pose distinct policy challenges. In particular, they are seen as requiring close international cooperation, even cross-border harmonisation, as they are beyond the capacity of individual states to resolve. But regional states are seen as attached to a traditional conception of national sovereignty, undermining cooperation. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 8: ASEAN as a Regional Security Actor The countries of Southeast Asia have progressed far further than their North Asian or South Asian counterparts in constructing durable regional security institutions. This lecture explores the origins and evolution of ASEAN, before critically evaluating the significance of regional security institutions in helping to maintain regional order. In what ways, if any, has ASEAN contributed to regional stability, and can it successfully adapt to the non-traditional security threats now confronting SE Asia? Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 5: Case Study - South China Sea Dispute The South China Sea is often seen as one of Asia's worst hotspots, where war, including between the great powers, is a realistic prospect. In this tutorial we will examine possible scenarios in the SCS and discuss ways of navigating the conflict, including ASEAN and its utility in conflict mitigation and resolution. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 9: No Lecture. Reading and Writing Week |
Mid Sem break (23 Sep - 29 Sep) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
MID-SEMESTER BREAK |
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 10: Food Security The Asian region has made unprecedented gains in poverty reduction over the past decades. However, given ongoing domestic and international political challenges, the replacement of edible crops with crops for biofuels, as well as the threat of climate change, food security remains a significant concern for many governments. In 2008, food riots broke out in several countries as the price of rice and other basic dietary staples spiked. In this lecture we will discuss food security in Asia and efforts to protect the availability of food. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 6: Food Security Case Study Cambodia What causes food insecurity and how could it be addressed in Asia? In this tutorial we will do a case study of food security in Cambodia - exploring the nexus between water, food, livelihoods, and security. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 11: Myanmar and Security Challenges In this lecture, we review Myanmar's security challenges to Southeast Asia, including ethnic conflicts, domestic violence, and etc. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 7 - Policy Brief Workshop 2 In this second Writing Workshop, Dr Brown will work with students to help them move towards finalising their Policy Research Report and Brief. Dr. Brown reviews key tips and tricks to fine tune your major assessment. By this week, you should have finished the UQ edX Course on Professional Writing for Government, and you MUST bring a draft of your Policy Research Report to class. Attendance is highly recommended for assessment preparation. The Workshop is NOT recorded. Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 12: Australian and Asia-Pacific Security Some argue that US dominance has allowed Australia a 'holiday from strategy' for over four decades. But the underlying assumptions underpinning Australian security strategy have been challenged by the rise of China recently. In this lecture, we examine Australia's emerging strategic dilemmas and the debates surrounding these issues. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 8: Australian Security In this tutorial, we will discuss key defence and security challenges facing Australia and how are Australian policymakers responding? Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 13: Security Futures The final lecture will review the principal themes of the course. We will revisit the major security challenges examined during the semester, before then considering a range of alternative scenarios relating to the future of international order in the Asia-Pacific region. How best can the region prepare for future security challenges? Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.