CISS6002: Semester 2, 2023

University home

Library

Current students

Staff intranet

Find an event

Give

Current students

Units CISS6002 Semester 2 2023 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

CISS6002: Strategy and Security in the Asia-Pacific

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This unit focuses on the strategic dynamics of the Asia-Pacific region and the security challenges it faces. It combines a grounding in International Relations theory, and concepts of strategy and security, with a series of dedicated country profiles. Issues such as great power rivalry, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, piracy, and environmental degradation are all considered. The overall objective of the unit is to engage with issues and arguments about strategy and security that relate specifically to the Asia-Pacific region. Teaching and learning take place via a combination of lectures, student-led seminars, and independent research.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	CISS6002
Academic unit	Government and International Relations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Minglu Chen, minglu.chen@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	George Boone, george.boone@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Essay 2 essay	40%	Formal exam period Due date: 13 Nov 2023 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	class presentation presentation	10%	Multiple weeks	30 mins (500wd equivalent)
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	class particpation Active participation in the course	10%	Ongoing	ongoing
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay 1 essay	40%	Week 06 Due date: 08 Sep 2023 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Mid-semester break	Mid semester break	Independent study (3 hr)
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	China	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	The US	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Japan (presentations start)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	The Koreas	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	India	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Australia	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Southeast Asia	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Pacific Island Countries	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Russia	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Regional Organisations	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Crisis simulation game	Simulation laboratory (3 hr)
Week 13	Conclusions	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Principal textbooks (some chapters or entire BOOK may be available in the USYD library or on E-Res, but dont count on it)

David Shambaugh, International Relations of Asia, 3rd edition (New York: Rowman & Littlefield, 2022). Students may also use the 2014 edition, which is on E-Res in the USYD library
Robert Ayson, Asia’s Security, (London: Palgrave, 2015)
Joanne Wallis & Andrew Carr (eds.), Asia-Pacific Security: An Introduction, (Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2016)

The course will also draw on readings from the Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment series offered by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, which is available on E-Res.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate a critical understanding of security challenges facing the Asia-Pacific, drawing on resources within and beyond the region
LO2. apply and critique different concepts in the field of strategic/security studies
LO3. analyse and evaluate policy options in relation to Asia-Pacific security challenges
LO4. engage in critical analysis of security studies literature in order to differentiate between academic and policy writing
LO5. demonstrate a capacity for critical reflection so that the assumptions underpinning security concepts and policies can be effectively scrutinized
LO6. appreciate the changing nature of the frontiers of knowledge in the realm of strategic/security studies through research; initiate and conduct research in libraries, and using internet resources
LO7. communicate effectively in verbal, written, and group contexts to a professional standard.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect