Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University

The Bachelor of Security Analysis (Asia-Pacific) degree is a natural development from a 2001/02 Faculty of Asian Studies initiative, offered to undergraduate coursework students core courses in Security and Strategic Studies in the Asian Region. Since 2002, the Faculty has offered ‘Security Studies’ as a field of study in its Cognitive (non-language) Major.

The degree structure provides for intensive foundation training in security analysis in the Asia-Pacific context and significant language training in an Asian language. There is a flexible elective component that allows students to take further language courses or a major in another discipline relevant to their academic and vocational goals.

• You are encouraged to seek specific guidance, by appointment, with the Sub-Dean of the Faculty. Please contact the Faculty Secretary Support Officer Frank.Filardo@anu.edu.au to arrange an appointment.

Degree Outline

Normal completion time for the degree is three years. The structure features: ten courses on security and contemporary affairs (including core units in Strategic Studies); an Asian language sequence (four courses); thereafter, students are free to take unprescribed elective courses, which may include a further major in a relevant disciplinary area, from outside the Faculty of Asian Studies.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Security Analysis (Asia-Pacific) requires completion of 144 units (24 courses) including:

1. Core component: Ten approved core courses (60 units) giving a foundation in security analysis from Faculty of Asian Studies offerings or specifically identified cross-Faculty offerings;

2. Asian language component: An Asian language sequence comprising four courses (24 units) in an Asian language offered by the Faculty. Students planning to pursue the Faculty of Asian Studies Honours program, must take an Asian language major (eight courses);

3. Elective component: Ten courses (60 units) unprescribed. This allows a student the option to take a relevant major in another Faculty. It also allows the taking of further language courses. Students pursuing Honours must draw their additional four Asian language courses from this elective area.

Foundation in Security Analysis

The foundation in security analysis will constitute ten courses (60 units) in all, comprising:

1. First-year: All students will normally take the two first-year disciplinary courses ‘Individual and Society in Asia A’ and ‘Individual and Society in Asia B’. The tutorial program will have its own pedagogical integrity, relating both to the lecture program and the major themes of the degree.

2. Second / Later Year Courses: There are to be eight courses in all (48 units)

• Two of these courses will be Security and Strategic Studies A and Security and Strategic Studies B;

• A further six courses will come from the following indicative lists of Current Issues which may include:

Southeast Asia

• Buddhism
• Mainland Southeast Asia: Colonial & Post Colonial Predicaments
• Islamic Alternatives in Southeast Asia
• Windows onto Contemporary Vietnamese Society
• Chinese Southern Diaspora, The
• Indonesia: Politics, Society and Development
• Lies, Conspiracy and Propaganda
• Religion & Social Movements in SE Asia
• Burma / Myanmar: a country in Crisis
• Thailand in the Age of Globalisation
• The Future of East Timor
• State, Society and Politics in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines

North Asia (China / Japan / Korea)

• International Relations in NE Asia
• Modern Japanese Society
• Samurai Society and Social Control
• Japan and the World: Ideas in International Relations
• Lies, Conspiracy and Propaganda
• Modern Korea
• Society & Economy in China B: The People’s Republic
• Chinese Model in East and Southeast Asia
• North Korea: History and Politics
• Japanese Politics

South and West Asia

• Buddhism
• Politics in Central and West Asia
• Lies, Conspiracy and Propaganda
• New States of Eurasia: Emerging Issues in Politics and Security
• Religion and Politics in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh: 1858 to present
• India: the Emerging Giant

Regional Relations & General

• International Relations in NE Asia
• Chinese Southern Diaspora, The
• Engaging Asia : Working with Government
• Lies, Conspiracy and Propaganda
• New States of Eurasia: Emerging Issues in Politics and Security
• Religion and Politics in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh: 1858 to present
• Chinese Model in East and Southeast Asia
• State, Society and Politics in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines

Degree with Honours

Students wishing to progress to an Honours program (eg the Bachelor of Asian Studies (Hons)) will gain admission against existing selection criteria, but must possess an Asian language major.

Honours in Asian Studies pages provide comprehensive information about the Honours Program at the Faculty.

Careers

This degree provides students with the essential tools to initiate a career in this field or to pursue advanced studies in some of the Univesity’s elite postgraduate couses.

The degree provides a pathway to prestigious postgraduate studies programs in the ANU Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, the University’s new College of Diplomace, or other programs in specialist fields such as International Relations or East Asian, Southeast Asian or South Asian studies.

Major corporations and arms of government including the Department of Defence, the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have looked to ANU graduates for expertise on regional issues for many years. This degree provides graduates with training in security and risk analysis that will open up employment opportunities in the business sector as well as government.

You might also be interested to read a message from the Dean of the Faculty of Asian Studies in which he explains why Asian Studies is important, why study Asian Studies at ANU, and what are Asian Studies graduates' career prospects.

For a look at some Faculty of Asian Studies graduate stories go to Graduate Highlights.

For more information on careers see the ANU Careers Centre website.