Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Technology and Global Risk

Credit Points: 12.00

Important Information:

In 2024, this course is titled 'Introduction to Global Security'.

From 2025 this course is titled 'Technology and Global Risk'.


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

POLI1110

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Aiden Warren

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99253758

Course Coordinator Email: aiden.warren@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 37 Level 5 Room 26

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course provides you with foundational understanding of changing concepts and practices of global security and the emergence of new forms of technology. You will apply these concepts and practices in work integrated learning simulations, incorporating the writing of policy briefings, policy analysis and other ‘real world’ applications/simulations.  

Topics covered will include: the transition from ‘Old Wars’ to ‘New Wars,’ the advent of new and emerging technologies, global terrorism, transnational crime, humanitarian intervention, the re-emergence of great power politics, climate change, resource security, gender security, and lastly, health and pandemics.  

Traditional models of state-centric security will be contrasted with critical discourse that emerged out of the ashes of the Cold War, including human security, constructivism, post-structuralism, critical theory, gender approaches, and securitisation (to name a few).  You will consider differing t forms and conceptions of security in addressing global challenges drawing upon cases from the Middle East, Europe, the Indo-Pacific and Africa. Topics will also extend to debates and arm control challenges presented by emerging new technologies, including: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics; Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) the advent of Lethally Autonomous Weapons (LAWs), and cyber-security which all raise ethical questions about the use (and misuse) of power.   


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:  

PLO2: Navigate international complexity using disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge, practice and research. 
PLO3: Problem solve collaboratively and adaptively using linguistic, intercultural and digital skills.  
PLO4: Address challenges to international security, society and development in ways that are holistic, ethical and respectful of diverse knowledge systems. 


Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

  1. Demonstrate a political, historical and cultural understanding of both traditional and new sources of insecurity. 
  2. Apply theoretical findings to global security scenarios via a industry related scenarios and a ‘real world’ focus. 
  3. Assess the development of international security regimes. 
  4. Strengthen skills in critically analysing different security discourses. 
  5. Analyse, evaluate and write security policy. 


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning in this course takes place through twelve weekly lectorials. The incorporated lectures will introduce each topic, contextualise the set reading material, and highlight the political and security relevance of each issue by drawing on recent information from a variety of sources. The ‘tutorial’ component, which are stand alone and set apart from the lecture, provide an opportunity for added discussion of issues raised by the lecture and set readings, as well as an opportunity to discuss the assessments for this course. 


Overview of Learning Resources

You will be given access to a wide range of resources through a Course Reader or core textbook and also will be able to access a wide range of online learning tools and content for your course from via Canvas, and RMIT Library resources. These resources will include book chapters, journal articles, media articles, lecture notes, bibliographies for supplementary reading, video, and links to external websites. You will have the opportunity to contribute collectively to class resources by sharing your own research findings and sources with your peers.  

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the Canvas student portal.   

 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.  

Assessment Tasks 

Assessment Task 1 – Tutorial participation (10%), CLO1 

Assessment Task 2: Research Essay – 2250 words (50%), CLO1, CLO2, CLO3 

Assessment Task 3: Policy Briefing Papers  – 1750 words  (40%) CLO3, CLO4, CLO5 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.   

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.