Australia’s Foreign Policy in the Indo-Pacific

Undergraduate | 2026

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Area/Catalogue
POLI 1003
Course ID icon
Course ID
201079
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
1
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This course introduces students to Australia's foreign and security policies and the key domestic and international debates that shape them. It focuses on Australia's interests in its primary area of geostrategic focus, the Indo-Pacific, which bridges the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Using theoretical approaches from both International Relations and Foreign Policy Analysis, this course aims to equip students to critically analyse the challenges and opportunities open to Australia when pursuing its foreign and security interests in this region. Students will examine the concept of the Indo-Pacific, considering whether it describes a coherent strategic, economic and cultural region and questioning why Australia has chosen to focus its strategic policy on this region. They will then consider the interests of key regional powers, including the United States, China, Japan, India and Indonesia, as well as key regions, the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia, and evaluate how these affect Australia’s interests. The non-traditional and transnational dimensions of security will also be examined, including terrorism, piracy, transnational crime, human security and environmental challenges. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to critically examine how Australian foreign and security policy is made and how Australia pursues its interests in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. 

  • Conceptual and Theoretical Foundations
  • Multilateralism and Minilateralism
  • Old and Emerging Foreign and Security Policy Challenges

Course learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of Australia’s foreign and security policies and the key domestic and international debates that shape them
  • Understand and use theoretical approaches from both International Relations and Foreign Policy Analysis
  • Critically evaluate how Australian foreign and security policy is made based on research of primary and secondary sources
  • Communicate their analysis of Australian foreign and security policy in written and verbal forms to diverse audiences

Assessment

Critical Analysis, Persuasive Piece, Essay, Interactive Questions