Australian Foreign Policy
UndergraduateLTU-POL3AAW2025
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 20 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 28 July 2025
- Price from
- $2,124
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Australian Foreign Policy
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of Australia's relations with selected countries and Australia's position in relation to issues explored in the subject such as the 'war on terror' and unauthorised arrivals.
- Demonstrate a broad and critical knowledge of the multiple sources and perspectives available for studying contemporary Australian foreign policy.
- Write critical reviews that demonstrate a coherent understanding of contemporary Australian foreign policy.
- Australia in International Affairs
- The Australia-US Alliance
- Australia and the Rise of China
- Australia and Japan
- Australia and Indonesia
- Australia and the South Pacific
- Australian Development Assistance
In this subject we survey the development of Australian foreign policy. We begin with an historical overview of foreign policy, highlighting the core concepts and themes required to interpret and evaluate the conduct of foreign affairs. We then survey the key issues in foreign policy-making and Australia's major foreign relations. Issues include: strategic culture, internationalism and dependence on 'great and powerful friends'. Relationships covered include the United States, China, Japan, Indonesia and the South Pacific. We conclude with an appraisal of recent opportunities and challenges, successes and failures, such as responding to the 'China Choice', interventions in the South Pacific and Australia's response to climate change.
- Reading exercises (Approx. 2000 words). A component of this activity is an early assessment task. (50%)
- 2,000-word essay Written feedback will be provided including an assessment rubric. (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
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- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 17
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 15
Entry requirements
Others
Prerequisites: Students must have completed 60 credit points of Level two subjects.
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed POL2AAW (Australian Foreign Policy) are ineligible to enrol in this subject .
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-AHS-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
Bachelor of Information Technology
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-CYS-DEG
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