Course Outline

INT257 Security in a Multispecies World

Course Coordinator:Stefanie Fishel (sfishel@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Security in a Multispecies World explores the interplay between environmental factors and the security of nations, communities, humans, and the nonhuman and examines the implications for security at local, national, and global levels. Through theory, case studies, and interdisciplinary analysis, students will gain an understanding of how environmental degradation, resource scarcity, and climate change can exacerbate conflicts, threaten livelihoods, and destabilise societies. Additionally, the course will explore strategies and frameworks for addressing these challenges and promoting sustainable security for all species.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus tutorial/workshop 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Learning materials – online 1hr Week 1 12 times
Online
Learning materials – online 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online tutorial/workshop 2hrs Week 1 10 times

Course Topics

Security Frameworks and Theories 

Environmental Security

Worldly Security

Multispecies Security 

Case Study Analysis

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Explain the origins and nature of security threats, both existing and potential. Knowledgeable
2 Apply key international security theories to explain the actions or inactions of actors within an international security context. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Engaged
3 Critically evaluate the nature and value of International Security and the challenges to it in the 21st Century Creative and critical thinker
4 Apply scholarly writing, research and reference practice in the field of Politics and International Relations. Empowered

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

A knowledge of political science and/or international relations

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

The student will take a five question quiz over the first three week readings to test for reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. It will be available on Canvas or in class during the fourth week of class. This will provide formative assessment and give feedback to the students on their ability to engage with course readings

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Portfolio Individual 25%
9x weekly 200-250-word Discussion Posts, Weeks 2-10
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Discussion Board
All 2 Case Study Individual 25%
800-1000 words
Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Oral and Written Piece Individual 50%
5-minute oral presentation during in-class round table discussion (5%); 1,500-2,000-word written submission (45%)
Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Portfolio
Goal:
The portfolio is designed to consolidate knowledge of key course concepts introduced through the weekly reading assignments. The discussion component helps students access the material they are learning in multiple ways and serves as an end-of-trimester reference for creating the final assessment.
Product: Portfolio
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Discussion Board posts to be completed online, based on in-class discussions and activities.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Effective engagement with and participation in tutorial activities, including interaction with the instructor and peers.
1 3
2
Demonstrate understanding of key theoretical frameworks and concepts through application of these to the actions (or inactions) of actors
3
3
Discussion Board posts are concise, appropriately supported with relevant material, and focused on key topics covered in class
1 2
4
Reading responses are concise and focused on the key topics covered in the class.
1 3 4
Generic Skills:
Communication, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Case Study
Goal:
Research a chosen security issue (in discussion with the instructor or assigned by the instructor) and write a case study addressing the main themes, including the application of relevant theories and concepts to an event in the international security realm.
Product: Case Study
Authorship Statement:
Format:
1000-1500 words - Submit the case study to Canvas. Note: The Case Study that students choose for this Task will also inform their Task 3 work.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
​​The essay paper will be assessed by the degree of achievement in the following areas: 
Finds and analyses a relevant case study for the aims of the class.
1
2
Correctly applies relevant international security theories and frameworks.
1
3
Multiple perspectives are presented and arguments made to support relevant position(s).
1 2 3
4
Scholarly and authoritative reference sources are used to directly support claims and arguments.
1 2
5
Demonstrates critical thinking, analysis and synthesis of argument.
3
6
Sentence and paragraph structures are clear and absent of grammatical and typographical errors.
4
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Policy Brief
Goal:
Provide a coherent and well-structured policy brief based on the scenario provided by the instructor. Emphasis is placed on the clarity and succinctness of the brief, which is essential in persuading the target audience of your key message. Policy briefs aim to be practical and well-researched to make timely, evidence-based recommendations.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This Policy Brief builds on case study work from Task 2. Oral presentation delivered in-class in Week 12, written report to be submitted online through Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Extends and creates policy recommendations for case study from the first assessment.
2 3 4
2
Correctly applies relevant international security theories and frameworks.
3
3
Scholarly and authoritative reference sources are used to directly support claims and arguments.
3 4
4
Demonstrates critical thinking, analysis and synthesis of argument.
3 4
5
Sentence and paragraph structures are clear and absent of grammatical and typographical errors.
4
6
Effective slides that convey relevant information about their case study and policy recommendations.
1
Generic Skills:
Communication, Collaboration, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Peter Hough 0 International Security Studies n/a n/a

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: