Unit Overview
- Description
The strategic challenges of the 21st century – great-power competition, technological rivalry and the weaponisation of interdependence – demonstrate a deep convergence of security and economic factors in the challenges confronting governments. This course introduces students to this convergence, captured in the concept of 'geoeconomics'. The course examines key theories and concepts of geoeconomics as well as the core debates and policy issues at the centre of contemporary geoeconomics, including green industrial policy, semiconductor and technology controls, the use of defensive trade instruments and other forms of economic coercion, and regional infrastructure and connectivity competition. Students will study regional case studies including Australia's critical minerals strategy, US-China strategic competition, Southeast Asian responses to economic statecraft alongside select cases from beyond the region to draw comparative lessons.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode First year of offer Not available in 2026 UWA (Perth) On-campus - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) explain the key theories and concepts of geoeconomics in relation to the established traditions of international security and the international political economy; (2) critically analyse core debates and policy issues in contemporary geoeconomics; (3) collaboratively apply critical research and literacy skills to evaluate key questions in the field of geoeconomics; and; and (4) communicate knowledge, ideas, analyses and arguments about geoeconomics in a variety formats..
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) seminar participation; (2) presentation; and (3) research essay. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Imogen Liu
- Contact hours
- 3 hour seminar x 6 weeks
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.