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Modern Warfare
UndergraduateMAQ-PICX20122025
Previously MAQ-PICX212
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Investigate the operational dynamics of modern warfare—how can force be applied, what can it achieve, and its limitations. Probe the intersection of politics and warfare, identify logistics issues, and the influence of technology on major combat.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 20 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Price from
- $2,160
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Modern Warfare
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of the enduring intersection of politics and warfare, and explain the role of strategy in connecting the two
- Demonstrate knowledge of the considerations that inform the planning and conduct of military operations (including logistics, doctrine, tactics, and law) and apply that abstract knowledge to real-world cases
- Identify and critically analyse different forms of modern warfare
- Discuss the influence of new technologies and the role of information on the character of modern warfare
- Examine the human impact of modern warfare on both combatants and civilians
- Demonstrate the ability to write clear and concise analyses for a policy audience.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
This subject introduces students to the dynamics of modern warfare. War is a complex thing and force continues to be employed extensively by a range of state and non-state actors with major implications for national, international, and human security. The subject provides students with the theoretical tools required to make sense of the different forms and levels of modern warfare as well as the operational concepts and approaches which underpin its conduct. The subject critically considers a range of pressing issues and debates relating to the practice of warfare, with a particular emphasis on the impact of new technologies, the role of information, and ethical considerations. Through detailed analysis of contemporary military operations, students will learn to assess the utility of force by examining its political effects and consequences.
- Policy Memo (25%)
- Operations analysis (40%)
- Active engagement (10%)
- Online test (25%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
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- QS Ranking 2024:
- 10
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 10
Entry requirements
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
one of
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
MAQ-PICX212 (Not currently available)
Others
Pre-requisite
50cp at 1000 level or above
NCCW (pre-2020 units)
PICT212, PICX212
Additional requirements
- Other requirements -
Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
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
UndergraduateMAQ-BSS-DEG
UndergraduateMAQ-ART-DEG
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