Master of International Security in Country Risk Assessment

The University of Sydney

Understand traditional and emerging security challenges and apply theories to current events and policy debates. Explore complex, interconnected issues such as causes and consequences of war ethnic, religious and ideological conflict and threats from climate change, disease and nuclear proliferation. We will draw on economics, political science, law, business, public health and more. We provide an extraordinary depth and breadth of study. Our teachers are actively engaged with the policy community and regularly undertake field research within the region. Through our Centre for International Security Studies, you will have the opportunity to take classes in international relations, public policy and Australian politics, and receive broad training in international security. The Department of Government and International Relations has links to some of the major policy think tanks in Australia, such as the Australian Institute of International Affairs, and the Lowy Institute.Country risk is an emerging, interdisciplinary area of research with a variety of applications. It facilitates understanding of how societies’ economies, their financial systems and political apparatus interact to render an economy at risk for some form of crisis or regime change. Country risk is complex phenomenon with multiple facets, and is becoming increasingly important for financial market participants and government policy makers. Financial market participants, for instance, need indicators that signal the strength of the economy’s performance and resilience of its financial system, whereas policymakers need operational definitions of financial stability and resilience and methods of assessing them. The country risk assessment specialisation fills an important lacuna by providing students with the current state of thinking and the art of evaluating the riskiness of country for an abrupt change in its economic, financial and political conditions and the associated social outcomes.

082906A