Primarily used in navigation (ships, aircraft) to mean the intended direction of travel. Can also be used metaphorically for a course of action or policy.
The ship set a course to the south.
政府は新たな経済政策の針路を示した。
The government indicated the direction of its new economic policy.
The ship set a course to the north.
We changed course to avoid the typhoon.
The captain erred in his course and ended up nearing the reef.