The Pacific, home to a broad of the range of societies, cultures, languages, and polities, is one of the world’s most diverse regions. This interdisciplinary foundations course brings together the perspectives of anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics and history to explore questions of continuity and change that can help us understand this diversity. How and to what extent have people’s ways of life been shaped by their past, how are they adapting to changing circumstances in the present, and what challenges do they face for the future? The course combines environmental, cultural and anthropological perspectives to show students how natural and human systems have interacted over millennia to create the dynamic and often precarious world of Oceania. Globalisation extended to the Pacific in the 17th century and brought new ideologies, languages, diseases, products and people to remote islands. The course looks at the impact and legacies of Western arrival and examines how island societies have responded to the challenges posed by global systems.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the Pacific from the application of specific archaeological, anthropological, palaeoecological and linguistic techniques;
2. Critically evaluate and synthesise evidence-based arguments including advanced theoretical perspectives about the transformative events that have shaped the contemporary Pacific;
3. Understand the persistence of traditional political and economic structures in modern societies and the role of globalisation in contemporary socio-cultural formations;
4. Communicate arguments and findings effectively, both orally and in writing.
Indicative Assessment
Short map quiz on the bio-geographic and cultural-political divisions of the Pacific (10%) [LO 1, 3, 4]Long essay (3000 words) on the persistence of traditional political and economic structures in modern Pacific societies (30%) [LO 1, 2, 3, 4]
Long essay (3000 words) on globalisation and conflict in Oceania (30%) [LO 1, 3, 4]
Class presentation and critical review of two prescribed readings (20%) [LO 1, 2, 4]
Participation in seminar discussion (10%) (LO 2, 3, 4].
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
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Workload
The course will meet for 1.5 hours two times per week. Student workload is estimated at 10 hours/week.Prescribed Texts
Specific readings will be assigned for each class based on the lecture topic and will be available on wattle.Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $3570 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5460 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4365 | 24 Feb 2020 | 02 Mar 2020 | 08 May 2020 | 05 Jun 2020 | In Person | View |
