The Pacific is a region of diverse and complex island states and territories. While made up of mostly small islands, collectively it spans one-third of the planet’s surface and almost a quarter of the world’s languages are spoken in the Pacific Islands. The region is on the frontlines of climate change, encompassing the countries most vulnerable to sea level rise and natural disasters in the world, yet it is also a site of pioneering forms of climate adaptability and resilience.

The Pacific is, and has always been, an important area for Australia’s interests. The Australian Constitution sets out the special relationship, specifically mentioning relations with the islands of the Pacific as part of parliament’s mandate. Today, with a fast-growing Pacific population in Australia and a renewed interest in the region as a site of geopolitical importance, this relationship remains significant.

The course examines the domestic and regional politics of the contemporary Pacific, and the important developmental challenges facing the region. It is based on case studies from cutting-edge research conducted by Pacific experts at the ANU. The lectures, seminars and assessments are designed to help students gain a better understanding of how research can be translated into evidence-based policy.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural and political diversity of the contemporary Pacific and the key social and developmental challenges facing the region.
2. Show familiarity with the academic and policy debates around key issues facing the contemporary Pacific.
3. Conduct scholarly research, express ideas and construct evidence-based arguments in both written and oral form.
4. Effectively communicate research findings to a policy audience.

Research-Led Teaching

This course is based on case studies and research conducted by Pacific experts in the Department of Pacific Affairs in the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs. The lectures, seminar discussions and assessments will help students gain a better understanding of how research can be translated into evidence-based policy. 

Required Resources

There is no textbook for this course; all required readings (3-4 per week) are available on Wattle. 

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Overview of course/What is the Pacific region?
2	The impact of Covid-19 on the Pacific/The politics of aid
3	Transnationalism and migration	Policy brief
4	Health policy in the Pacific/Key challenges to Pacific health
5	Economic development in the Pacific/Labour mobility
6	Climate change and disaster management
7	Women in leadership/Gender-based violence in the Pacific
8	Urbanisation in the Pacific/Mobile phones and development in PNG	Research proposal
9	Political economy of PNG/Politics of service delivery in PNG & Solomon Islands
10	Enabling political participation/Secessionist movements in the Pacific
11	Looking Forward: Pacific Futures	Presentation
12	Exam period	Research report

Tutorial Registration

Please sign up for tutorials (via Wattle) before Week 2 of semester. 

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Participation	10 %	28/05/2021	28/05/2021	1,2
Oral presentation	10 %	*	*	1,2,3
Policy Brief	25 %	30/04/2021	13/05/2021	1,2,3,4
Individual research project -proposal	15 %	14/05/2021	28/05/2021	1,2
Individual research project - report	40 %	07/06/2021	21/06/2021	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Participation

This assessment will be based on engagement with the required readings and contributions to seminar discussion throughout the course. All students will be required to lead (or co-lead) class discussion in one seminar. 

Assessment Task 2

Oral presentation

Students will participate in a mock Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Week 11 of the course, representing an assigned country in a debate over a proposed declaration relating to climate change. More information on this assessment will be given in Week 1. 

Assessment Task 3

Policy Brief

Students will write a policy brief on the impacts of Covid-19 on the Pacific, with recommendations on what issues the Australian government should prioritise in its response. An example policy brief, the marking rubric, and other resources are available on Wattle. The word limit is 1000 words. The policy brief is due on 30 April 2021. 

Assessment Task 4

Individual research project -proposal

The individual research project will be based on a topic of your choice, but should be related to one of the issues discussed during the course. The project can focus on one country or be a region-wide study. The individual project is in two parts: the proposal and the final report. The proposal is due by 14 May 2021 and students will be given detailed feedback to help write the final report. The word limit is 1000 words. A template for the proposal is available on Wattle. 

Assessment Task 5

Individual research project - report

The final report will be based on your chosen topic and should be built on the proposal. The structure of the report will be outlined in detail during the course. The word limit is 2500 words. An example report is available on Wattle. The research report is due on 7 June 2021.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students