This course aims to develop conceptual and applied knowledge of governance and service delivery challenges in Melanesia. By examining existing and emerging trends in the region, particularly in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Bougainville, this course considers contemporary policy debates involved in the politics of governance reform, decentralisation and its associated implications for development. Specifically, the course considers the role of Constituency Development Funds (CDFs) in providing local-level development and service delivery to communities in Melanesia.

 

This course complements PASI8301 How Papua New Guinea Works. It introduces students to scholarly discourse on a range of topics incorporating insights from comparative politics, public administration and development studies to engage with debates on decentralisation, government service delivery and the emergence of CDFs in the Melanesian context. Case studies of applied policy relevant research conducted in Melanesian countries are explored.

Topics covered under the course:

• The role of the state and concepts of governance
• Decentralisation and the post-colonial Melanesian state
• Long standing challenges of government service delivery
• The emergence of Constituency Development Funds (CDFs)
• The politics of governance reforms
• Policy and programming challenges in supporting governance

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the contextual factors behind governance reforms in Melanesia, including reasons for their successes and ongoing challenges.
2. Critically reflect on and engage in an in-depth analysis of key policy reform initiatives relevant to the Melanesian context.
3. Demonstrate an appreciation of the challenges faced by key political actors, public servants and development partners in Melanesia

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	Course overview and introduction
2	The role of the state and concepts of governance in Melanesia
3	The post-colonial Melanesian state and decentralisation
4	Long standing challenges of government service delivery	Review and reflect - Papua New Guinea: Guided discussion
5	The emergence of Constituency Development Funds (CDFs)
6	The politics of governance reform	Review and reflect - Solomon Islands: Guided discussion
7	Policy and programming challenges that support service delivery
8	Ways forward for improving service delivery	Review and reflect - Donor support: Guided discussion
9	Student presentations

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Class participation	20 %	*	*	1,2
In-class concept review briefing	30 %	07/12/2021	10/12/2021	1,2,3,4,5
Written case study	50 %	20/12/2021	*	1,2,3,4,5

* 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.

Participation

You are expected to attend all sessions and actively participate in in-class discussions. Please ensure you email the course convenors before the class if you have a legitimate reason for not attending any session.

Assessment Task 1

Class participation

Students are expected to attend all sessions and participate actively throughout the course by engaging with the lecture and reading materials as demonstrated by participation in debates, including discussions of practical issues relevant to topics covered. Students should be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the key concepts and themes addressed throughout the course. The grade for this assessment will be based on student attendance, contributions and in-class discussions.

Assessment Task 2

In-class concept review briefing

The in-class concept review breifing will take place on 7 December. Students will be asked to select a key service delivery reform initiative undertaken in a developing country outside Melanesia in order to critique its benefits and shortcomings based on available academic and grey literature. Students will then be asked to consider the potential merits of undertaking a similar reform initiative in a Melanesian country of their choice, which will involve critically consideration of its potential implications. The oral in-class briefing should address the following points:

• Describe key aspects of the service delivery reform initiative selected for review
• Discuss potential key literature to inform further case study analysis
• Preliminary consideration of benefits and shortcomings of the reform in the Melanesian context
• Explain approach to be taken for written case study (assessment task 3)

This assessment task (30% of the total assessment) will be based on the oral in-class briefing and the slides produced from the presentation.

Assessment Task 3

Written case study

For this assessment item (50% of the total assessment), students produce a short research paper (2000 words) that expands on their concept review and feedback from peers during the in-class briefing. The written case study should include the following key aspects:

- Description of the conceptual basis of the service delivery reform initiative

- Analysis of the underlying factors that contributed to the initial need for reform

- Assessment of service delivery outcomes and the role of donors and multilateral organisations (if any) 

- Potential application of a similar reform in the Melanesian context. 

- Identify further research required

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