This course is designed for current and prospective policy makers and aid professionals involved in the design and implementation of aid projects in the Pacific. Adopting an evidence-based and multi-disciplinary approach, it examines critically the challenges of aid programming in the Pacific context. Beginning with an assessment of the political and development context in the region, the course considers how the Pacific context complicates key elements of the design and implementation process, including: partnering with local actors, developing a context-responsive theory of change, monitoring and evaluating, and managing risk and inclusivity. The course has a strong practical focus based around four Pacific case studies in the areas of governance, gender, health and education.

Topics of study include:

• The political and development context in the Pacific
• Theories of change
• Locally-led development - Partnering with local actors
• Monitoring and evaluation in a Pacific context
• Risk Management and Sustainability
• Inclusivity in Pacific program design
• Program implementation in a Pacific context
• Thinking and working politically in the Pacific
• Case studies

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Identify key stages and actors in program design and implementation
2. Define the development contexts in the Pacific and their relevance to aid programming.
3. Determine the relevant drivers of the political economy in which aid programs are designed.
4. Critically assess different programming modalities used in Pacific development programs.
5. Design an original development program that is fit for purpose in a Pacific context.

Research-Led Teaching

The latest research on program design and implementation will be showcased throughout the course through case studies presented by Pacific researchers and development practitioners.

Field Trips

None.

Additional Course Costs

None.

Examination Material or equipment

None.

Required Resources

None.

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	Understanding and using political context in Pacific program design	Participation
2	Locally-led design in the Pacific	Participation
3	Translating design into implementation	Participation
4	Thinking and working politically in Pacific programs	Participation and Presentations of first assessment item (Problem identification and theory of change)

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Problem Identification and Theory of Change critical review	30 %	17/05/2022	27/05/2022	1, 2, 3
Aid design project	50 %	10/06/2022	30/06/2022	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Participation	20 %	26/04/2022	17/05/2022	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

Problem Identification and Theory of Change critical review

Students will develop their own Theory of Change (TOC) explaining how a specific development problem in the Pacific may be addressed. The TOC may be submitted in the form of a PowerPoint/Google Slide presentation, and should be no more than 1500 words. The presentation should take no more than 10 minutes. The assessment task will be presented in class, during session 4, with the TOC being weighted at 20% of the final grade, and the presentation of the TOC at 10% of the final grade. More information will be provided in the first session of the course.

Assessment Task 2

Aid design project

Following advice provided during session 4 from peers and the course co-conveners, students will develop their TOC into an aid project proposal which includes an implementation approach. This assessment task of 3,500 words will comprise 50% of the grade, and will due in the final week of the semester via TurnItIn. More information will be provided in the first session of the course.

Assessment Task 3

Participation

This assessment will be based on engagement with the required readings, constructive peer review of fellow students' TOR presentations, and contributions to seminar discussion throughout the course. Students should come prepared to share their own questions and thoughts about each session’s course materials, especially the readings, and to proactively participate in exchange of ideas with course conveners, guest lecturers and fellow students. Participation will comprise 20% of the grade.

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