This course seeks to define what we mean by ‘the Pacific’. Pacific countries and territories are characterised by diversity and commonalities, set against the backdrop of a multi-dimensional regional architecture, that features regional and sub-regional organisations, both old and new, notably the Pacific Islands Forum and the Pacific Community. Through this course, students will explore how Pacific Island countries perceive their region, and their place in the international system, interrogating the drivers and obstacles to change across multiple dimensions (cultural, political and economic) and applying a critical lens to address critical questions for the future of the Pacific region. To guide these crucial conversations, practitioners and Pacific experts will share their experiences and provide real-world examples that illustrate the complexities of addressing the future challenges for Pacific Islands Countries.
Topics covered under the course:
- What do we mean by the Pacific
- The Pacific Diplomatic System
- Economic development in the Pacific
- Aid in the Pacific
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand and discuss the diversities and commonalities of the Pacific Islands, including in the way politics works in varied cultural circumstances
- Critically assess the factors that are driving change in regionalism in the Pacific, and how the system is evolving
- Engage in discussions on the structures of different and diverse Pacific island economies
- Understand and examine the specific challenges associated with giving aid successfully in Pacific Island countries
Indicative Assessment
- 1,000 word Country Profile (40) [LO 1,3]
- 2,000 word Case study on a policy challenge confronting the Pacific (60) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
This course comprises some 65 hours of activity over 12 weeks, both interactive/seminar based and independent research. The course comprises a maximum of 3k words of assessment or the equivalent. Please note this is a general guide, averaged over the semester and the final hours ultimately depend on the individual's ability in reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
None required
Preliminary Reading
1. Sandra Tarte and Greg Fry, New Pacific Diplomacy
2. Epeli Hauofa, Our Sea of Islands ?
3. ?Lawson, Stephanie, 2017. ‘Australian, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands Forum: A critical review’. Commonwealth and Comparative Politics. 55(2), 214-35.
4. Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, ‘State of Pacific Regionalism Report 2017’, Suva 2017?
5. Taylor, Dame Meg, ‘The Future of the Pacific Islands Forum and the Framework for Pacific Regionalism’. Chapter 4 in: The New Pacific Diplomacy. Eds. G. Fry and S. Tarte. ANU Press, Canberra, 2016.
6. International migration’s long-term impact: evidence from a lottery
Pacific Early Age Readiness & Learning Program: Every Child Ready, Every Child Learning
7. Executive Summary of Pacific Possible
8. Sources of Growth Spurts in Pacific Island Economies
9. Three insights from the Kiribati Social Development Indicator Survey
10. Australian aid projects: what works, where projects work, and how Australia compares
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 3 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 3.00 | 0.06250 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $2100 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $3000 |
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.
