This course examines the political economy of elections in Melanesia (PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Bougainville). It considers the factors shaping the conduct of elections across the region, and implications of elections for democracy, governance, development and security. Incorporating insights from comparative politics, anthropology and development studies, the course explores how elections in the region differ from developed country electoral experiences and what this means for efforts to support electoral processes. Implications for the development of electoral support programs that respond to the specific Melanesian context are also considered.

The focus of the readings is to provide a deeper grounded and contextual understanding of elections, drawing heavily on applied research conducted in Melanesian countries. Regional case studies are used to elucidate key aspects of elections.

Topics of study include:

• The political economy of elections in Melanesia
• Elections and (in)security
• Elections, governance and development
• Money politics and electoral competition in Melanesia
• Political parties and campaigning
• Elections, ICTs and social media
• Women and elections
• Electoral administration and electoral integrity in Melanesia
• Elections in PNG
• Elections in Solomon Islands
• Elections and external actors
• Supporting elections in Melanesia

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Understand and identify the contextual factors that condition how elections in Melanesia work.
2. Critically evaluate the relationship between elections and security, governance, development and stability
3. Examine the challenges faced by key political and social actors such as women and civil society in participating in elections in Melanesia
4. Demonstrate a good understanding of the policy challenges involved in administering elections in Melanesia
5. Demonstrate an appreciation of the distinctiveness of Melanesian elections in a comparative context

Research-Led Teaching

This course is taught intensively by research active scholar-practitioners from the ANU Department of Pacific Affairs (DPA). Each session draws on relevant research concerning elections in Melanesia, and the experiences of DPA scholars involved in designing and delivering electoral support and designing and delivering programs to improve women's political participation and political representation.

Field Trips

Not applicable

Required Resources

There is no textbook for this course; all required readings will be made available on Wattle.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Day 1/Session 1: Introduction: the political economy of elections in Melanesia Challenge of electoral administration in Melanesia	Monday 6 February 2023, AM
2	Day 1/Session 2: Electoral systems and political participation Deep Dive: Elections in PNG	Monday 6 February 2023, PM
3	Day 2/Session 3: Deep dive: Fiji electoral history Deep dive: The 2022 Fiji election	Tuesday 7 February 2023, AM
4	Day 2/Session 4: Deep Dive: Elections in Bougainville Assessment Discussion	Tuesday 7 February 2023, PM
5	Day 3/Session 5: Deep dive: PNG - elections and insecurity Elections and Constituency Development Funds	Wednesday 8 February 2023, AM
6	Day 3/Session 6 Elections and women candidates Panel - PNG elections and women candidates	Wednesday 8 February 2023, PM
7	Day 4/Session 7 Deep dive - Elections and social media Deep Dive: Political parties in Fiji	Thursday 16 February 2023, AM
8	Day 4/Session 8 Deep dive - PNG: elections and political order Elections and donors	Thursday 16 February 2023, PM
9	Day 5/Session 9 Deep Dive: Elections in New Caledonia Deep dive: PNG and the problem of the voter roll	Friday 17 February 2023, AM
10	Day 5/Session 10 Elections and political order in Melanesia Student presentations	Friday 17 February 2023, PM Assessment 1: Risk assessment and stakeholder analysis Assessment 2: Election reform project

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Participation (10%)	10 %	*	1,2,3,4
Risk assessment and stakeholder analysis (1500 words)	30 %	17/02/2023	1,2,3,4
Election reform project (3,500 words)	60 %	25/03/2023	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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills website. 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 (10%)

This assessment will be based on contributions to in-class discussions throughout the course.

Assessment Task 2

Risk assessment and stakeholder analysis (1500 words)

This assessment item requires students to identify the principal stakeholders and risks influencing the conduct and quality of elections in PNG. Students will summarise their findings in a short paper that identifies:

• three key electoral risks or challenges shaping the conduct of elections in PNG that policy makers should consider in engaging with elections; and
• three stakeholders that have an interest in the conduct of elections in PNG and the nature of each's electoral interests.

The purpose of the assessment is to encourage students to think critically about elections in practice and the diverse range of stakeholders with interests in different parts of the electoral process. Advice will be provided on the key political economy perspectives that can be drawn on in the mapping exercise. Students will present their findings in class on the final day of this intensively taught course.

Assessment Task 3

Election reform project (3,500 words)

This task requires students to choose one election-related policy issue from the following list of election policy issues in PNG: the electoral system; electoral security/violence; money politics/corruption; women’s participation/inclusion; the voter roll/registration. Based on this policy issue:

-        Write a critical analysis of the policy challenges around this issue in the context of PNG elections;

-        propose an evidence-based policy reform that might address your policy issue; and

-        critically analyse the political challenges that will shape reform prospects for this issue (e.g. key supports and opponents, reform obstacles etc.) 

The project entails: a) describing the nature of the election-related policy issue chosen; b) previous efforts (if any) to address the problem; c) analysing the political economy context of the specific election-related policy issue chosen; and d) developing a policy response that responds to the existing evidence base. An important objective of the project is to encourage students to think beyond elections as a technical issue and to focus on the political context which conditions elections. Students will present their reform issue in class on the final day of this intensively taught course and provide an overview of the reform challenges it faces. The Reform Project is due by 11.59pm on Friday 25 March.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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 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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

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 Access 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