This course illuminates the dynamic past of the Asia-Pacific including the arrival of early people and later human expansions that populated our region and led to the cultures, states and nations that are influential today. Significant events covered in the course include the emergence of complex societies culminating in expansive empires and early globalisations, such as those of the Qin, Khmer, Kofun, Lapita, Tonga and Polynesia. The course examines the movement of people from mainland and island Asia to the remote islands of the Pacific and the environmental impacts of hunting and foraging and farming as well as the impact of natural events such as climate change on social formations. The course includes practical sessions and the study of material culture from ancient societies. It will be of particular interest to students seeking to further their understanding of the Asia-Pacific and those looking to develop expertise in government and NGO organisations that are engaged in regional issues such as the environment, public policy, foreign affairs and think tanks.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Describe how the early history of Asia and the Pacific can be reconstructed.
2. Critically use concepts and tools from historical and environmental disciplines to develop, review, analyse and synthesise knowledge about Asia and the Pacific.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the early origins of the Asia-Pacific region.
4. Communicate arguments and findings effectively and critically both orally and in writing.

Staff Feedback

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

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

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	Lecture: Human expansions in the Asia-Pacific
2	Activity 1: Human expansion: Push and pull factors
3	Lecture: What are the Causes of Migration 1 – Climate change
4	Activity 2: Climate change: Population and ecological impacts	Quiz: Asia-Pacific Geography
5	Lecture: What are the Causes of Migration 2 – Warfare
6	Activity 3: Surviving and colonizing new landscapes	Course Content Quiz
7	Lecture: Inhabiting new landscapes: Early human movements in Asia, Australia and the Pacific	Class Presentation
8	Activity 4: Environmental barriers to human movement
9	Lecture: What are the Causes of Migration 3 – Population growth and resource scarcity	Class Presentation
10	Activity 5: Population growth and resource scarcity
11	Lecture: Lapita expansion in the uninhabited Pacific	Class Presentation
12	Activity 6: Lapita success and failure	Course Content Quiz
13	Lecture: Polynesian origins and expansion	Class Presentation
14	Activity 7: Polynesian success and failure
15	Lecture: The emergence of states and empires in the Asia-Pacific
16	Activity 8: Key factors in the development of social complexity
17	Discussion and Activity 9. Expansion and Complex societies in the Asia-Pacific, Qin Empire, Khmer Empire, Mongol Empire, Joseon Dynasty, Kofun Era, Tongan Empire, European colonization
18	Discussion and Activity 10. Expansion and Complex societies in the Asia-Pacific, Qin Empire, Khmer Empire, Mongol Empire, Joseon Dynasty, Kofun Era, Tongan Empire, European colonization
19	Discussion and Activity 11. Expansion and Complex societies in the Asia-Pacific, Qin Empire, Khmer Empire, Mongol Empire, Joseon Dynasty, Kofun Era, Tongan Empire, European colonization
20	Discussion and Activity 12. Expansion and Complex societies in the Asia-Pacific, Qin Empire, Khmer Empire, Mongol Empire, Joseon Dynasty, Kofun Era, Tongan Empire, European colonization
21	Discussion and Activity 13. Expansion and Complex societies in the Asia-Pacific, Qin Empire, Khmer Empire, Mongol Empire, Joseon Dynasty, Kofun Era, Tongan Empire, European colonization
22	Discussion and Activity 14. Expansion and Complex societies in the Asia-Pacific, Qin Empire, Khmer Empire, Mongol Empire, Joseon Dynasty, Kofun Era, Tongan Empire, European colonization	Course Content Quiz
23	Lecture: Early globalizations in the Asia-Pacific 1
24	Lecture: Early globalizations in the Asia-Pacific 2	Essay due COB (5pm)

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Quiz, Week 2	10 %	1, 2
Class Presentation, Weeks 4-7	20 %	1, 2, 3, 4
Participation in seminars and discussions	10 %	1, 2, 3, 4
Course Content Quiz	20 %	1, 2, 3, 4
Essay, due Week 12	40 %	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 ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

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

Participation in class presentations and lectures to develop critical thinking and demonstrate understanding of the key themes and arguments outlined in the course.

Assessment Task 1

Quiz, Week 2

Map quiz on the geography of the Asia-Pacific region (10%)

Assessment Task 2

Class Presentation, Weeks 4-7

Journal article: Critical review and student-led discussion. In Weeks 4-7 a journal article on a lecture topic that has been allocated with be summarised and critically reviewed in-class. Word length is around 1500 words (20%).

Assessment: Assessment for the Critical Review Presentation is based on the following factors each weighted at 25%:

a)    Comprehension – have you understood the key points and the arguments of the readings?

b)    Criticism – have you made a compelling case for your perspective on the individual papers, and for the contrast or comparison between them that you offer?

c)    Communication – have you communicated your findings in a clear and engaging way, making use of PowerPoint or other technologies where relevant?

d)    Conversation – have you encouraged a conversation with your class, and responded clearly and intelligently to their questions?

Assessment Task 3

Participation in seminars and discussions

Participation in class discussions and especially during scheduled student presentations to develop and demonstrate communication and critical thinking

Assessment: Assessment for participation in Seminars and Discussions is worth 10% and is based on:

a)    Contribute to comments and discussion during class in a respectful and appropriate manner

b)    Demonstrate understanding by accurately explaining subject matter

c)    Present and defend arguments and hypotheses in a clear and concise manner

Assessment Task 4

Course Content Quiz

A course content quiz to review knowledge and maintain students engagement will be held in Week 6 (10%) and Week 11 (10%). The multi-choice and short answer quiz will cover the main themes presented in lecturers and class discussions

Assessment Task 5

Essay, due Week 12

Essay questions will be finalised after in-class discussion of potential topics and areas with Object history information linking to the essay topic. Essay should be around 2200 words and is worth 40%.

Examples (elect one question only):

Review and examine a major prehistoric migration event in the Asia-Pacific.

Discuss how human migration has changed from prehistory through to the present.

What are the main drivers of Asia-Pacific migration today and were these factors important in the past?

Marking Rubric

1.    Argument. How clearly have you expressed your argument? Is it persuasive? Is it insightful? Does it work with and develop the themes of the course? 25%

 

2.    Critical Analysis. Do you critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of your sources and the available arguments? Are you able to position your analysis within class discussions and broader theoretical debates? 25%

 

3.    Structure and Organisation. Is your essay clearly structured and presented? Is your evidence used appropriately? Are you within the word limit – not too high above it, and not too far below it? [See CAP/ANU guidelines] 25%

 

4.    Sources and Citation. Have you drawn on a wide enough range of sources? Are the sources you have used reputable and relevant ones? Have you cited all sources appropriately and listed them correctly in the bibliography? 25%

 

5.    A penalty of 5% accrues for each day the essay is late.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community 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 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 University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

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

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 The Course Convener may grant extensions 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