Over the last two decades, the People's Republic of China has become a major aid donor, trade partner, and source of investment in the Pacific Islands. This is one of the most significant developments in the region in recent times with implications for the diplomatic priorities of Pacific Islands states, the aspirations of ordinary Pacific Islanders and the influence of traditional powers and some other external players. In response, traditional powers like Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan, and some other powers like India and Indonesia have increased their engagement with the Pacific region.
This course looks at the history of China, traditional powers and some other external players' engagement with the Pacific region, the nature of their interests in the region, as well as their competition for influence. This course will examine these external players’ changing role in the Pacific, with a focus on Pacific and their own perspectives. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of major external players’ motivations for engaging with the Pacific, with a particular focus on their state and non-state actors involved in aid, investment, migration, security and diplomacy in the Pacific.
With the resurgence of interest in the Pacific region from both traditional and new players, this course explores the experience of Pacific island states in international relations and development. It examines the Pacific’s place in the world and how Australia, other traditional donors, and new donors might engage with the region.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Examine important aspects of China, traditional powers and some other external players’ influence as global or regional powers, and the nature of their activities in Oceania.
- Analyse the impact of China’s increased profile on existing relations of power in the region, particularly with regards to traditional western diplomatic partners.
- Reflect on and critique the institutional foundations underlying foreign aid, investment, migration, security and diplomacy in the Pacific.
- Evaluate the implications of increased international engagement with the Pacific for the present circumstances and future aspirations of ordinary Pacific Islanders.
- Demonstrate the ability to think and communicate independently, reflectively and persuasively on the geopolitics and international relations of the Pacific.
Indicative Assessment
- Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Policy Brief (1,000 words) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Oral presentation (20 minutes) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Research essay (2,500 words) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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Workload
This course comprises some 130 hours of activity over 12 weeks, both interactive/seminar based and independent research. The course comprises a maximum of 6k 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
TBC
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:
- 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2391 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | N/A |
| 3525 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | Online | N/A |
