The Pacific Islands is a region of diverse political traditions, complex developmental challenges and enduring strategic importance. The close relationship it shares with Australia stems from its geographical, historical and cultural ties, but has been tested by disputes over climate change and the role of China in the region. This course explores contemporary political and developmental issues in the region, including the ongoing legacy of colonialism, decolonisation and secessionist movements; the nature of democracy and how it has been challenged by coups, constitutional crises and rising authoritarianism in the region; and the ways in which Pacific states navigate the international system in an evolving geo-strategic environment.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of the Pacific region, including its political institutions and cultures;
2. Identify and discuss different approaches to politics and international relations in the region;
3. Critically examine key theories on Pacific politics and apply these to different case studies;
4. Critically reflect on the principal factors that shape politics and international relations in the region;
5. Communicate persuasively, in a variety of formats, arguments about Pacific politics, international relations, and the relationship between politics and development in the Pacific Islands.

Research-Led Teaching

This course is based on case studies and research conducted by Pacific experts in the Department of Pacific Affairs in the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs. The lectures, seminar discussions and assessments will help students gain a better understanding of how politics is practised based on current research. 

Required Resources

There is no textbook for this course; all required readings (2-3 per week) are available on Canvas. Please ensure you have read the required texts before each tutorial. Recommended reading is also available on Canvas.

Recommended Resources

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

Feedback on assignments will be available through Turnitin. Further feedback is available on request from the course convenor.

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	Reframing Pacific Politics
2	Decolonisation as Ongoing Struggle
3	Independence & Its Discontents	Reflective learning journal #1
4	Elections & Participation	Blog post
5	Democracy Under Strain
6	Gendering Politics in the Pacific	Reflective learning journal #2
7	The Blue Pacific & Regionalism
8	Environmental Justice & Climate Diplomacy
9	Geopolitics in the Pacific	Essay
10	Australia & the Pacific: Family or Fracture?	Reflective learning journal #3
11	Security, Militarisation & Securitisation in the Pacific
12	Reimagining Pacific Politics
13	Exam Period	Reflective learning journal #4

Tutorial Registration

Please register for tutorials through MyTimetable prior to Week 2.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Blog Post	15 %	13/08/2025	29/08/2025	2,5
Essay	35 %	29/09/2025	22/10/2025	1,2,3,4,5
Reflective Learning Journals	40 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5
Participation	10 %	*	*	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
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• 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 ‘Canvas’ 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

Blog Post

Write a public-facing blog post exploring how sovereignty, independence, or decolonisation is imagined or contested in the Pacific. Move beyond binaries to offer critical and/or creative insights into self-determination. Include at least one case study (e.g. Bougainville, West Papua, New Caledonia) and optional multimedia elements. Students are encouraged to incorporate Indigenous perspectives and contemporary debates.

The blog post is due by 11.55pm on Wednesday 13 August and should be submitted online through Turnitin.

Word limit: 900 words

Value: 15%

Please consult the assessment checklist on Canvas for formatting requirements before submitting. The marking rubric is also available on Canvas.

Assessment Task 2

Essay

For this essay, you will respond to one of seven set questions. This assessment requires you to engage critically with course concepts, lecture materials, required readings, tutorial discussions, and relevant Pacific scholarship. You are expected to develop a clear argument, supported by appropriate evidence and examples.

The essay is due by 11.55pm on Wednesday 1 October and should be submitted online through Turnitin.

Word Limit: 1,500-1,700 words (excluding references)

Value: 35%

Please consult the assessment checklist on Canvas for formatting requirements before submitting. The marking rubric is also available on Canvas.

Assessment Task 3

Reflective Learning Journals

Students submit four scaffolded reflective pieces (500 words each) across the semester. Each piece should combine lecture themes, readings, and tutorial discussions with personal reflection. The first and final entries are deliberately paired: 

Reflection 1 (Week 3): Positionality and Entry into Pacific Politics (10%)

In this first reflection, consider why you are taking POLS2055 and how your personal background, identity, and experiences shape your interest in Pacific politics. Reflect deeply on the assumptions, perspectives, and possible biases you bring to studying this field. How do you see your relationship to the region, its peoples, and its politics? What ethical responsibilities might you have as a learner engaging with Pacific issues?

Due: Sunday 10 August (11.55pm)

Reflection 2 (Week 6): Democracy, Governance and Participation (10%)

For this reflection, examine how your understanding of democracy, governance, and political participation in the Pacific has evolved so far. Consider how political life in Pacific contexts might differ from “mainstream” models often taught in political science. Reflect on the role of custom, faith, kinship networks, or informal political practices in shaping governance and participation.

Due: Sunday 31 August (11.55pm)

Reflection 3 (Week 10): Climate, Activism, and Regionalism (10%)

Reflect on how Pacific actors use diplomatic, cultural, and activist strategies to influence regional and global agendas. How do tensions between Pacific sovereignty and external pressures (such as geopolitical competition or economic interests) appear in the material you’ve studied? How are Pacific voices reframing global debates on climate, security, and development?

Due: Sunday 12 October (11.55pm)

Reflection 4 (Exam Period): Looking Forward - Ethics of Engagement and Future Pathways (10%)

In your final reflection, take stock of your learning journey across the semester. How has your understanding of Pacific politics changed? Consider how you will carry this knowledge into future study, research, work, or engagement with Pacific communities and issues. Reflect on any ongoing ethical responsibilities you see for yourself as a student, researcher, practitioner, or global citizen engaging with Pacific politics.

Due: Sunday 2 November (11.55pm)

Value: 40% total (10% each)

The marking rubric is available on Canvas.

Assessment Task 4

Participation

Active and respectful engagement in tutorials, talanoa-style discussions, group work, or through submitted reading reflections. Emphasis on preparation, respectful dialogue, and collaborative learning. The rubric is available on Canvas.

Value: 10%

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

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. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Your marks and feedback will be available on Turnitin by 5pm on the date specified for return of assessments (provided assessments have been submitted on time). For additional feedback, please contact the convenor.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students