This course introduces students to the Pacific region and to the wealth of Pacific knowledge, resources, and institutions at ANU and in Canberra more broadly. Students will have the opportunity to learn through hands-on engagement with key historical, archival and museum collections and other institutions in Canberra. Pacific Worlds will be explored in seminar format and in dialogue with selected scholars and policymakers, and through visits to institutions such as the National Library, National Archives, and National Gallery of Australia. It will provide students with an exciting opportunity to experience the ways in which the Pacific has been crucial to the development and contemporary cultural, scholarly, and political priorities of former colonial powers, including Australia. The course will highlight the ways in which Pacific Islanders themselves have responded critically to these uneven relationships and how documentation and collection practices in Australian institutions reflect these political dynamics.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Describe the Pacific in terms of its environmental, cultural and political features at the local, national, and regional levels;
2. Explain the critical representations and issues that have shaped the contemporary Pacific;
3. Explain and engage with a variety of perspectives on Pacific collections, scholarship or art;
4. Analyse and suggest creative responses to current challenges facing Pacific peoples.
5. Demonstrate core reflective and analytical reseach skills to deepen their learning of the Pacific, including critical reading of scholarly texts, university-level writing and academic presentation.

Field Trips

There will be three field trips in this course to various instutions and events in Canberra - the Australian National University Library, National Library of Australia and the National Gallery of Australia.

Required Resources

All texts are available on Canvas.

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	Week 1: Introduction and Peopling of the Pacific.This topic explores the deep history of the Pacific region through archaeological, linguistic and genetic research, as well as Indigenous oral histories and mythologies. It will also explore how there region has been mapped by differing Indigenous and foreign representations.	Lecturer: Nayahamui Rooney
2	Week 2: Ancestral WorldsThis topic looks at a very different set of sources of knowledge about the historical constitution of Pacific Worlds: Indigenous, oral or vernacular histories.	Lecturer: Nayahamui Rooney
3	Week 3: Pacific EncountersThis topic explores the early encounters between Pacific Islands and outsiders met, including Indigenous Australia.	Lecturer: Nayahamui Rooney
4	Week 4: Making and Remaking BoundariesThis topic looks at the impact of colonialism on political and social boundaries as well as new connections between Pacific island communities and a globalising world, including Indigenous Australians and Australian South Sea Islanders.	Lecturer: Nayahamui Rooney
5	Week 5: Mapping the Pacific (Visit to National Library of Australia)This topic explores the Pacific map collection at the National Library of Australia (NLA) and consider "Pacific Worlds" in Canberra. It includes exploring how early maps of Australia transformed place names from Indigenous place names to European names.	Lecturer: Nayahamui Rooney & guest lecturer
6	Week 6: Archival Spaces and the Pacific (Visit with ANU Menzies library, Pacific Research Archives, Pacific Manuscripts, PARADISEC)This week involves a visit to the Menzies Library and meeting with archivists and librarians based at the ANU to talk about Pacific archives.	Lecturer: Nayahamui Rooney & guest lecturers
7	Week 7: Pacific Sovereignty Movements & Nuclear Free and Independent PacificThis week examines the decolonisation era of the Pacific in the 1970s-1980s and the regional Indigenous Pacific grass-roots sovereignty and independence movements. We will examine the network known as the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific movement.	Lecturer: Nayahamui Rooney
8	Week 8: Collecting the Pacific (Visit to National Gallery of Australia)This week we will explore the Pacific art collection at the National Gallery of Australia.	Lecturer: Nayahamui Rooney & guest lecturers
9	Week 9: Climate Change as an Existential Threat & HeritageThis week we review the current state of knowledge about the effects of climate change, and particularly consider its influence on Indigenous Pacific culture, heritage, activism and the arts.	Lecturer: Nayahamui Rooney
10	Week 10: The Rush for OceaniaThis week we discuss the recent sudden rush for the Pacific from Australia, China, Indonesia, the US and other geopolitical powers.	Lecturer: Nayahamui Rooney
11	Week 11: Positionality and reflexivity in Pacific Worlds.The focus of this final week of teaching lies in bringing together the different strands of the course and returning to the theme of Pacific Worlds. We consider our positionality in relation to studying the Pacific and reflect on what kind of scholar we are, and want to be.	Lecturer: Nayahamui Rooney
12	Week 12: Student Presentations	Lecturer: Nayahamui Rooney

Tutorial Registration

Please see Canvas site for information

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Assessment 1: General participation (10%)	10 %	*	1,5
Assessment 2: Reflective writing (20%)	20 %	*	1,2,4
Assessment 3: Reflective essay (20%)	20 %	14/08/2025	2,5
Research essay (30%)	30 %	09/10/2025	2,4,5
Student Group Presentations (20%)	20 %	24/10/2025	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 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.

Assessment Task 1

Assessment 1: General participation (10%)

To encourage, participation and engagement with the tutorial readings students will: engage in weekly tutorial discussions, lead one tutorial during the semester, and facilitate an online tutorial question. Participation will be assessed based on understanding of concepts, engagement with the course materials, as demonstrated through contributions to class discussions (5/10 marks) and online discussions (5/10 marks).

Assessment Task 2

Assessment 2: Reflective writing (20%)

To encourage student participation and peer engagement and reflective writing, students will post a minimum of ten (10) brief 100-word responses to the online weekly discussion forum question posted by peers leading the weekly tutorial. Each response is worth 2% points out a total of 20%.

Due date: Weekly activity. Reflection is to be posted before the end of each week.

Assessment Task 3

Assessment 3: Reflective essay (20%)

Reflective essay (Word limit: 800-1000 words).

Due date: 14th August 2025 (Week 4)

Assessment Task 4

Research essay (30%)

Major essay 2 (Word limit: 1500 - 2000 words).

Due date: 9th October 2025 (Week 10).

Assessment Task 5

Student Group Presentations (20%)

To encourage teamwork, cohort building, and creativity through interactive and engaged participation, students will work in groups of 3-4 to prepare a 20-minute interactive presentation on an issue relevant to Pacific Worlds. Group presentations will be given in Week 12. Presentations will be assessed based on: demonstrated teamwork (5/20 marks), understanding of concepts (5/20 marks), engagement with the course materials (5/20 marks), creativity (5/20 marks).

Due date: 20th October 2025 (Week 12).

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