This course is designed for current and prospective policy makers and aid professionals involved in the design and implementation of aid projects in the Pacific. Adopting an evidence-based and multi-disciplinary approach, it examines critically the challenges of aid programming in Pacific contexts. Beginning with an assessment of the political and development context in the region, the course considers how the Pacific context complicates key elements of the design and implementation process, including: partnering with local actors, developing a context-responsive theory of change, monitoring and evaluating, and managing risk and inclusivity. The course has a strong practical focus based around Pacific case studies in the areas of gender, governance and climate action.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Identify key stages and actors in development program design, implementation and evaluation.
2. Critically assess donor motivations in program design, implementation and evaluation and the concept of 'aid effectiveness'.
3. Define and apply the development contexts in the Pacific and their relevance to aid programming.
4. Determine the relevant drivers of the political economy in which aid programs are designed.
5. Critically assess different programming modalities used in Pacific development programs.
6. Design an original development program that is fit for purpose in a Pacific context.

Research-Led Teaching

The latest research on program design and implementation will be showcased throughout the course through case studies presented by Pacific-focused researchers and development practitioners.

Students should familiarise themselves with two key program design documents relating to the Vanuatu Skills Partnership and Balance of Power, which will be available on Wattle.

Part of the participation mark will be awarded on the basis of student engagement (questions, discussion) with guest speakers, and with the case study program which the class will work on collectively throughout the course.

Field Trips

None.

Additional Course Costs

None.

Examination Material or equipment

None.

Required Resources

None.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, 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 (including through the use of a rubric shared at the beginning of the course)
• 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	Understanding and using political context in Pacific program design	Thursday 20 February 2025, 4:00pm to 6:00pm
2	From the Paris Declaration to Pacific programs	Thursday 27 February 2025, 4:00pm to 6:00pm
3	Building an evidence base	Thursday 6 March 2025, 4:00pm to 6:00pm
4	Case Study Group Work: Aide memoire	Thursday 13 March 2025, 4:00pm to 6:00pm
5	Design Deep Dive: Critique of recent Pacific investment designs	Thursday 20 March 2025, 4:00pm to 6:00pm
6	Case Study Group Work: Theory of change	Thursday 27 March 2025, 4:00pm to 6:00pm
7	In class presentations	Thursday 17 April 2025, 4:00pm to 6:00pm
8	Capacity building in program design and implementation	Thursday 24 April 2025, 4:00pm to 6:00pm
9	The complex road from design to implementation: Looking at modalities	Thursday 1 May 2025, 4:00pm to 6:00pm
10	The role of managing contractors in design implementation	Thursday 8 May 2025, 4:00pm to 6:00pm
11	Capturing change and effectiveness in Pacific programs	Thursday 15 May 2025, 4:00pm to 6:00pm
12	Case Study Group Work: Investment design document	Thursday 22 May 2025, 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Problem Identification and Theory of Change - presented	10 %	17/04/2025	18/04/2025	1, 2, 3
Problem Identification and Theory of Change - submitted	20 %	24/04/2025	09/05/2025	1,2,3
Investment design document	50 %	26/05/2025	*	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Contribution to the case study	20 %	*	*	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 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 ‘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.

Participation

Students will be expected to engage meaningfully and constructively in all seminar discussions and when guest speakers appear throughout the course. Students should come prepared to share their own questions and thoughts about each session’s course materials.

Assessment Task 1

Problem Identification and Theory of Change - presented

Students will develop their own Theory of Change (TOC) explaining how a specific development problem in the Pacific may be addressed. Each student will present their TOC to the class on 17 April (10 minutes), and submit a written version the following week. The presentation will comprise 10% of the student's grade. Students will be assessed on the problem identified and the way in which it was communicated to the class in accordance with a rubric. Students will be provided comments on the spot, and in writing the following day (to be incorporated into the written submission the following week).

Assessment Task 2

Problem Identification and Theory of Change - submitted

Students will develop their own Theory of Change (TOC) explaining how a specific development problem in the Pacific may be addressed. The TOC may be submitted as a multi-media project or as a written document; to an equivalent of no more than 1500 words. The submitted TOC will comprise 20% of the grade. Students will be assessed on the extent to which the TOC appropriately responds to the problem identified, and the extent to which any comments or feedback has been incorporated.

Assessment Task 3

Investment design document

Following advice provided by the course co-convener, students will develop their TOC into an investment design document which includes an implementation approach. This assessment task of 3,500 words will comprise 50% of the grade, and will be due in the final week of the semester via TurnItIn. More information will be provided in the first session of the course.

Assessment Task 4

Contribution to the case study

PASI8010 revolves around a mock case study on women's inclusion in climate change programming. The class will be required to engage with the development of this mock program, specifically in weeks 2, 4, 6 and 12. Participants' engagement with the required readings, and constructive contribution to the case study seminars will be assessed, in accordance with a rubric shared at the beginning of the class for 20% of their grade.

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 be allowed 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. 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.

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