Around half of the world’s languages are spoken in the Asia-Pacific region. How does this incredible linguistic diversity shape people’s everyday lives? The course uses case studies from across Asia and the Pacific to explore how the multiplicity of languages – spoken, written and signed – is a resource for individuals, communities and nation-states. Language, and different patterns of multilingualism, reflect and create social and cultural identities, and are intertwined with the social and political hierarchies that influence conflict and conflict resolution, equality and inequality, and processes of social stability and change. The language diversity of Asia and the Pacific is also influential on a global scale. The region is the source of some of the world’s most widely used languages, as well as leading the global diversification of English. This course introduces concepts, theories and models from linguistics that allow us to develop more nuanced analyses of the Asia-Pacific region through the lens of language.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of language diversity and its implications across the Asia-Pacific region
2. Interpret and reflect critically on academic and applied research on language in Asian and Pacific societies using linguistic concepts and models
3. Critically analyse and evaluate different perspectives on the roles of language in the Asia-Pacific region
4. Conduct research on topics of individual interest relating to language in the Asia-Pacific region
5. Demonstrate professional and disciplinary knowledge and methods in meaningfully and persuasively communicating research findings to diverse audiences
6. Demonstrate advanced skills in written and oral communication, both individually and in groups

Required Resources

The required readings for this course are available from the course Canvas site.

Staff Feedback

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

• Written comments on individual assessment items
• Verbal comments in classes to the whole class, small groups and to individuals

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	Language diversity in Asia and the Pacific
2	Language diversity and patterns of language use	Class presentations in Weeks 2 - 11
3	Language diversity as a resource & a challenge
4	Language diversity and language policy
5	Language diversity and education	Project: Proposal
6	Language diversity and minority languages
7	language diversity and society
8	Language diversity and well-being	Project: Case Study
9	Language diversity and human rights
10	Language diversity and English in Asia and the Pacific
11	Language diversity and globalisation
12	Revisiting language diversity in Asia and the Pacific

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Class presentation: article critique	20 %	*	*	1, 2, 3, 6
Class presentation: in-class presentation	15 %	*	*	1, 2, 3, 6
Project: Proposal	5 %	24/03/2026	31/03/2026	1, 2, 3, 6
Project: Case Study	20 %	28/04/2026	08/05/2026	1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Project: Written piece	40 %	09/06/2026	30/06/2026	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

* 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

Students are expected to participate, both individually and in small groups, in synchronous and asynchronous class discussions and activities.

Examination(s)

There is no exam for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Class presentation: article critique

For the class presentation, students choose one of the weekly course topics as their focus and complete the assessment item in two parts. The deadline for students' presentations is the week relevant for their topic. The first part of the Class Presentation is a 1,000-word critique of the weekly reading.

The ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s Word Length and Excess Word Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item and can be found here: https://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/cap-word-limit-and-penalty-guidelines.

Assessment Task 2

Class presentation: in-class presentation

For the second part of the class presentation, students design and run an in-class activity of about 30 minutes that relates to the weekly topic and the reading of their critique.

Assessment Task 3

Project: Proposal

The Project allows students to explore a topic that is of particular interest to them. The Project is completed in three parts. The first is a 500-word project proposal that sets out the aim and planned scope of the project and a preliminary reference list.

The ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s Word Length and Excess Word Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item and can be found here: https://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/cap-word-limit-and-penalty-guidelines.

Assessment Task 4

Project: Case Study

For the second part of the Project, students write a 1,000-word piece that presents a case study relevant to their Project topic.

The ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s Word Length and Excess Word Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item and can be found here: https://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/cap-word-limit-and-penalty-guidelines.

Assessment Task 5

Project: Written piece

The final part of the Project is a 3,000-word written piece that builds on the Proposal and Case Study to present their topic in more detail.

The ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s Word Length and Excess Word Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item and can be found here: https://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/cap-word-limit-and-penalty-guidelines.

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. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

All assessment items for this course are to be submitted electronically. Please keep a copy of your assessment items for your records.

Hardcopy Submission

For this course, all written assessment items are to be submitted electronically. Presentations will be done during class times.

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.

Extensions must be requested in writing with appropriate supporting documentation 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.

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.

Returning Assignments

For all assessment items marks and feedback are provided through Canvas, and additional verbal feedback may be given in associated classes.

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assessment items is not accepted.

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