This course introduces students to the histories, key terms and approaches shaping the dynamic, transdisciplinary field of Pacific Studies. It outlines the ways in which Oceania has been approached, mapped and represented in scholarly, policy, arts, mainstream, and social media contexts. The course also provides an introduction to Australian, Aotearoa New Zealand and US relations with the Pacific, and a comparative lens on the nature of Pacific Studies within these countries and the islands. It emphasizes the complexity, diversity, creativity, and sovereignty of the region. Indigenous Pacific Islander approaches to engaging and learning with and from Oceania, including through dance, poetry, music, fashion and film, are particularly highlighted. 

 

PASI6001 is a keystone course in Pacific Studies that provides a historical and contemporary understanding of Pacific Island cultures and foundational for anyone seeking to work in the Pacific region and/or with Pacific Island communities.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and contemporary nature of Pacific Studies.
2. Develop and articulate a nuanced understanding of "cultural regionalism' across the Pacific from a trans-disciplinary perspective, and be able to differentiate this perspective from multi-disciplinary or single disciplinary approaches.
3. Evaluate and critique the various ways in which the island region and Pacific Island peoples have been mapped and represented in various disciplines, mainstream, social and popular media.
4. Research, analyse and reflect on complexity and diversity in Oceania in terms of history, culture, development, environment, migration, gender relations, the arts and politics through individual projects.
5. Facilitate and lead discussions on Pacific issues with peers.

Research-Led Teaching

The design of the course is built on the research strengths of the convener. Prof Katerina Teaiwa is an interdisciplinary Pacific Studies scholar, anthropologist, historian, and a nationally award winning teacher with publications and international keynotes delivered on Pacific arts, dance, cultural policy, cultural industries, population displacement, phosphate mining, globalisation, and historical and contemporary relations between Fiji, Kiribati, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. A particular link between this course and Teaiwa's research is the design of the assessment. In addition to doing applied cultural policy work, Teaiwa transformed her research into major visual arts exhibitions, blogs, media pieces and other formats. She encourages students to similarly think outside the box and take innovative approaches to leading tutorial discussions and their final research presentations. Week 5 is devoted to researching Oceania including how to plan, design and conduct transdisciplinary research.

Examination Material or equipment

Quiz sheets are provided in class and make up quizzes are available on request if medical or other issues arise.

Required Resources

All readings are provided on Wattle

Recommended Resources

All provided on Wattle

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 and via Wattle

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.

Other Information

Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Week 1 - Introductions and course overview	No tutorials this week
2	Week 2 - Themes and Perspectives: Wayfinding	Wattle  discussion forum (Each online entry should be 100-150 words)
3	Week 3 - Naming, Framing and Mapping Oceania	Wattle  discussion forum
4	Week 4 - Studying Oceania in a Time of great Global Change	Wattle  discussion forum
5	Week 5 - Researching Oceania - interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary methods	Wattle discussion forum
6	Week 6 - Globalizing Oceania: cultural, economic and political globalisation	Wattle discussion forumIn Class Quiz
7	Week 7 - The Popular Pacific: Creative industries, film, mainstream and social media	Wattle discussion forumGroup Project Research plans due in class (1 page plan + resources)
8	Week 8 - Mining and Environmental issues in Oceania	Wattle discussion forum
9	Week 9 - History, Politics and Heritage in Fiji	Wattle discussion forum
10	Week 10 - The Politics and Cultural Impact of the Festival of Pacific Arts	Wattle discussion forum
11	Week 11 - The Pacific Diaspora in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the United States	Wattle discussion forumIn Class Quiz 2
12	Week 12 - Course Review and Pacific Futures	Wattle discussion forumMeet to discuss your final group presentations
13	Finals Weeks	Group PresentationsReflective individual report due (1500 words)

Tutorial Registration

Register for tutorial PASI 2001 on Tues 3pm or Wed 9am

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Leading tutorial and discussion forum	20 %	1, 2, 4, 5
Quiz 1 and 2	30 %	5
Group research project and presentations	20 %	4, 5
Individual reflective report on learning and group research	30 %	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 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

Attendance at lectures and tutorials is expected. Please provide medical certificates for all absences or speak to me in person if there are any issues.

Examination(s)

No exams other than class quiz

Assessment Task 1

Leading tutorial and discussion forum

Leading tutorial discussion in partners: 45 min - 10%

Wattle discussion forum (10 submissions): At least 100 words online, weekly -10%

Due dates: Weeks 2 to 12

Assessment Task 2

Quiz 1 and 2

Approx. length: 40min quiz

Due date: Week 6 and 11

Assessment Task 3

Group research project and presentations

1-page research plan due in class - Week 7

Group meetings - various and Week 12

15-20 minute group oral/ multimedia presentation utilising transdisciplinary methods - Finals week TBC

Assessment Task 4

Individual reflective report on learning and group research

1500 words

Due in finals weeks TBC

Assessment marking templates and guides provided in Wattle

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. Request all extensions in advance.

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

Assessments are returned to students via Turnitin, email or in class. All quizzes are paper and pen based.

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

Speak to me in person to see if this is possible.

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 Access 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 all ANU students