The Pacific Islands region, on Australia’s doorstep, is a region of diverse political traditions, complex developmental challenges and continuing strategic importance. Australia is the region's largest aid donor, reflective of a close - but contested - relationship. This course provides an overview of contemporary political and developmental issues in the region, including ongoing processes of decolonisation, coups and constitutional crises, and the existential threat of climate change. It also examines how the politics of aid plays out in an evolving geostrategic environment, as China becomes an increasingly influential regional player.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Identify and discuss key debates and theories in Pacific politics and development and apply these to different case studies
2. Identify and discuss different approaches to politics, aid and development in the region and apply these to different case studies
3. Analyse critical contemporary political and developmental challenges in the region
4. Demonstrate advanced skills in critical thinking, reading, writing and oral presentation
5. Compare information from different parts of the Pacific to critically evaluate theories of development
   

Research-Led Teaching

The latest research on program design and implementation will be showcased throught 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 Canvas. 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.

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
• 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 development debates	Week beginning 27 July 2026
2	From the Paris Declaration to Pacific programs	Week beginning 3 August 2026
3	Building an evidence base, Pacific style	Week beginning 10 August 2026
4	Case Study - Writing an Aide MemoireUngraded formative feedback will be provided to students in class.	Week beginning 17 August 2026
5	Design Deep Dive: Critique of recent Pacific development programs	Week beginning 24 August 2026
6	Case Study - Developing a Theory of Change	Week beginning 31 August 2026
7	In class presentations	Week beginning 21 September 2026Assessment 1 Due
8	Capacity building in Pacific development	Week beginning 28 September 2026Assessment 2 Due
9	The complex road from design to implementation: Program modalities	Week beginning 6 October 2026
10	Development intermediaries: the role of managing contractors	Week beginning 12 October 2026
11	Capturing change and effectiveness in Pacific development programs	Week beginning 19 October 2026
12	Case Study - Finalising an Investment Design Document	Week beginning 26 October 2026

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 orally in class	10 %	21/09/2026	22/09/2026	1,2,3,4
Problem Identification and Theory of Change - submitted in writing via Canvas	20 %	28/09/2026	16/10/2026	1,2,3,4
Investment Design Document	50 %	06/11/2026	30/11/2026	1,2,3,4,5
Contribution to the Course Case Study	20 %	*	*	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.

Participation

Students are expected to engage meaningfully and constructively each week, and most particularly when guest speakers appear throughout the course. Students should come prepared to share their own questions and thoughts in relation to each week's readings.

Assessment Task 1

Problem Identification and Theory of Change - presented orally in class

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 in Week 7 (just after the mid-semester break) 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 (to be uploaded to Canvas ahead of the semester). Students will be provided with comments on the spot, and in writing the following day (to be incorporated into the written assessment the following week).

Assessment Task 2

Problem Identification and Theory of Change - submitted in writing via Canvas

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 feedback was incorporated. 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.

Assessment Task 3

Investment Design Document

Following advice provided by the course convenor, 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 at the end of the semester via Canvas. 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. More information will be provided in the first week of the course.

Assessment Task 4

Contribution to the Course Case Study

The course revolves around a mock case study on women's inclusion in climate change programming in the Pacific. The class will be required to engage with the development of this mock program, specifically in weeks 4, 6 and 12. Ungraded feedback will be provided in each of these weeks to support students' understanding of their learning progress through an informal diagnostic test/quiz.

Students' engagement with the required readings and constructive contribution to the case study each week - in accordance with a rubric available on Canvas - will constitute 20% of the 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

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.

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