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:
- Identify and discuss key debates and theories in Pacific politics and development and apply these to different case studies
- Identify and discuss different approaches to politics, aid and development in the region and apply these to different case studies
- Analyse critical contemporary political and developmental challenges in the region
- Demonstrate advanced skills in critical thinking, reading, writing and oral presentation
- Compare information from different parts of the Pacific to critically evaluate theories of development
Indicative Assessment
- Podcast script interviewing an author of one of the readings (1,000 words) (30) [LO 3,4,5]
- Research essay on a topic related to politics, aid and development (3,500 words) (60) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Participation (10) [LO 1,2]
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.
Workload
This course comprises some 130 hours of activity over 12 weeks, both interactive/seminar based and independent research. The course comprises a maximum of 6k words of assessment or the equivalent. Please note this is a general guide, averaged over the semester and the final hours ultimately depend on the individual's ability in reading and writing.
Prescribed Texts
Each week students will have a set of required readings (usually 2-3 journal articles or book chapters) and additional supplementary readings and audio material. As there is no suitable textbook for this course, the readings will draw on a range of sources.
Preliminary Reading
Baker, Kerryn (2024) Female politicians struggle to get off the blocks in the Solomon Islands. East Asia Forum. https://eastasiaforum.org/2024/06/18/womens-potential-in-solomon-islands-politics-curtailed-by-structural-barriers/
Chandler, Jo (2022) PNG's Women in Waiting. Meanjin. Summer. 122-133.
Dornan, Matthew and Jonathan Pryke (2017), Foreign Aid to the Pacific: Trends and Developments in the Twenty-First Century. Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies 4 (3): 386-404.
Fry, Greg (2019) Framing the Islands: Power and Diplomatic Agency in Pacific Regionalism, Canberra, ANU Press.
Hau’ofa, Epeli (1994), Our Sea of Islands, The Contemporary Pacific 6 (1): 148-161.
Kabutaulaka, Tarcisius (2015), Re-Presenting Melanesia: Ignoble Savages and Melanesian Alter-Natives’, The Contemporary Pacific 27 (1): 110-145.
The Little Red Podcast. ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go Now? Inside the Solomons’ Big Switch.’ Podcast available here: https://omny.fm/shows/the-little-red-podcast/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go-now-inside-the-solomo
McDonald, Ewen (2020) ‘Realising the Pacific’s Vision for Stability, Security and Prosperity.’ Security Challenges 16 (1): 17-25.
Murphy, Heather (2024) Navigating the competing purposes of Australian development. Development Intelligence Lab. May: 1-14.
Wallis, Joanne & James Batley (2020) 'How does the 'Pacific' fit into the 'Indo-Pacific'? The changing geopolitics of the Pacific Islands.' Security Challenges 16 (1): 1-16.
Watson, Amanda (2022) The Limited Communication Cables for Pacific Island Countries. Asia-Pacific Journal of Ocean Law and Policy. 7: 151–155.
Zhang, Denghua and Graeme Smith (2017) China’s foreign aid system: structure, agencies, and identities, Third World Quarterly, 38(10): 2330-2346.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8797 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | Online | N/A |
| 9113 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |