The Pacific is a region of diverse and complex island states and territories. While made up of mostly small islands, collectively it spans one-third of the planet’s surface and almost a quarter of the world’s languages are spoken in the Pacific Islands. The region is on the frontlines of climate change, encompassing the countries most vulnerable to sea level rise and natural disasters in the world, yet it is also a site of pioneering forms of climate adaptability and resilience.

The Pacific is, and has always been, an important area for Australia’s interests. The Australian Constitution sets out the special relationship, specifically mentioning relations with the islands of the Pacific as part of parliament’s mandate. Today, with a fast-growing Pacific population in Australia and a renewed interest in the region as a site of geopolitical importance, this relationship remains significant.

The course examines the domestic and regional politics of the contemporary Pacific, and the important developmental challenges facing the region. It is based on case studies from cutting-edge research conducted by Pacific experts at the ANU. The lectures, seminars and assessments are designed to help students gain a better understanding of how research can be translated into evidence-based policy.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural and political diversity of the contemporary Pacific and the key social and developmental challenges facing the region.
2. Show familiarity with the academic and policy debates around key issues facing the contemporary Pacific.
3. Conduct scholarly research, express ideas and construct evidence-based arguments in both written and oral form.
4. Effectively communicate research findings to a policy audience.
5. Exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems individually as well as collaboratively.

Research-Led Teaching

This course is based on case studies and research conducted by Pacific experts in the Department of Pacific Affairs and College of Asia and the Pacific more widely. The lectures, seminar discussions and assessments will help students gain a better understanding of how research can be translated into evidence-based policy. 

Required Resources

There is no textbook for this course; all required readings (3-4 per week) are available on Wattle. 

Recommended Resources

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	Overview of course/Development and politics across the Pacific
2	Political systems in the Pacific/Politics of service delivery in PNG &Solomon Islands
3	Policy response to climate change #1/Masculinities in the Pacific
4	Political participation/Women in leadership	Research Proposal
5	Geopolitics in the Pacific/Law and justice
6	Pacific migration/Pacific regionalism
7	Policy response to climate change #2/Policy brief writing and Mock PIF briefing	Research Report
8	Transnational crime/Gender based violence
9	Asylum and offshore processing/Education in the Pacific
10	Media freedom in the Pacific/Labour mobility	Policy Brief
11	Australia and the Pacific/China and the Pacific
12	Urban unrest/wrap up	Presentation

Tutorial Registration

Please sign up for tutorials (via Wattle) before Week 2 of semester. 

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Participation	10 %	*	*	1,2,5
Individual research project: Proposal	15 %	12/03/2025	31/03/2025	1,2,5
Individual research project: Report	40 %	16/04/2025	07/05/2025	1,2,3,5
Pacific regionalism: Policy brief	25 %	07/05/2025	14/05/2025	1,2,3,4,5
Pacific regionalism: Oral presentation	10 %	22/05/2025	31/05/2025	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 ‘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

Class participation includes presenting during tutorials.

Assessment Task 1

Participation

There are two components to this assessment. Participation will be assessed throughout the course, based on the manner in which students demonstrate their engagement with course materials during discussions and activities in weekly tutorials. In addition, each student will be required to lead (or co-lead) the discussion in one tutorial. Students will be able to nominate which tutorial they would like to lead after the lecture in week 1. When leading a tutorial, the aim will be to stimulate thinking and discussion. Students are encouraged to contribute to discussions in class in ways that will enhance the learning of others. Debates about ideas and views are welcome so long as they are conducted in a respectful manner.

Assessment Task 2

Individual research project: Proposal

There will be two assessments that will assist students to develop and hone their research skills. Assessment Task 2 requires students to write a research proposal. Assessment Task 3 requires students to write a final report. Students must write their final report (Assessment Task 3) on the topic they chose in Assessment Task 2. It is anticipated that students would use feedback received on Assessment Task 2 in the preparation of Assessment Task 3. Students can choose to complete these two tasks in either Stream A or Stream B. Stream A consists of an academic research project. Stream B requires students to imagine that they are a consultant working in the international development sector. The word limit for the proposal is 1000 words. It is recommended that an indicative reference list is included in the proposal document. Please note that the word limit does not include the reference list. Students will be given detailed feedback that can be utilised when writing the final report. Further details will be available on Wattle.

Assessment Task 3

Individual research project: Report

Students will write the report they proposed in Assessment Task 2. Please mark clearly on the cover page whether Stream A or Stream B has been selected. The word limit is 2500 words.

Assessment Task 4

Pacific regionalism: Policy brief

There will be two assessments that will enable students to explore Pacific regionalism in depth. For Assessment Task 4, students will play the role of a public servant within a Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) member country. For Assessment Task 5, students will play the role of a national minister of that country’s government in a mock PIF meeting, which will be held in the tutorial in week 12. Students will be assigned to a PIF member country at the beginning of Term 2 via a notice posted on Wattle. There will be two or three students per PIF member country. In Assessment Task 4 students will play the role of a public servant tasked with writing a policy brief for their minister in which they recommend to the minister what they should say at the PIF meeting.

Assessment Task 5

Pacific regionalism: Oral presentation

Having written a brief for their minister, in this task students will play the role of that minister at the Forum Ministers meeting itself. The pair or group of three will give a short presentation of no more than 3 minutes total in which they will outline the priorities for their country regarding the topic under discussion. The meeting will take place during the tutorial in week 12 of the course. Once all the prepared remarks have been completed, discussion will ensue, with all students encouraged to advocate for their country’s position. Course convenors will chair the meeting and seek to reach resolutions that PIF staff could then use to draft a joint statement that ministers would debate at the next meeting. 

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 or may not allow 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