Pacific encounters provide an introduction into the debates about theory and practice that shape how we conceptualise and think about the Pacific region and its peoples. And to a certain extent the relationship with Australia and its Indigenous population. The course highlights the mapping of the Pacific, early migrations, historical and current interactions. It will be interactive and based on case studies from Pacific countries, providing students a deep dive into the large and diverse Pacific region. There will be a large focus on economic, cultural, political, and social systems and the complexity of local, nation, regional and global positionalities.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Critically apply a decolonising and indigenising approach to understanding Oceania as a region of diverse societies, cultures and languages
2.  Demonstrate an understanding of diverse transdisciplinary approaches and methods drawn from the humanities, social sciences and environmental studies, to synthesize knowledge about Oceania and its place in the world
3. Evaluate the debates pertinent to the contemporary Pacific, including regional institutions, governance arrangements and migration
4. Critically analyse the continual expanding and mobilising notions of Pacific peoples, including the emerging identities and culture through space, time and place
5. Exercise critical thinking in identifying and evaluating challenges and strategies in Oceania using academic and other approaches addressing a variety of scholarly, policy and public audiences

Research-Led Teaching

This course is taught using research primarily conducted by scholars within the Department of Pacific Affairs at ANU and Pacific island scholars elsewhere. Students will gain first-hand knowledge of research in the topics covered in the course from active academics in Pacific research. The aim of the course is to encourage students to strengthen their knowledge using practical case studies and to teach applicable research skills that are important to know when conducting research within the Pacific region.

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, focus groups

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	Yumalundi - Ngunnawal, Australia and the Pacific connections Introduction to the Pacific and Pacific Studies
2	Academic skills and Library resources
3	Waves of Early migration
4	European explorers, traders, missionaries and colonisation	Assessment 1. Minor Essay
5	Political structures - pre-colonial, colonial, independence and 'decolonisation'
6	'Pacific Way?' -local, regionalism and global engagements
7	Ideologies of sustainable development	Census date 31 March
8	Connections to land, sea and sky - environmental and climate challenges	Assessment 2. Reflective piece
9	Cultural Identity and impacts of globalisation
10	Australia in the Pacific and the Pacific in Australia
11	Media, technologies and popular culture	Assessment 5. Presentation
12	The Blue economy and Pacific futures - wrap up	Assessment 3: Major Essay
13	Study Week
14	Exam Week	Assessment 4: Tutorial participation

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Assessment 1: Minor Essay	25 %	13/03/2025	28/03/2025	1, 2, 3, 4
Assessment 2: Critcal Reflective essay	20 %	24/04/2025	10/05/2024	1,2,3,4
Major Essay	35 %	22/05/2025	06/06/2025	1, 2, 3, 4
Tutorial participation	10 %	17/02/2025	23/05/2025	2, 3, 4
Country Presentation	10 %	17/02/2025	26/06/2025	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 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.

Assessment Task 1

Assessment 1: Minor Essay

Students will be required to write a 1000 essay. Students are required to choose one of the following broad topics to choose from.

• What is Pacific studies, how did it come about and how has it been conceptualised?
• Reflecting on Hau'ofa's seminal piece "Our sea of islands" (1993) critically reflect what you learned from the reading and using other works discuss its relevance and/or limitations for Pacific studies today.
• What evidence do we have about early Pacific migrations? Critically examine the evidence. What does it prove and what are the assumptions? Are there other Pacific cosmologies or understandings that challenge these assumptions.

Word limit (where applicable): 1000 words

Value: 25%

Due date: 13 March 2025

Estimated return date: 28 March 2025

Late submission: As per the ANU late submission policy below

Assessment Task 2

Assessment 2: Critcal Reflective essay

For this assessment you will be required to submit a 750-word critical reflection piece on learnings from the class thus far. Think about what you knew about the Pacific prior to enrollment and how the course has affected your learning. Identify 2-3 key areas of the course that you have found either new or interesting.

Word limit: 750 words or 10 minute (max) video.

Value: 20%

Due date: 17April 2025

Estimated return date: 09 May 2025

Late submission: As per the ANU late submission policy below

Assessment Task 3

Major Essay

Students will be required to write a 1500 word essay. Students are required to choose one of the following broad topics to choose from.

• Discuss the impacts of climate change in the Pacific region, providing examples.
• Explore the impact of local or external sustainable development partnerships in the Pacific region, providing examples.
• Choose one case study between weeks 8-11 and explore the impacts of globalisation on cultural identity.
• Discuss intersectionality and its impacts on Pacific peoples in the diaspora, providing examples.

Word limit (where applicable): 1500 words

Value: 35%

Due date: 22 May 2025

Estimated return date: 09 June 2025

Late submission: As per the ANU late submission policy below

Assessment Task 4

Tutorial participation

Students will be required to participate in tutorials. Their participation mark will be based on their level of engagement in class discussions.

Value: 10%

Due date: Weekly

Assessment Task 5

Country Presentation

For this assessment, you will be required to sign up to present during a tutorial on a particular Pacific Island country. You are expected to present on your selected country for 10 minutes but no longer than 15 minutes.

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. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

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.

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.

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