This course explores the tangled, at times uneasy, interactions between environment and development in the region of Oceania. We will consider how diverse Oceanian environments provide important development opportunities for local communities and economies, reflect on the environmental (and social) impacts wrought by development, and problematise what ‘development’ means in an age of climate crisis and enduring colonial legacies. Each week you will learn from ANU Pacific experts and discuss development case studies from the region in conversation with one popular development concept. This will demonstrate the power of conceptual frameworks in shaping our understanding of environment and development, and highlight the strengths and limitations of working with concepts in scholarly analysis. The course examines the contemporary relationships between environment, development and conflict in the cultural area known as “Melanesia”, with a particular focus on the independent nations of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Teaching and learning are organised around three case applied studies in which groups of students take the lead in directing the enquiry. The broad topics of the case studies are land and development, conflict, and Australia's ongoing engagements with the Pacific. This transdisciplinary course will modern Pacific society, at the same time learning from indigenous and traditional knowledge to build resilient communities.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate an awareness of the diversity and complexity of perspectives on natural resource exploitation in developing country settings, particularly the Pacific Islands
- Describe and critique key theoretical perspectives on sustainable development and environmental revival and conservation in developing country settings
- Describe and critique key policy approaches to managing and mitigating environmental degradation in Pacific Island context
- Apply some of the methodological and conceptual tools of social sciences to the analysis of natural resource conflicts and questions of sustainable development
- Be engaged with critical issues of development that foster an appreciation of the power of conceptual frameworks
Indicative Assessment
- Critical Reflection (1,000) (20) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Essay plan and annotated bibliography (1,500) (30) [LO 2,3,4]
- Research Essay (2,500) (40) [LO 2,3,4,5]
- Tutorial Discussion of Readings (10) [LO 1,2,3,5]
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, including some 24 hours of lectures or an equivalent activity and some 12 hours of tutorials or equivalent activity. 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.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
N/A
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 | $6360 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8795 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |