PACIFIC 304 Advanced Pacific Studies - Course Outlines

Course Prescription

This is the 'capstone' course for the Pacific Studies major. It is particularly engaged with the theory and methods of Pacific Studies. Different modes of presenting Pacific Studies work, and their relevance for real world applications - from policy papers and briefings to NGO reports - are also explored. The central feature of the course is the large project to be completed by each student, which will combine knowledge taught in this course with original research.

Course Overview

This is the capstone course for the Pacific Studies major. The purpose of this course is to equip and empower students in their understanding of interdisciplinary methods and approaches in Pacific studies, to do work that engages Pacific communities. We start the course with student-led discussions about topics in Pacific research within and outside New Zealand. Using those as a departure point, students work on their first project in small groups, researching their chosen topics and presenting their research. Along the way, students learn about different resources and research approaches, as well as tap in to their own creativity. Different modes of presenting Pacific Studies work and their relevance for real world applications - from policy papers and briefings to NGO reports - are also explored.

The course features guest speakers and field trips that are designed to expose students to different kinds of work in and with Pacific communities (past field trip sites have included the Auckland Art Gallery and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, with guest speakers from the Ministry of Pacific Peoples, Pacific Studies faculty and alumni, and tailored workshops by Career Development and Employability Services, among others). The last section and central feature of the course is the original research project completed by each student, which builds on methods and knowledge learned over the course of the semester. The class fittingly ends with presentations at Pacific Research Night, which is open to the public.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: PACIFIC 200 and a minimum B– average at Stage II in Pacific Studies

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Further develop students’ knowledge of the Pacific region and the interdisciplinary study of the Pacific, in a manner that builds on the beginnings of Pacific 100 and the design of Pacific 200 (Capability 1.1 and 6.2)
Demonstrate an understanding of Pacific Studies and the core content and key interdisciplinary methods used (Capability 1.3 and 6.2)
Develop advanced research and analytical skills through lectures, tutorials and assessments (Capability 2.1)
Create innovative approaches and produce effective assessments on topics in Pacific research (Capability 2.2 and 4.1)
Demonstrate a constructive approach to group learning and assessment, working with peers to explore a key topic in Pacific Studies and produce an effective output, while also contributing to the development of a cohort of Pacific Studies' students (Capability 3.1 and 4.3)
Create an significant piece of research on the Pacific and/or Pacific peoples that demonstrates advanced research methods and design for an undergraduate student (Capability 2.2 and 3.2)
Demonstrate reflective, independent learning through regular self-assessment and engagement with the course, teaching staff and peers (Capability 5.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type	Percentage	Classification
Pacific research group project and presentation	25%	Group & Individual Coursework
Research project (presentation and final paper)	40%	Individual Coursework
Research prospectus and presentation	15%	Individual Coursework
Research responses	20%	Individual Coursework
4 types	100%

Next offered

2021

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Capability 1:	Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2:	Critical Thinking
Capability 3:	Solution Seeking
Capability 4:	Communication and Engagement
Capability 5:	Independence and Integrity
Capability 6:	Social and Environmental Responsibilities

PACIFIC 304 : Advanced Pacific Studies

Arts

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)