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. Students learn about different resources and research approaches, focusing on Pacific research values and methodologies/methods. We also discuss recent history of research with Indigenous peoples, focus on reading about Pacific research by Pacific researchers, and both discuss and apply applying for ethics in research. The 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. This is an ethics-approved course, so students have the ability to apply what they have learnt by building and carrying out research projects. Each assessment scaffolds towards a final research paper and presentation. The class fittingly ends with a 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
Research project (presentation and final paper)	45%	Individual Coursework
Research proposal	15%	Individual Coursework
Research consults	15%	Individual Coursework
Research question and objectives	5%	Individual Coursework
Literature review	20%	Individual Coursework
5 types	100%

Next offered

2022

Workload Expectations

This course is a 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.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities to complete components of the course, including the PACIFIC 304 Research Night.
Lectures and tutorials are sequential and are taught in a collaborative workshop style. Regular attendance is highly recommended.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning 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.

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.

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.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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 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.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

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

2022 Semester Two (1225) (15 POINTS)