PACIFIC 700 : The Pacific: Interdisciplinary Studies

Arts

2023 Semester One (1233) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An examination of the ways in which the Pacific has been and is studied in the humanities and social sciences; an analysis and evaluation of views and perspectives on the development of the region and its peoples.

Course Overview

This course lies at the heart of postgraduate studies in Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland.  It aims to give students a deeper understanding of Pacific Studies as an (inter)discipline, an understanding of its constituent parts, its intellectual and institutional genealogies, its diversities and its challenges, as well as exploring some specific iterations of Pacific Studies and a few of its key debates.  The course begins with an exploration of Pacific Studies genealogies, discussions of Indigenous knowledge and frameworks, and engagement with the wider politics of knowledge production about the Pacific.  We then turn to key topics and debates, which may include gender and sexualities; cultural production; racialization; political contests and sovereignties; diaspora and transnationalism; globalization, commodities, and extractive policies; and the futures of Pacific Studies and Pacific communities, among other relevant topics.  By turning to some of the ideological and theoretical underpinnings of Pacific Studies, attending to its development and history, and surveying new developments, Pacific 700 offers students a robust foundation for future study in the Pacific that is useful inside and outside the discipline.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop and demonstrate an advanced knowledge of Pacific Studies as a discipline, including interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary aspects. (Capability 1.1)
  2. Develop and demonstrate ability to use Pacific Studies concepts and knowledge independently, and in new contexts. (Capability 1.3 and 4.3)
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of key issues concerning ethics, knowledge, and scholarly production in/about the Pacific. (Capability 1.2 and 2.1)
  4. Develop and demonstrate critical reading, analysis, and writing skills appropriate to postgraduate study. (Capability 2.1, 2.3, 4.1 and 4.2)
  5. Demonstrate independent research skills. (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 2.2 and 4.1)
  6. Lead and participate in discussions of Pacific knowledge and scholarship. (Capability 2.2, 4.1 and 4.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Critical Responses 30% Individual Coursework
Session Convening 10% Group & Individual Coursework
Seminar Contribution 20% Individual Coursework
Research 35% Individual Coursework
Reflection 5% Individual Coursework

Assessments may be updated before the start of the semester.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week involved in each 30 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of seminar discussion and participation, 10 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 7 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation on a weekly (variable) basis.

If you would like to take the class but the 15 point version, see PACIFIC 716.

Assessments and topics subject to change before the semester start.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled seminars to receive credit for components of the course.  These will not be available as recordings.

The course may include live online events, including group discussions; however there is no online enrolment/remote deliver for the course in 2023.

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.

Required texts will be announced.

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.

Topics are revised every semester with student feedback.

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.

Published on 01/11/2022 12:29 p.m.