Course syllabus
PACIFIC 304: Advanced Pacific Studies
SEMESTER 1, 2018
15 points
Course Convenors/Teachers:
AP Damon Salesa
Caleb Marsters (course tutor)
cmar502@aucklanduni.ac.nz
Course delivery format:
Th 1-3 Lecture, Arts 1 Rm 408
Th 3-4 Tutorial, Arts 1 Rm 408
Summary of Course Description:
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 issues facing Pacific communities within and outside New Zealand. Using those as a departure point, students work on their first project in small groups, researching their chosen issue and proposing an intervention. 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 outcomes:
Pacific 304 is a necessary step in strengthening the interdisciplinary “spine” in Pacific studies, a task that is especially important when teaching undergraduates an interdisciplinary, regional approach where most students have limited prior exposure. Pacific Studies 304 will consolidate the teaching of the core elements of Pacific Studies, and ensure that all students who major in Pacific Studies have a deep engagement with both the core components of Pacific Studies, and have engaged with the key varieties of interdisciplinary engagement. In sum the course aims:
- to advance students’ knowledge of the Pacific region, and the interdisciplinary study of the Pacific, in a manner that builds on the beginnings of Pacific 100;
- to ensure students majoring in Pacific studies properly engage with core content and key interdisciplinary methods;
- to contribute to the development of a cohort of Pacific Studies students;
- to concentrate core content and method in a single “spine” to make uniform the expectations and knowledge of our students.
Assessment Summary:
COURSEWORK: 100%
20% Pacific Challenges Group Project
15% Innovation Project
15% Written Responses
10% Research Prospectus and Presentation
30% Research Project/Essay
10% Class Engagement Participation
Prescribed/Recommended Texts:
All course texts will be available via Talis and through the university library.
Course Schedule Summary (see Modules for session details)
* - Assignment due dates
|
1 March |
1.1 Class Introduction |
|
8 March |
1.2 Governmentality 1.3 Pacific Challenges Workshop |
|
15 March |
1.4 Meeting Pacific Challenges - Impact Gaps Canvas 1.5 Consult |
|
*19 March |
Group Challenge Assignment Drafts Due by 12pm/midday |
|
22 March |
1.6 Seeking Solutions: CIE Workshop |
|
29 March |
1.7 Presentations |
|
*29 March |
Innovation Proposals and Final Challenge Projects Due by 11:59pm |
|
30 Mar-14 Apr |
Mid-Semester Break |
|
19 April |
2.1 Research Ethics, Critiques, Orientations 2.2 Developing Your Research Question |
|
26 April |
2.3 Research Workshop 2.4 Research Skills and Strategies |
|
*2 May |
Research Project Prospectus Due by 11:59pm |
|
3 May |
2.5 Research Mentor Panel 2.6 Consult |
|
10 May |
2.7 Pacific Studies Futures: CDES Workshop 2.8 Consult |
|
17 May |
2.9 Preliminary Research Project Presentations |
|
24 May |
2.10 Consult 2.11 Consult |
|
31 May |
Pacific Research Night |
|
*14 June |
Research Project Due by 4pm |
Course expectations:
Attendance. As this is a class that is student-centered and project-based, only meeting once a week, it is expected that you will attend all field trips, and all classes. Any absence from class must be notified beforehand. Absence from class does not excuse student from submitting online work, except in the case of illness—illness should be verified.
Fa’aaloalo/Respect. Respect each other. Respect the instructor, and the institution. Respect the knowledge we are developing and learning. Respect other cultures and ways of being and doing. This is particularly important as this is a class that has a great deal of student leadership and student groups. Honour the work of your colleagues, support them in their learning, and contribute to the learning of others and yourself.
Preparation. Be prepared. Being prepared for class is an essential part of research, learning and teaching. Being unprepared prevents you from learning; it also inhibits the work of others, and the class, and prevents your full development as a student in the course. The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly.
Knowledge. Universities exist to teach, and to research. In Pacific Studies we teach and research Pacific peoples, communities and places, knowledge that has at times been neglected or maligned, or which in many cases has only recently been recognized by academic scholars. Our communities and people hold this knowledge dear, value it deeply, and we expect our students to do the same.
Coursework. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks.
Late Submissions and Extensions. Deadlines for essays and assignments, and set times for test taking and presentations, are strictly observed in Pacific Studies. This policy is to ensure fairness amongst students, and to promote key learning skills such as preparation, planning and timeliness. All late work and missed tests will be subject to a penalty. An extension of time will be given only for illness or compassionate grounds. You must supply documentation (eg, doctor’s certificate or letter from the counsellor). Criteria for approval of late submission reflect the criteria for aegrotat and compassionate pass consideration in final examinations. You must apply for an extension of time before the due date either by emailing your request and reasons to your tutor. Retrospective approval will be given only in exceptional circumstances. You can apply for an aegrotat or compassionate consideration in coursework by completing and submitting an AS-46.
Support. Student Health and Counselling Services is able to certify both compassionate and medical issues. These services are confidential and also provide support and expertise that your lecturers and tutors are unable to. They can be found at Kate Edger Information Commons and are open from 8.30am to 6pm (Monday to Thursday), 8.30am to 5pm (Friday). Phone: 923-7681. Doctor’s visits are $12. Visits to the counsellor are free.
The Pasifika Counsellor is:
Sarah Va’afusuaga McRobie
Level 3, Kate Edger Information Commons
2 Alfred Street
City Campus
Standard hours: 8.30am to 6pm (Monday to Thursday), 8.30am to 5pm (Friday)
Penalties. All late essays, assessments or missed tests that do not have certificates of the appropriate medical or compassionate grounds, will be subject to penalty. In Pacific Studies courses, the following schedule of penalties will apply:
- Work handed in after the due time, but not more than 24 hours late, will incur a penalty of one-third of a full letter grade. (For example, an essay graded as an A- will become a B+; a C+ essay will be graded as a C)
- Work handed in more than 24 hours late, but not more than 7 days late, will be penalized an additionalone-third of a full letter grade. (For example, an A- essay will be graded as a B; a B essay will be graded as a C+)
- Essays handed in between 7 and 14 days late will be penalized by a furtherone-third of a full letter grade. (For example, an A- essay will be graded as B-; a C+ essay will be graded as a D+).
- No essays will be accepted more than two weeks after the assigned date unless an extension has been granted for medical or compassionate grounds.
- All late work should be submitted through Canvas.
Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism. 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 work, reflecting his or her learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the world-wide web. A student’s assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review. For more detailed information, see the University’s guidelines at http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/about/teaching-learning/policies-procedures.
Referencing. Ensure APA style referencing is used for assignments. Click on the following link to access an APA guide: https://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/subject-guides/edu/docs/APAbooklet.pdf
Course summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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