Course syllabus
PACIFIC 781: TOPICS IN PACIFIC RESEARCH
Semester 2, 2018
Points: 30
Course Description
This course provides students with a wide range of research skills to prepare them for postgraduate research. These skills are anchored in Pacific methodologies and methods, and will enhance students' understanding through practice and application. It will equip students to develop culturally informed research topics and provide the platform for robust, innovative and significant research contributions.
Aims of course
PACIFIC781 aims to:
- provide students with the skills needed to produce effective and impactful research projects
- enhance students' understanding of the application of Pacific methodologies and methods to research projects
- facilitate the practical application of research skills necessary for Postgraduate study
- encourage critical engagement and analysis with existing literature on a chosen research topic
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will be expected to:
- understand the research process and the steps necessary to construct a robust research project
- plan and design a viable research project
- analyse, appraise and critique historical and contemporary research on the chosen research topic
- assess and apply Pacific methodologies and theoretical frameworks to a research project
- comprehend the ethical considerations important to a Pacific research project
Assessment structure
PACIFIC781 is 100% internally assessed. The assessments for this course are:
- Literature review 30% (3000-4000 words) including:
- Draft literature review 10%
- Final literature review 20%
- Research proposal 40% including:
- Research proposal presentation 10%
- Peer feedback 5%
- Final research proposal 25% (4000 words)
- Draft ethics application 30% (3000 words)
Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework
Deadlines for assessments 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. For further information please see the Pacific Studies Late Policy.pdf.
Our Pasifika counsellor, Sarah Va’afusuaga McRobie, is also available to meet with you. Please register for an APPOINTMENT.
Class contact hours
PACIFIC781 will consist of both workshops and talanoa sessions. Workshops will be held on assigned Tuesdays from 10-2pm. Please refer to the schedule below for exact times and dates.
For PACIFIC781 you will also be required to attend two Building Pacific Research Capacity and Scholarship in New Zealand/Aotearoa (BRCSS) Pasifika Postgraduates Talanoa Seminar Series (TBA) throughout the semester. Times for these seminars will be provided in the first week of the semester.
Workshops will incorporate 4 talanoa sessions where students can discuss their assessments and progress.
All classes will be held in 273.108 (Fale Pasifika office block). Here is the schedule for the semester:
Date | Time | Topic | |
17 July (week 1) |
10-12pm | Introduction and initial talanoa | |
24 July (week 2) |
10-2pm | Critical analysis - the Literature review | |
7 August (week 4) |
10-2pm | Introduction to research proposals | |
21 August (week 6) |
10-2pm | How do you design a research project? | Formal and informal mechanisms for publications |
11 September (week 7) |
10-2pm | Theoretical frameworks and methodologies for Pacific research | The heights your Pacific Studies degree will take you I |
18 September (week 8) |
10-2pm | Presentations: research proposals | |
2 October (week 10) |
10-2pm | Human ethics: why? what?how? | The heights your Pacific Studies degree will take you II |
9 October (week 11) |
10-2pm | Talanoa on Human ethics | The heights your Pacific Studies degree will take you III |
Teaching staff
Dr Lisa Uperesa Ph: 09 923 4291 Office: 102J, Fale Office Building 20 Wynyard Road |
Dr Marcia Leenen-Young Ph: 09 923 3239 Office: 102L, Fale Pasifika Office Building 20 Wynyard Road |
Learning resources
A TALIS reading list is provided for expected and recommended reading.
Course expectations
Attendance. It is expected that you will attend all workshops, talanoa sessions, and at least 3 BRCSS seminars. If you are unable to attend please contact the Course Coordinator.
Fa'aaloalo/Faka'apa'apa/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. 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.
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 recognised by academic scholars. Our communities and people hold this knowledge dear, value it deeply, and we expect our students to do the same.
Inclusive teaching
Students are urged to discuss privately any impairment-related requirements face-to-face and/or in written form with the course convenor, lecturer and/or tutor.
Academic Conduct
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.
NOTE: this syllabus is subject to change until 9 July 2018.
Course summary:
Date | Details | Due |
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