The Asia-Pacific region is undergoing rapid changes that present both great opportunities and enormous challenges in a number of areas. The complex interactions across states, institutions, and local communities in the region will determine how the region addresses its major governance challenges, such terrorism, refugees, health, drugs, economic development, and the environment. Using these issues as weekly topical case studies, this course focuses on how the wide range of actors in the Asia-Pacific region attempt to comprehend and resolve governance and policy problems.
This course will be taught in Japan (in English) as part of the Bachelor of Asia Pacific Affairs.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Identify the key concepts, issues and challenges that influence the dynamics of policymaking in the Asia-Pacific today and into the future;
2. demonstrate an understanding of the sources of these concepts, issues and challenges and their historical development in the region;
3. use these concepts in order to critically analyse and evaluate alternative policymaking dilemmas and solutions across the region and globally; and
4. develop the writing, research, and analytical skills needed to effectively communicate, orally and in writing, their own perspectives on these issues, both to scholarly audiences and to practitioners in the field, whether in government or the non-governmental sector
5. apply the knowledge developed through the course to critically analyse case studies relating to governance challenges in the region

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	The Asia-Pacific: Tracing a Transformative Region
2	Global Governance: Actors, Institutions, and Mechanisms
3	Shared Concerns: Security and Sustainability in the Asia-Pacific
4	A World of Crisis: Global Finance and the Economic Crisis of 2008	Assessment Item 1: Recorded Video Introduction, due on October 19 2026Assessment Item 5: Tutorial Presentations commence
5	A World of Crisis: Global Security and Cyberscams
6	A World of Crisis: Global Health and Covid-19
7	A World of Opportunity: Global Governance of Labor Migration
8	A World of Opportunity: Global Governance of Energy Access
9	A World of Opportunity: Global Governance of Climate Change
10	A Shared Future: Global Digital Communication
11	A Shared Future: Global Justice Movements	Assessment Item 2: Global Governance Policy Case Study, due December 7 2026Assessment Item 5: Tutorial Presentations conclude
12	The Asia-Pacific: Reimagining Transformation in the Region?

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Assessment Item 1: Recorded video introduction	15 %	19/10/2026	05/11/2026	1, 2, 4
Assessment Item 2: Global governance policy case study	35 %	07/12/2026	*	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Assessment Item 3: Global governance policy reform case study	35 %	04/01/2027	*	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Assessment Item 4: Tutorial Update Presentation	15 %	*	*	1, 2, 4, 5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Assessment Item 1: Recorded video introduction

This initial assessment is an opportunity to introduce your case study. In introducing your case study you should show comprehension of core course themes, including why is your chosen case a global governance challenge. Your video should introduce the case study – explain what you will be looking at, why this case study was chosen, how it fits within the context of Asia Pacific, and outline what you hope to learn from examining this case.

 

Requirements

·      A video recording of approximately 5 minutes in length (min 4:00 / max 5:15).

·      The student’s face must be visible throughout the recording.

·      Make sure the recording is of sufficient quality and in a standard format that it is possible to view, and that the audio is easy to hear.

·      Do not use a script made with generative AI.

 

Due date: by 18:00 JT on Monday 19 October 2026.

Assessment Task 2

Assessment Item 2: Global governance policy case study

This report should critically examine the governance issue you have chosen. Your assessment should respond to a number of questions including:

• What is the nature of the governance problem your case study deals with?
• How is it regional or global in nature?
• Who is affected by the current situation (governments, communities, corporations, civil society) and in what way (are there winners and losers, who are they, what is the nature of impacts)?
• Are there current governance approaches in place? Are these working or not?
• Why does the issue need governance reform?

 

2000 Words

Due date: by 23:30 JT on Monday 7 December 2026

Assessment Task 3

Assessment Item 3: Global governance policy reform case study

This assessment piece asks you to consider policy solutions to the case study issue you have identified. You should think about a specific reform that could be developed (an agreement, a voluntary code, a policy, an institution) to respond to the problem (in part or whole) you have identified. You should justify why you have proposed this reform. You should also consider the political nature of the reform - how the reform might be implemented (e.g. through a civil society campaign, through a treaty process, through voluntary reforms), including who might have power to shape or resist a reform and the resource implications of your proposed solution.

2000 Words

Due date: by 23:30 JT on Monday 4 January 2027.

Assessment Task 4

Assessment Item 4: Tutorial Update Presentation

Description:

Starting in Week 4, Students will be given the opportunity to reflect on how the presented governance issue is dealt with by a country in the Asia-Pacific Region. 

Students will be assigned a country for the term. Every week, they will receive a set of questions related to the seminar topic. Together with their group, they will have 50 minutes to research and prepare a joint update presentation that reflects on their country's past and current challenges, as well as detailing the activities, collaborations and innovations that the country has engaged in and developed in response to these challenges. Based on their in-class research, each group will jointly prepare a 5-minute update presentation for their peers. 

Students will also have to hand in one set of discussion and presentation notes for their group at the end of the tutorial each week.  

Grades will take consistency and quality of tutorial participation and the quality of the presentations and notes into account. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students