This course is about development and politics in the island countries of the Pacific. It outlines the vulnerability of these countries and surveys colonial impacts and forms of government. Tensions between 'tradition' and modernity are then examined through consideration of culture and ideology, political participation, state and civil society, the situation of women, ethnicity and regionalism. The last part of the course considers the countries of the Pacific Islands in the global context. It examines key economic issues, regional cooperation, foreign aid and governance reform in the 21st century.

2,500 word essay (50%) and final examination (50%).

One 2 hour lecture and one tutorial per week. Lecture outlines will be available on the web.

Two first-year courses in Political Science, or Sociology, or Anthropology, or Geography, or Economics, or Economic History, or with the permission of the lecturer.