our future, your future 2007 distance and flexible learning handbook

2007 DISTANCE AND FLEXIBLE LEARNING HANDBOOK
OUR FUTURE, YOUR FUTURE

Published by
The University of the South Pacific (USP)
Suva, Fiji
Designed and produced by
The University of the South Pacific’s
Marketing and Communications Office.
©The University of the South Pacific, 2007
The University of the South Pacific is a regional non-profit organisation under the ownership and governance of 12 Pacific states.
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CONTENTS
CONTENTS
DISTANCE AND FLEXIBLE LEARNING HANDBOOK
Page
2007 Principal Dates 4
Welcome to USP 5
What is Distance and Flexible Learning?
• What are the benefits of studying
by DFL? 6
• What is different about studying
by DFL at USP? 6
• Will studying by DFL be appropriate
for me? 7
What programs and courses are
offered by DFL?
• What do I need to know about
enrolling as a DFL student? 8
• What are USP’s admission criteria? 8
• What USP academic terms should
I become familiar with? 9
• How do I select my USP program
of study? 10
• What programs are offered at USP? 11
Page
• What courses are offered by
DFL in 2007? 16
How do I enrol?
• How do I apply to study at USP? 21
• What are my registration options? 22
• What is the compulsory ELSA Test? 22
• FAQs about: Enrolment 22
• What regulations should I be
aware of? 23
• FAQs about: Fees 25
How do I study by DFL?
• When will I get my course materials? 26
• What will be in my course
materials package? 26
• FAQs about: Course Materials 26
• What services and learning resources
are available at the campus? 27
• FAQs about: Study Support 28
• FAQs about: Online Learning 29
Page
• Tips on using the audio
conferencing facilities 29
• Tips on using the video
conferencing facilities 30
• What do I need to do to study
effectively? 30
• How do I learn through reading? 31
• How do I learn through note-taking? 32
How will my learning be assessed?
• How is my academic progress
measured? 35
• How do I learn through writing
assignments? 36
• FAQs about: Assignments 37
• How do I prepare for my tests
and examinations? 38
• FAQs about: Examinations 39
Who can I contact if I have a
problem or question?
• USP campuses 40
• Academic advisors 42
CONTENTS USP

2007 PRINCIPAL DATES
2007 PRINCIPAL DATES
Important Dates
Semester Schedule
Semester-long Courses 30-week Courses
Enrolment period for Semester I 5-10 February 5-10 February
ELSA Test (all campuses – see local advertisements)
18 or 19 January
ELSA Test (all campuses – see local advertisements)
8 or 9 February
Semester begins 12 February 26 March
Late Enrolment ( - $55 fine enrolment fee)) 12-16 February 12-16 February
Alafua, Emalus, Laucala Campuses
Final date for withdrawal from Semester I courses with full refund of tuition fees
Regional Campuses
Final date for withdrawal from courses with full refund of tuition fees
23 February
31 March 4 May
Final date for students to pay fees before incurring late payment charge 31 March 27 April
4
Mid-semester break
All Campuses
Final date for withdrawal from Semester 1 courses that students do not want to be assessed
Semester I examinations
Semester 1 break
31 March – 8 April
20 April 3 July
4 – 15 June
16 June – 15 July
Enrolment period for Semester II
9 – 14 July
ELSA Test (all campuses – see local advertisements)
12 or 13 July
Semester II begins
16 July
Late Enrolment ($55 fine applies )
Alafua, Emalus, Laucala Campuses
Final date for withdrawal from Semester II courses with full refund of tuition fees
Other USP Campuses:
Final date for withdrawal from Semester II courses with full refund of tuition fees
Final date for students to pay Semester II fees before incurring late payment charge
16 – 27 July
27 July
31 August
31 August
Mid-semester break
All Campuses
Final date for withdrawal from Semester 1 courses that students do not want to be assessed
1 – 9 September
21 September
Semester II and 30-week examinations 5 – 16 November 5 – 16 November
ELSA Test (all campuses – see local advertisements)
13 or 14 December
Important Notes:
1 The important dates that relate to specific DFL courses are found in individual course Introduction and Assignments Booklets
2 Refer to USP campus staff for confirmation of the above dates (especially where two dates are given for ELSA Tests) as these may vary for
each campus because of local public holidays and dateline issues.
2007 PRINCIPAL DATES USP

WELCOME
WELCOME TO USP
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC
Congratulations on choosing to study at the
University of the South Pacific (USP) and
a warm welcome to all new and returning
students in 2007, right around the region.
Distance and flexible learning provides a range
of educational opportunities to those of you
who are already employed, are unable to leave
home due to other commitments, are still
deciding on a future career or are wishing to
do something intellectually stimulating. These
opportunities are available at USP no matter
where you are located.
USP received the Commonwealth of Learning
Excellence in Distance Education Award
for Institutional Achievement last year. This
Award was developed to recognise significant
achievements by institutions throughout
the Commonwealth in the innovative and
effective application of appropriate learning
technologies. DFL augments the University’s
continuing commitment to enhancing the
quality of support and delivery of programs
and courses to you - our students around the
region.
USP is your University. You are encouraged
to fully utilise the diverse services, resources
and progressive technology available at USP,
to advance your knowledge and to realise
your goals. All USP Campuses in our 12 USP
Member Countries are set up to facilitate and
enhance your learning and to make your study
a more enjoyable experience. I encourage
you to demand excellent services and quality
facilities from your USP Campuses and to
express any concerns you may have.
I wish you all the best in your studies in
2007. I hope the year will be a rewarding and
enjoyable one for you.
Professor Anthony Tarr
Vice-Chancellor
WELCOME USP

WHAT IS DFL?
WHAT IS DISTANCE &
FLEXIBLE LEARNING?
What are the benefits of studying
by Distance and Flexible Learning?
Distance and Flexible Learning (DFL) at USP
offers you a way to gain a higher education
through a variety of modes and technologies.
The ‘distance’ aspect allows you to take
courses and pursue USP programs of study
from locations throughout USP’s 14 campuses
in the region. The ‘flexible’ aspect lets you fit
tertiary study into your own schedule and in a
learning mode that best suits you.
Studying by DFL is ideal for students who are
unable to study full-time and who do not have
easy access to one of USP’s main campuses.
As a DFL student, you benefit from flexibility
in your studies. Your study schedule can
be accommodated to fit in with your other
commitments and you can progress through
your studies at your own pace.
What is different about studying by
DFL at USP?
When you study by Distance and Flexible
Learning at USP, what you learn is the very
much the same as the University’s on-campus
students. The difference is the way in which
you learn it.
USP students who study on-campus mostly
learn through the type of face-to-face teaching
everyone is familiar with from their primary and
secondary education. Face-to-face teaching
involves a teacher being physically present with
a group of students in a classroom or lecture
hall.
USP’s Distance and Flexible Learning utilises
a greater variety of methods, media and
technology than face-to-face teaching. Types
of delivery, support and materials vary from
course to course and this is reflected in the
fees that you pay. Some of the ways of learning
may feel strange to begin with, but once you
have begun studying through DFL you will
quickly become familiar with them. However,
to become a successful DFL student you will
need to be an independent learner and to be
committed and disciplined with your time.
DFL learning materials
When you study through DFL your learning
materials have been professionally developed
by a course team, including subject matter
experts, instructional designers, educational
technologists and media specialists to enable
you to study most effectively.
The majority of DFL courses make use of print
materials, including study guides, readers and
commercial readers. Many courses are also
enhanced with media resources on tapes, CD-
ROMs or DVDs. Increasingly online learning
and web-based resources are becoming a
feature of DFL courses. You can enquire on
enrolment whether you will require computer
and Internet access to study and how you can
obtain these at your local campus.
Internet courses (Law)
Currently only USP’s School of Law offers
entire courses through Internet mode.
Distance and Flexible Learning students
completing law courses have Internet access
to discussion groups, tests, reading materials
and the electronic law databases: Paclii, Bailii
and Worldlii. These law courses run during
the normal 15-week semester and require
a minimum number of access hours to the
Internet and e-mail, as well as additional
access to a computer for assignments. For
more information about Internet Law courses,
contact your local USP campus, or Student
Academic Services on the three major
campuses (see pages 41-42 for contact
details).
Communication technologies in
DFL
Through the USPNet, a satellite
communications system owned and operated
by USP, DFL courses employ a range of
communications technologies to support your
studies. These include:
• Audio teleconferencing, which is widely
used to provide audio-based ‘satellite’
tutorials run from one of the three main
campuses in Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu. If
such ‘satellite’ tutorials are part of your
DFL course you will be able to attend at
the teleconferencing studio at your local
campus.
• Video conferencing, which provides fully
interactive two-way audio and video, is
used by a smaller number of courses,
especially for small postgraduate groups.
• Online discussion boards and chat
rooms, enabled in a learning
management system (LMS) provide
opportunities for tutorial and peer
communication. Electronic discussion
boards can offer a very flexible
way to discuss, ask questions and
obtain information, allowing you to
read and contribute at a pace and time
that suits you. Chat rooms, on the
other hand, allow real-time communication
and are very suitable for ‘live’ question and
answer sessions with your tutor or for
student group work.
WHAT IS DFL? USP

• How many courses can I comfortably take
in a year?
• How long will it take me to complete my
chosen program of study?
WHAT IS DFL?
• Can I afford such a long-term financial
commitment? If not, can I reorganise my
financial commitments?
• Am I eligible for any scholarships or
financial support programs offered by
my government or other non-government
organisations?
• How many courses in my chosen program
of study are available through Distance
• E-mail enables you to contact your
tutor/course coordinator and other
students quickly and easily no matter
where they are located. All DFL students
can obtain an e-mail account on enrolment.
Other teaching and learning support
for DFL
In addition to the support you may receive from
a distance through USPNet, some courses and
campuses also have local tutors who will offer
face to face tutorials. In other cases lecturers/
tutors from the USP major- campuses may
make short teaching visits to your local campus
depending on student numbers, demand and
available funding.
The type of academic support for your chosen
course of study will vary from course to
course, but whatever you study, the Centre for
Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT)
can provide assistance in academic, learning
and study skills, English language skills and
numeracy. Contact your local USP campus to
find out more about these services.
Flexi-school courses
Flexi-school courses are selected on-campus
courses which are offered to DFL students at
local USP campuses, by agreement between
the relevant School or Department and the
Campus Director. The structure of these
courses involves a course lecturer coming
to your USP campus to teach an intensive
version of the on-campus course face-to-face.
Flexi-school courses are considered ‘intensive’
because over a period of about four to six
weeks of full-time study, your lecturer will
teach you the same amount of material that an
on-campus USP student would normally study
within a 15-week semester.
Flexi-school courses are often offered during
USP’s semester breaks and the range of
courses offered is determined by student
demand and the availability of a course lecturer,
so register your interest in flexi-school courses
with the director of your local USP campus or
Student Academic Services on the three major
USP campuses, Alafua, Emalus or Laucala (see
pages 41-42 for contact details).
Will studying through DFL be
appropriate for me?
Once you have decided on a career path and
selected the appropriate USP program of study
to achieve it, you will also need to create a
plan that will take into account these personal
considerations.
• What is my current learning style? Am I
willing to adapt the way I learn to fully
utilise the different delivery modes that are
now available?
and Flexible Learning before I need to
consider transferring to study on campus?
• Will my family or spouse support my choice
to pursue further education?
• Can I comfortably adjust my personal
schedule to allow for study time?
• Is my workplace flexible enough to
allow me to attend tutorials, tests and
examinations?
• Am I really ready to commit myself to
further education?
You might like to talk to an academic advisor
or counsellor at your local USP campus to help
you make the most appropriate choices and
learning pathways in your chosen area of study.
WHAT IS DFL? USP

USP PROGRAMS
WHAT PROGRAMS AND
COURSES ARE OFFERED?
What do I need to know about
enrolling as a DFL student?
What are USP’s admission criteria?
ACRONYMS
Studying by Distance and Flexible Learning is
both flexible and challenging. It is crucial that
you meet the admission criteria specified for
your USP program and DFL courses. This will
ensure that you adequately cope with your
program and course requirements, at the same
time ensuring that your learning experience is
positive and rewarding.
USP students studying through distance and
flexible learning usually come from four general
categories:
• Form Six or Form Seven (or equivalent)
students straight out of secondary school
who want to continue into tertiary studies;
CCCE
CEDT
CELT
Centre for Continuing and
Community Education
Centre for Educational
Development and Technology
Centre for Excellence in
Learning and Teaching
• Be aware of when applications for
enrolment will be advertised and send in
your application as soon as you see that
your local USP campus is
inviting applications for enrolments.
• Advertisements are usually published in
your local newspapers, through
radio stations, television and on noticeboards
at USP campuses; however, this
differs from campus to campus.
• People who are currently working and
want to pursue USP programs of study on
a part-time basis;
• Mature students who have not participated
in study for a long period of time and want
to re-commence studying; and,
• People who do not want to pursue
academic qualifications but wish to
engage in lifelong learning for personal
development, enjoyment and/or training.
CFS
DFL
DFLSC
ELSA
FAL
FBE
FIO
College of Foundation Studies
Distance and Flexible Learning
Distance and Flexible
Learning Support Centre
English Language Skills
Assessment
Faculty of Arts and Law
Faculty of Business and
Economics
Faculty of Islands and Oceans
• Semester I and 30-week courses are
normally advertised around September
to November of the previous year.
Semester II courses are normally
advertised in April of the same year. Flexischool
offerings are advertised around
April and September of the same year.
The admission criteria differ according to the type
of student you are. Admission requirements for
USP’s Pre-Degree, Certificate, Diploma, Degree
and Postgraduate programs are listed in the
2007 Enrolment Guide and the 2007 Calendar.
FST
GPA
GSB
OC
Faculty of Science and
Technology
Grade point average
Graduate School of Business
on-campus
PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
• If you require further information regarding
applying to register for Distance and
Flexible Learning courses, contact staff at
your local USP campus or Student
Academic Services on the three major USP
campuses - Alafua, Emalus or Laucala.
SAS
SOLS
UPR
USP
Student Academic Services
Student Online Services
Unsatisfactory Progress
Regulations
The University of the South
Pacific
USPSA
The University of the South
Pacific Students’ Association
USP PROGRAMS USP

What USP academic terms should I become familiar with?
The following glossary aims to assist new Division
students understand words commonly used
One of the administrative units into which a
at USP.
School may be divided. A division normally
takes its name from the discipline it teaches.
Admission
Discipline
The assessment of the eligibility of an applicant
An area of study such as Chemistry, Economics
to study a USP program
or Tourism
Aegrotat Pass
Elective course
A pass granted (on application) to a student
A course chosen by the student, usually from
who falls ill during, or immediately prior to,
a discipline outside the student’s major(s) or
their final examination. A student’s eligibility
minor(s) which must be passed as part of a
for a pass is assessed based on his/her total
program
coursework mark in the course
Compassionate Pass
Enrolment
Strictly speaking, the completion of the three
A pass granted (on application) to a student
processes of admission, registration and fee
who, because of the death of a close family
payment, but often loosely used to just mean
member immediately prior to their final
any one of those three, depending on the
examination, either missed the exam or
context
performed poorly. A student’s eligibility for
the pass is assessed based on his or her total Faculty
coursework mark in the course
A coherent grouping of academic departments
Completion
and/or schools, headed by a Dean
The administrative process of checking that Flexi-school course
a student has met all the requirements of a Formerly known as a summer school or winter
program in which they wish to graduate
school – a course taught intensively at your
Core Course
local campus, usually during semester breaks
A compulsory course that the students doing a Grade Point Average
particular program must pass
A measure of the overall level of a student’s
Course
achievement, calculated by assigning points
to the grades achieved in each of their USP
A component of a discipline of study, normally
courses, and finding the average of the points
one semester or trimester long
Cross Credit
Major
A discipline in which a student can specialise
A USP course awarded to a student on the
when studying for a USP degree; for example,
basis of a pass in the same or equivalent
Accounting, Geography, or Physics
course in a completed USP qualification, or
at another recognised tertiary institution. The Minor
cross credit awarded may be a specific course A supplementary discipline taken in addition
or an unspecified course at a particular level to and in support of a major, for a USP degree
Department
program
One of the administrative units into which a Mode of study
Faculty may be divided. A department normally The medium used in the delivery and support
takes its name from the discipline it teaches. of a course. Possible modes of study currently
Direct Credit
used are face-to-face (called on-campus
when referring to Alafua, Emalus or Laucala
A USP course which was taken by a student
Campuses), print and Internet (also called
for an incomplete USP qualification, which
online)
is counted towards a USP qualification the
student is now completing
On-Campus
Describes courses that are delivered face-toface
at Alafua, Emalus or Laucala Campuses
Prerequisite course
A course that must be passed before a student
can register for another specific course,
normally at a higher level
Program
An arrangement of courses fitting the
requirements for a USP qualification such as a
certificate, a diploma or a degree
Registration
The process of electronic or manual approval,
by appropriate authorities, of students’ chosen
courses
Restricted Pass
A pass granted to a student who has marginally
failed the final course required to complete
their program
School
One of the administrative units into which a
Faculty may be divided. Usually a school takes
its name from the disciplines it teaches.
Semester
The normal duration for which a course is
offered
Service Course
A compulsory course from outside the major
(or minor) discipline, which supports the major
(or minor) courses
Trimester
The normal duration of a GSB course, which is
shorter than a semester
Tutorial
An interactive university teaching technique in
which a small group of students (not usually
more than fifteen) meets with an academic staff
member to discuss concepts covered in recent
lectures or to work through applied examples
of theory
Unsatisfactory Progress
The failure of a student to pass sufficient
courses in the preceding academic year,
resulting in, initially being put on probation, and
subsequently being suspended for one or more
semesters
USP PROGRAMS
USP PROGRAMS USP

USP PROGRAMS
HOW DO I SELECT MY USP
PROGRAM OF STUDY?
10
Now that you are aware of the different ways
you can learn through Distance and Flexible
Learning, you will need to think about selecting
your USP program of study and relevant
courses. At the University of the South Pacific,
your ‘program’ of study refers to the qualification
that you are pursuing. USP offers different levels
of Predegree undergraduate and postgraduate
programs of study.
The first level, Continuing and Community
Education, offers programs of study
recommended for students who may have
dropped out of secondary school at Form
Four or Five and who therefore do not have
any formal academic qualifications. The next
level, USP’s Preliminary program of study, is
for students who wish to obtain the equivalent
level to Form 6. The program helps bridge gaps
in your knowledge so you can progress to
the Foundation program of study. Each level,
starting from the Preliminary program of study
onwards, is a sequential stepping stone towards
obtaining a USP degree. A bachelor’s degree
is the last level of an undergraduate program
of study. Once you graduate with a degree you
may be able to select a postgraduate program
of study to obtain a Postgraduate Certificate, a
Postgraduate Diploma, a Master’s degree or
even a Doctorate (PhD).
Some points to consider when selecting your
program.
• Choose a program that matches your skills,
personal qualities and abilities.
• Be realistic about the length of your
study and your continued commitment to
its completion.
• Be mindful of possible programs that can
best utilise your previous qualifications.
• Pursue a program that is most relevant to
your intended career.
• Talk to as many people as possible about
what you are thinking of doing, such as
career advisors, second and final year
degree students, academic advisors,
family, friends or people who have chosen
similar career paths in the industry in which
you are interested.
More information on the specific USP programs
of study offered through Distance and Flexible
Learning is available on pages 11 of this
handbook.
USP PROGRAMS USP

WHAT PROGRAMS ARE
OFFERED AT USP?
USP PROGRAMS
Continuing and Community
Education Programs
National Programs
At a national level, Continuing and Community
Education courses offered by USP campuses
are determined by local needs and resources.
Subjects taught include computer skills,
languages, bookkeeping, mathematics,
business studies, economics, creative writing,
community development skills, literature,
handicrafts, floral arts, fabric arts, woodcarving,
fine arts, carving, poetry, music, video
production, leadership skills, health studies,
public speaking, problem solving and general
literacy skills.
The USP campuses advertise their courses
in the local newspapers, radio or on noticeboards,
on a semester basis. The duration of
courses varies from 10 to 32 hours of teaching
spread over a number of weeks.
Regional programs
USP offers a range of more formal regional
programs through Distance and Flexible
Learning. The learning and teaching materials
used by regional programs are co-ordinated
by the Centre for Continuing and Community
Education staff based at Laucala Campus in
Fiji. Students who take regional programs are
required to have completed the equivalent of
Form 4 English. The four programs offered are:
Basic Preparatory Program
• aimed at mature age students who may
have left schooling early, or a long time
ago, or recently left Form 4 or Form 5 as a
bridging program before commencing a
Preliminary Program. Th BPP consists
seven basic courses in Accounting,
Biology, Economics, English, Geography,
History and Mathematics
Certificate In Disability Studies
• aimed at providing caregivers of the
disabled with a wide range of knowledge
and skills related to disability issues,
concerns and challenges
Certificate In Early Childhood Education
• aimed at the professional upgrading of
pre-school teachers in the region
Community Workers Certificate
• aimed at those doing community work
involving youth, the aged, human rights,
reproductive health, environment, health,
nutrition, AIDS/STIs, women, etc.).
Pre-degree Programs
USP’s Preliminary Programs and courses
provide preparation for entry into USP
Foundation Programs, which in turn provide
a pathway to degree-level study at USP or
other universities. The qualifications offered at
schools in USP member countries are at the
same level as the USP pre-degree courses
listed below:
11
Country ‘Form 6’ or Preliminary level ‘Form 7’ or Foundation level
Cook Islands NZ NCEA* Level 2 NZ NCEA* Level 3
Kiribati SPBEA** Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate SPBEA** South Pacific Form Seven Certificate
Fiji Fiji School Leaving Certificate Fiji Seventh Form Certificate
Marshall Islands No equivalent No equivalent
Nauru SPBEA** Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate No equivalent
Niue NZ NCEA* Level 2 No equivalent
Samoa SPBEA** Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate NUS Foundation Certificate
Solomon Islands SPBEA** Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate No equivalent
Tokelau NZ NCEA* Level 2 No equivalent
Tonga SPBEA** Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate SPBEA** South Pacific Form Seven Certificate
Tuvalu SPBEA** Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate No equivalent
Vanuatu SPBEA** Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate SPBEA** South Pacific Form Seven Certificate
*NZ NCEA = New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement
**SPBEA = South Pacific Board for Educational Assessment
USP PROGRAMS USP

USP PROGRAMS
Preliminary Programs
Preliminary programs are aimed at mature
entrants who have left school early but who
now wish to re-commence studying. In
addition students from USP member countries
who have not performed well in their Form 6
(or equivalent) examinations can take courses
for a USP Preliminary Program in either science
or social science, with the aim of then moving
on to a Foundation Program. Preliminary
courses are offered only by distance and
flexible learning.
Foundation Programs
Foundation Programs form a pathway to
degree-level study at USP. Students entering
the USP Foundation Programs will normally
have passed a University Senate-approved
Form 6 examination (or equivalent), or have
completed a USP Preliminary Program.
Students enrol in either the Foundation
Science Program or the Foundation Social
Science Program, depending on the subjects
they studied at secondary school (or in the
Preliminary program), and also the degree
program they want to pursue once they
complete their Foundation studies. Students
hoping to do a degree at USP or another
university on completion of a Foundation
program should make sure they register for the
prerequisite courses needed for their intended
further studies. Foundation courses are offered
only by distance and flexible learning.
Certificate Programs
USP offers a wide range of certificate
qualifications, many of which only require
the completion of up to six courses. The
lists of courses and electives for all certificate
programs are found in the 2007 Enrolment
Guide. It is possible to complete twelve of the
certificate programs completely by distance
and flexible learning, and these certificates are
marked with an asterisk (*) below.
You must ensure you meet the admission
criteria for the particular certificate program
you select. These are also listed in the 2007
Enrolment Guide. Generally admission to
certificates is on the basis of an overall pass in
Form 6, plus a year’s relevant work experience,
or alternatively, admission as a mature entrant
with more extensive relevant work experience.
Please seek assistance from Student Academic
Services, an academic advisor for the relevant
school, department or faculty, or staff at your
campus when choosing your program and
courses.
In 2007 USP is offering certificates in:
Certificates in
Offered by
Apparel & Textiles
School of Education
Basic Counselling
School of Social Sciences
12
* Basic Skills in Library/Inf. Studies School of Education
Community Development
School of Social Sciences
* Computing School of Computing, Information & Mathematical Sciences
Earth Science & Marine Geology
Food Science
Geomatics
Geospatial Science
School of Biological, Chemical & Environmental Sciences
School of Biological, Chemical & Environmental Sciences
Department of Land Management
School of Geography
* Information Systems School of Computing, Information & Mathematical Sciences
Land Use Planning
Department of Land Management
* Law School of Law
* Management Studies School of Management & Public Administration
* Non-Formal Education School of Education
* Ocean Resources Management School of Marine Studies
* Official Statistics School of Economics
* Policing School of Social Sciences
* Population Studies & Demography School of Geography
Real Estate
Statistics
Department of Land Management
School of Computing, Info. & Mathematical Sciences
* Teaching Agriculture (Advanced) School of Education
The Teaching of an Expressive Art
Theatre Arts
School of Education
School of Language, Arts & Media
* Tourism Studies Department of Tourism & Hospitality
USP PROGRAMS USP

Diploma Programs
USP offers a wide range of diploma
qualifications, many of which only require the
completion of up to ten courses. The lists of
courses and electives for all diploma programs
are found in the 2007 Enrolment Guide. It is
possible to complete thirteen of the diploma
programs completely by distance and flexible
learning, and these diplomas are marked with
an asterisk (*) below.
You must ensure you meet the admission
criteria for the particular diploma program
you select. These are also listed in the 2007
Enrolment Guide. Generally admission to
diplomas is on the basis of an overall pass in
Form 7; or an overall pass in Form 6 plus two
years’ relevant work experience; or admission
as a mature entrant with more extensive
relevant work experience. Please seek
assistance from Student Academic Services,
an academic advisor for the relevant school,
department or faculty, or staff at your local
campus when choosing your program and
courses.
USP PROGRAMS
Diplomas in
Offered by
Accounting Studies
Banking
Computing
School of Accounting & Finance
School of Accounting & Finance
School of Computing, Information & Mathematical Sciences
* Early Childhood Education School of Education
* Economics School of Economics
* Educational Evaluation School of Education
* Educational Leadership & Change School of Education
* Environmental Education School of Geography
* Fisheries Economics & Management School of Marine Studies
Geomatics
Geospatial Science
Industrial Relations
Department of Land Management
School of Geography
School of Social Sciences
13
* Information Systems School of Computing, Information & Mathematical Sciences
Land Use Planning
Department of Land Management
* Library/Information Studies School of Education
* Management Studies School of Management & Public Administration
Ocean Resources Management & Policy
Official Statistics
Pacific Journalism
Pacific Language Studies
School of Marine Studies
School of Economics
School of Language, Arts & Media
School of Language, Arts & Media
* Police Management School of Social Sciences
Population Studies & Demography
School of Geography
* Prosecutions School of Law
Real Estate
Social & Community Work
Special & Diverse Educational Needs
Statistics
Department of Land Management
School of Social Sciences
School of Education
School of Computing, Info. & Mathematical Sciences
* Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages School of Education
Tropical Agriculture
Vernacular Language (Fijian)
Vernacular Language (Hindi)
School of Agriculture & Food Technology
School of Language, Arts & Media
School of Language, Arts & Media
* Youth in Development Work School of Social Sciences
USP PROGRAMS USP

USP PROGRAMS
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
USP offers seven bachelor’s degree
qualifications – the Bachelor of Agriculture
(BAgr), the Bachelor of Arts (BA), the Bachelor
of Commerce (BCom), the Bachelor of
Education (BEd), the Bachelor of Engineering
Technology (BETech), the Bachelor of Laws
(LLB), and the Bachelor of Science (BSc). For
the BA, the BCom and the BSc, which require
the completion of 20 courses, a wide range
of major disciplines can be selected, while for
the professional bachelor’s degrees up to 32
courses need to be passed and the programs
are largely prescribed.
Apart from the Bachelor of Education,
subjects. For the BEd, only qualified teachers
admission to bachelor’s degrees is usually on are admitted. Before you apply for admission to
the basis of passing Form 7 or completing a a particular degree program you must ensure
Foundation Certificate, and most bachelor’s you meet the admission criteria, which are
degrees require passes at that level in specific listed in the 2007 Enrolment Guide.
Bachelor’s Degrees
Offered by
Bachelor of Agriculture
School of Agriculture & Food Technology
Bachelor of Arts, majoring in:
Computing Science
School of Computing, Information & Mathematical Sciences
Education
School of Education
Expressive Arts
School of Education
14
As well as the seven degrees described
above there are some special programs. In
addition to the BA, BCom and BSc programs
where students choose their major and
minor disciplines, there are two prescribed
interdisciplinary BA programs (the BA
in Environmental Studies, and the BA in
Tourism and Hospitality), one prescribed
interdisciplinary BCom program (the BCom
in Business Studies), and three prescribed
interdisciplinary BSc programs (the BSc in
Environmental Science, the BSc in Marine
Science, and the BSc in Sports Science).
Students can also choose from five combined
programs: the BA/LLB, the BCom/LLB*, the
BA/Graduate Certificate in Education*, the
BCom/Graduate Certificate in Education and
BSc/Graduate Certificate in Education, the
latter three for those intending to become
secondary teachers.
Food & Nutritional Sciences
Geography
History
Industrial Relations
Information Systems
Journalism
Land Use Planning
Law
Linguistics
Literature
Literature & Language
Marine Affairs
Mathematics
Media Studies
Official Statistics
Pacific Language Studies
School of Biological, Chemical & Environmental Sciences
School of Geography
School of Social Sciences
School of Social Sciences
School of Computing, Information & Mathematical Sciences
School of Language, Arts & Media
Department of Land Management
School of Law
School of Language, Arts & Media
School of Language, Arts & Media
School of Language, Arts & Media
School of Marine Studies
School of Computing, Information & Mathematical Sciences
School of Language, Arts & Media
School of Economics
School of Language, Arts & Media
The lists of courses and electives for all
bachelor’s degree programs are found in the
2007 Enrolment Guide. It is not possible to
complete most bachelor’s degrees entirely
by distance and flexible learning as 300-level
courses are mainly delivered only on campus
at Alafua and Laucala. (The exception is the
Bachelor of Laws which can be completed
entirely by distance and flexible learning).
Students trying to complete most of their
program by distance and flexible learning
in the minimum time need to plan carefully
the sequence of their courses. Please seek
assistance from Student Academic Services, an
academic advisor, or staff at your campus when
choosing your courses.
Pacific Literature
Pacific Policing
Pacific Vernacular Language
Politics
Population Studies & Demography
Psychology
Real Estate
Social Studies
Social Work
Sociology
Statistics
Theatre Arts
Tourism Studies
School of Language, Arts & Media
School of Social Sciences
School of Language, Arts & Media
School of Social Sciences
School of Geography
School of Social Sciences
Department of Land Management
School of Social Sciences
School of Social Sciences
School of Social Sciences
School of Computing, Info. & Mathematical Sciences
School of Language, Arts & Media
Department of Tourism & Hospitality
* Subject to Senate approval
BA in Environmental Studies
BA in Tourism & Hospitality
Faculty of Islands & Oceans
Department of Tourism & Hospitality
USP PROGRAMS USP

Bachelor’s Degrees
Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in:
Accounting
Banking
Economics
Finance
Information Systems
Offered by
Faculty of Business & Economics
School of Accounting & Finance
School of Accounting & Finance
School of Economics
School of Accounting & Finance
School of Computing, Info. & Mathematical Sciences
Postgraduate Programs
While USP offers a very wide range of
postgraduate courses, few are able to be taken
by distance and flexible learning. If you are
interested in postgraduate study, please seek
advice from Student Academic Services, an
academic advisor, or staff at your campus.
USP PROGRAMS
Management & Public Administration
School of Management & Public Administration
Official Statistics
School of Economics
BCom in Business Studies
Faculty of Business & Economics
Bachelor of Education, majoring in:
School of Education
Early Childhood
School of Education
Primary
School of Education
Secondary
School of Education
Special Education
School of Education
Bachelor of Engineering Technology
School of Engineering & Physics
Bachelor of Laws
School of Law
Bachelor of Science, majoring in:
Faculty of Science & Technology
Biology
School of Biological, Chemical & Environmental Sciences
Chemistry
School of Biological, Chemical & Environmental Sciences
Computing Science
Earth Science
School of Computing, Information & Mathematical Sciences
School of Biological, Chemical & Environmental Sciences
15
Engineering Technology
School of Engineering & Physics
Food & Nutritional Sciences
School of Biological, Chemical & Environmental Sciences
Information Systems
School of Computing, Information & Mathematical Sciences
Mathematics
School of Computing, Information & Mathematical Sciences
Official Statistics
School of Economics
Physics
School of Engineering & Physics
Statistics
School of Computing, Info. & Mathematical Sciences
BSc in Environmental Science
School of Biological, Chemical & Environmental Sciences
BSc in Marine Science
School of Marine Studies
BSc in Sports Science
Faculty of Science & Technology
BA /LLB
Faculty of Arts & Law
BCom/LLB*
Faculties of Arts & Law and Business & Economics
BA/GCED
Faculty of Arts & Law
BCom/GCED*
Faculty of Arts & Law
BSc/GCED
Faculty of Arts & Law
* Subject to Senate approval
USP PROGRAMS USP

USP COURSES
WHAT COURSES ARE
OFFERED BY DFL IN 2007?
The information about distance and flexible
UEP002
Growing Up in a Pacific Family
MAF21
Basic Mathematics for Social
learning courses below was accurate as at 12
UEP003
Skills in Managing Your Early
Science
November 2006, but may have subsequently
Childhood Centre
PHF02
Foundation Physics A
changed. Please check with your campus for
UER001
Introduction to Gender Relations
SOF01
The Study of Society & Culture
the most up-to-date information about which
in the Community
TEF02
Introduction to Technology A
courses are offered, and when, and also what
learning tools (eg computer with a DVD-drive,
UEW001
UEW003
Working in the Community
Fieldwork in the Community
Vocational
16
access to the internet) you might require for a
particular course.
Every year a final list of courses is advertised
in the local newspapers of each USP Member
Country. You should also be able to collect
this information during registration from staff
at your local Student Academic Services or the
USP campus and access it on the USP web
site: http://www.usp.ac.fj
UEY001 Understanding Young People
Preliminary
BIP02 Preliminary Biology A
CHP02 Preliminary Chemistry A
GEP01 Preliminary Geography A: Physical
Geography
HYP01 Preliminary History: The Pacific &
World War II
HUC11
HUC12
HUC13
LAC01
LAC05
LAC08
LAC09
Intro. to Libraries, Systems &
Services
Building & Maintaining the
Collection
Organising the Collection
Introduction to Law
Law for Administrators
Criminal Liability
Policing
Semester I, 2007
LLP13
MAP11
Pre-tertiary English
Elementary Mathematics
Degree
MAP12
Preliminary Mathematics A
AF100
Intro. to Accounting & Fin. Mgt for
Special
EL001
English Language Skills
MAP13
PHP02
SOP01
Preliminary Mathematics B
Preliminary Physics A
Preliminary Cultural Anthropology
AF101
the Non-Specialist
Intro. to Accounting & Financial
Mgt Part I
Continuing and
Community Education
TEP02
in the Pacific
Preliminary Technology
AF201
AF208
AG111
Managerial Accounting
Financial Management
Agricultural Economics
CCE001
Preparatory Accounting
Foundation
AG124
Fundamentals of Soil Science
CCE002
CCE003
CCE004
CCE005
CCE006
UED001
UED002
UED003
UEH001
UEP001
Basic Biology
Basic Economics
Basic English
Basic Geography
Basic History
Introduction to Disability Issues
Applied Skills for Specific
Impairment/Disability
Skills for Working within the
Community
Introduction to Human Rights
Exploring Early Childhood
Education
AFF01
AGF01
BIF02
CHF02
ECF02
GEF02
HYF01
ISF21
LLF11
LLF21
MAF11
Basic Accounting A
Foundation Agriculture
Foundation Biology A: Evolutionary
Patterns
Foundation Chemistry A
Foundation Microeconomics
Pacific Islands Geography
Introduction to Pacific History
Computer Literacy
Communication & Study Skills
Communication & Language
Foundation Mathematics A
AG131
AG250
AG251
AG273
AG373
BI102
BI104
BI108
Soil, Water & Structures
Engineering
Methods & Materials of Teaching
Agriculture
Communications in Agricultural
Extension
Livestock Production I
Livestock Production II
Plant Biology (30-week)
Cell & Molecular Biology
(30-week)
Animal Biology (30-week)
USP COURSES USP

CH100
CH101
CH102
CS111
CS214
EC100
EC101
EC202
EC301
EC307
ED101
ED151
ED154
ED158
ED160
ED191
ED201
ED203
ED207
ED215
ED216
ED255
ED260
ED282
ED292
ED300
ED301
ED317
ED319
ED334
ED353
ED360
Chemistry: Concepts &
Compounds (30-week)
Chemical Principles (30-week)
Reactions & Principles of Organic
Chem. (30-week)
Introduction to Computing
Science
Design & Analysis of Algorithms
Introduction to Economics
Macroeconomics I
Microeconomics II
Monetary Economics
Resource & Environmental
Economics
Early Childhood Development
Human Development
Principles of Assessing Student
Performance
Introduction to Non-Formal
Education
Principles of Language Learning
Educational Decision-Making &
Problem-Solving
Curriculum in Early Childhood
Education
Early Language & Literacy
Development
Introduction to Exceptionality
Language & Mathematics II
Science & Social Studies II
Introduction to Curriculum
Development
Issues in Language Learning &
Pedagogy
Integrated Arts II
Educational Planning &
Development
Practicum
Practicum in Early Childhood
Education
Special Topic in Primary
Curriculum
Professional Issues in Primary
Education
Values in Education
Contemporary Issues in Education
in PICs
Pedagogy in Language Learning
ED361
ED391
EN102
FT124
GE102
GE201
GE300
GE303
GM101
HU101
HU103
HU205
HY101
HY204
IS100
IS121
IS221
IS222
IS323
LA110
LA111
LA201
LA203
LA205
LA207
LA300
LA302
LA305
LA310
LA313
LA326
LA337
LL114
LL122
LL141
LL142
Practicum in Language Teaching
Educational Leadership
Supervision
Engineering Graphics & Design
(30-week)
Apparel: Design & Textiles
Introduction to Human Geography
Biogeography: Plants, Animals &
the Human Envir.
Research Project in Geography
(30-week)
Geography & Development in the
Pacific
Introduction to Geomatics
Introduction to Library/Information
Studies
Organising Library/Info. Centre
Resources (30-week)
Management of the Library/
Information Centre
Pacific History 1: Prehistory & Early
Contact
Archaeology in the Pacific
Computing Fundamentals
Information Systems I
Web Applications Development
Database Management Systems
Information Systems Analysis &
Design
Law & Society
Courts & Dispute Resolution I
Law of Contract I
Torts I
Criminal Law & Procedure I
Constitutional Law
Property Law I
Equity & Trusts
Current Developments in Pacific
Law
Evidence
Commercial Law
Research Project
Medico-Legal Issues
English for Academic Purposes
Introduction to Language Studies
Introduction to the French
Language I (30-week)
Introduction to the French
Language II (30-week)
LL171
LL221
LL231
LL241
LL242
LL307
LL322
LL324
LL325
LL326
LP101
LP201
MA101
MA111
MA161
MA262
MG201
MG206
MS201
MS204
OS101
OS202
PD101
PH102
PH106
PL100
PL304
PP101
PP201
PP300
PS204
RE101
SO100
SO114
SO118
SO119
Introduction to Hindi
Language Issues in the Pacific
Creative Writing I
Intermediate French Studies I
(30-week)
Intermediate French Studies II
(30-week)
Poetry
Dictionary-Making
Selected Topics in Pacific
Languages
Syntax & Typology
Applied Phonetics & Phonology
Principles & Problems of Land
Tenure
Town & Country Planning
Mathematics for Social Sciences
Calculus I & Linear Algebra I
Discrete Mathematics I
Discrete Mathematics II
Organisational Behaviour
Marketing Principles & Strategies
Introduction to Ocean Resources
Management
Tropical Seafood
Official Statistics & National
Statistical Systems
National Accounts & Allied
Statistics II
Introduction to Population Studies
Classical Physics
Physics for Other Sciences
Introduction to Politics
Issues in Political Theory
Contemporary Issues in Pacific
Policing
Comparative & International
Policing
Action Research in a Police
Context
The Psychology of Community
Health
Real Estate Principles
Themes & Perspectives in
Sociology
Pacific Youth
Youth, Health & the Environment
Conflict Resolution Strategies &
Skills
USP COURSES
17
USP COURSES USP

USP COURSES
SO200
SO201
SO301
Modern Social Theory
Society, Culture & Change in the
Pacific
Sociology of Public Policy &
CCE004
CCE005
CCE006
CCE007
Basic English
Basic Geography
Basic History
Preparatory Maths
LLF11
LLF21
MAF12
MAF21
Communication & Study Skills
Communication & Language
Foundation Mathematics B
Basic Mathematics for Foundation
Administration
UED001
Introduction to Disability Issues
Social Science
ST101
Introduction to Statistics
UED002
Applied Skills for Specific
PHF03
Foundation Physics B
TS106
Introduction to Tourism
Impairment/ Disability
PLF01
Issues in Pacific Politics
TS207
Marketing for Tourism &
UED003
Skills for Working within the
SOF02
Foundation Sociology B: Intro. to
Hospitality
Community
Pacific Societies
TS208
Operational Issues for Hospitality
UEH001
Introduction to Human Rights
TEF03
Introduction to Technology B
TS311
Sustainable Tourism Development
UEP001
Exploring Early Childhood
Postgraduate
DG402 Pacific Thought, Philosophy &
Ethics
DG405 Research Essay in Governance
ED401 Teaching & Learning in Higher
Education
ED402 Curriculum Design & Evaluation in
Higher Education
UEP002
UEP003
UER001
UEW001
UEW003
UEY001
Education
Growing Up in a Pacific Family
Skills in Managing Your Early
Childhood Centre
Introduction to Gender Relations
in the Community
Working in the Community
Fieldwork in the Community
Understanding Young People
Vocational
HUC11 Introduction to Libraries, their
Systems & Services
HUC14 User Services - Circulation Library
Activities
HUC15 User Services - Information
Services
LAC02 Types of Law
LAC03 Legal Interpretation
ED403
ED461
Pedagogical Principles of DFL
Global Educational Instruments
Preliminary
LAC04
LAC06
Private Law
Business Law
LA400
Advanced Pacific Legal Studies
BIP03
Preliminary Biology B
LAC07
Civil Courts
18
LA409
Special Topic: Advanced Conflicts
CHP03
Preliminary Chemistry B
LAC10
Criminal Courts
of Law
GEP02
Preliminary Geography B: Human
Geography
Degree
Semester II, 2007
The information about distance and flexible
learning courses below was accurate as at 12
November 2006, but is highly likely to have
changed for Semester II, 2007. Please check
with your campus for the most up-to-date
information about which courses are offered
and also what learning tools (eg computer with
LLP13
MAP11
MAP12
MAP13
PHP03
PLP01
SOP01
TEP02
Pre-tertiary English
Elementary Mathematics
Preliminary Mathematics A
Preliminary Mathematics B
Preliminary Physics B
Preliminary Politics: New Forces in
the Pacific
Preliminary Cultural Anthropology
in the Pacific
Preliminary Technology
AF102
AF108
AG112
AG113
AG164
AG172
AG212
Intro. to Accounting & Fin. Mgt
Part II
Introduction to Law for Commerce
Agricultural Systems in Pacific
Island Economies
Applied Statistics for Agriculture &
Biology
Introductory Agricultural Biology
Animal Nutrition
Farm Management Principles
a DVD-drive, access to the internet) you might
require for a particular course.
Special
EL001 English Language Skills
Continuing and Community
Education
CCE001 Preparatory Accounting
CCE002 Basic Biology
CCE003 Basic Economics
Foundation
AFF02 Basic Accounting B
BIF03 Foundation Biology B - The
Maintenance of Life
CHF03 Foundation Chemistry B
CSF12 Foundation Computer Science
ECF03 Foundation Macroeconomics
GEF01 Human Ecology: The Relations of
People with their Envir.
ISF21 Computer Literacy
AG221
AG263
AG350
AG363
CS102
CS112
CS211
EC102
EC103
EC201
Soil Fertility & Plant Nutrition
Crop Production I
Teaching Agricultural Science
Pest & Disease Management
Computing for Science &
Technology
Data Structures & Algorithms
Computer Organisation
Microeconomics I
Social, Economic & Business
Survey Methods
Macroeconomics II
USP COURSES USP

EC203
EC302
EC304
EC307
EC311
ED102
ED103
ED153
ED192
ED202
ED204
ED205
ED208
ED217
ED252
ED253
ED254
ED258
ED284
ED291
ED300
ED301
ED316
ED318
ED352
ED354
ED355
ED359
ED361
ED391
ED392
EN106
ES106
FT113
FT213
Economic Statistics
Public Finance
Economic Growth & Development
Resource & Environmental
Economics
Labour Economics
The Child in the South Pacific
Understanding & Managing
Young Children’s Behaviour
School & Society
Educational Project Planning
Leadership in Early Childhood
Education
Social Competence & Emotional
Health
Maths, Science & the Environment
in ECEd.
Study of Exceptional Individuals I
Literacy Processes
Ed. Psychology & the Teaching-
Learning Process
Theories & Ideas in Education
Evaluation in Schools
Adult Learning
Physical Education & Leisure
Education II
School Organisation &
Management
Practicum
Practicum in Early Childhood
Education
Science & Social Studies III
Language & Mathematics III
Education in Small Island States
Assessing & Measuring Student
Performance
Curriculum Development
Educational Research
Practicum in Language Teaching
Educational leadership Supervision
Issues in Educational Admin. in
the South Pacific
Engineering Materials &
Mechanics
Earth Science
Food, Society & Development
Nutrient Requirements &
Metabolism
GE101 Introduction to Physical
Geography
GE202 Agriculture, Food & Nutrition in
the Dev. World
GE205 The Physical Environment: Land,
Water & Climate
GE304 Resource Conservation &
Management
GM102 Geomatics I
GM103 Survey Computations I
HU102 Building the Library/Information
Centre Collection
HU104 Library/Information Centre
Services
HU210 The Information Environment
Today
HY102 Contemporary World History: 1750
to the Present
HY202 Pre-colonial Power Struggles in
Western Polynesia
HY306 Special Topic: Heritage
Management & Conservation
IS122 Information Systems II
IS222 Database Management Systems
IS224 Advanced Database Systems
IS332 Advanced Web Applications
Development & Network
IS333 Project Management
JN101 Introduction to Journalism I
JN103 Media Law & Ethics
LA112 Legislation
LA113 Courts & Dispute Resolution II
LA202 Law of Contract II
LA204 Torts II
LA206 Criminal Law & Procedure II
LA208 Administrative Law
LA301 Property Law II
LA303 Succession
LA304 Legal Drafting
LA307 Pacific Land Tenure
LA317 Labour Law
LA322 Customary Law
LA326 Research Project
LA330 Regional Environmental Law
LA334 Legal Ethics
LA339 Sport & the Law
LL102 Pacific Literature in English
LL108 Introduction to Children’s
Literature
LL114 English for Academic Purposes
LL122 Introduction to Language Studies
LL124 The Analysis of Language
LL161 Fijian Language Studies I -
Vakadidike Vosavakaviti I
LL172 Introduction to Hindi Literature
LL204 Prose Fiction
LL222 The Languages of the Pacific
LL223 Translation
LL323 Comparative Linguistics
LL324 Selected Topics in Pacific
Languages
LL326 Applied Phonetics & Phonology
MA101 Mathematics for Social Sciences
MA102 Mathematics for Science
MA112 Calculus II
MA161 Discrete Mathematics I
MA221 Linear Algebra II
MA262 Discrete Mathematics II
MG101 Introduction to Management
MG105 Introduction to Industrial Relations
MG202 Operations Management
MG204 Management of Industrial
Relations
MG316 Comparative Employment &
Industrial Relations
MS111 Introduction to Marine Science for
Pacific Islands
MS203 Fisheries Economics &
Management
MS204 Tropical Seafood
MS213 Physical Oceanography
MS301 Ocean Resources Management in
the South Pacific
OS101 Official Statistics & National
Statistical Systems
OS102 National Accounts & Allied
Statistics II
PD200 Introduction to Analytical
Demogrpahy
PH101 Quantum & Electrical Physics
PL202 Political Ideologies
PP101 Contemporary Issues in Pacific
Policing
PP202 Police & Society in the Pacific
PP301 Police Leadership & Command
Management
PP302 Ethical Dimensions in Policing
USP COURSES
19
USP COURSES USP

USP COURSES
PS101
PS151
PS206
PS208
SO102
SO110
SO116
SO119
SO121
SO204
SO205
Introduction to Psychology
Human Development
Social Psychology
Study of Exceptional Individuals I
Sociological Theory & Methods
Introduction to Industrial Law
Procedures & Practice
Learning Processes
Conflict Resolution Strategies &
Skills
Promoting Enterprise & Economic
Development
Sociology of Crime & Deviance
Sociology of Resources
Management & Development
SO207
SO211
SO212
SO303
ST130
TS107
TS108
TS213
TS216
TS302
TS310
Systems
The Sociology of the Family
Project Planning, Monitoring &
Evaluation
Management & Planning Skills
Advanced Sociological Theory
Basic Statistics
Tourism in the South Pacific
Dimensions of Hospitality
International Tourism
Integrated Industry Learning for
Tourism & Hosp.
Strategic Services Management in
Hospitality
Tourism in Less Developed
Postgraduate
CM400 Research Methods
DG405 Research Essay in Governance
ED401 Teaching & Learning in Higher
Education
ED402 Curriculum Design & Evaluation in
Higher Education
ED403 Pedagogical Principles of DFL
IS432 IT Project
LA425 Law of the Sea
PP402 Organisational Communication &
the Media
PP403 Performance Management &
Accountability
SO206
Comparative Industrial Law
Countries
20
USP COURSES USP

HOW DO I ENROL?
HOW DO I ENROL?
How do I apply to study at USP?
To apply for entry into any of the USP programs
available through Distance and Flexible Learning,
you need to collect a copy of the 2007 Enrolment
Guide. The guide provides all the information
you need to enrol in a USP program and course,
including the relevant forms and instructions
for using the three registration options. It also
provides admission and program regulations,
along with detailed program structures and
courses prescriptions. You can collect or request
a copy of the 2007 Enrolment Guide from your
local USP campus, or from Student Academic
Services offices on the major campuses.
Contact details are provided on pages 41-42 of
this publication.
Using the 2007 Enrolment Guide, you will need
to complete an ‘Application for Admission’ form
and, along with the necessary documents,
submit it to your USP campus. All students
studying via Distance and Flexible Learning are
required to register for their USP programs as
well as the courses they will undertake. All new
students are, therefore, required to submit a
completed ‘Application for Admission’ form to
their nearest USP campus.
You can also find an ‘Application for Admission’
form at your USP campus or on the USP
website: http://www.usp.ac.fj.
Before you submit your ‘Application for
Admission’ form, please check that:
• the program and course(s) you are
applying for are actually being offered
through Distance and Flexible Learning
• you meet the admissions criteria and
course prerequisites
• your qualifications (formal and non-formal)
and work experience are clearly stated
• you have clearly indicated your correct or
updated postal and telephone contact
details so that you can be advised promptly
of information relating to your enrolment,
and
• you have included all the certified
documentary evidence required to support
your application.
21
HOW DO I ENROL? USP

HOW DO I ENROL?
Once your local USP campus receives and
processes your application, you will be informed
in writing if your application is successful or has
been declined. Successful applicants will be
advised of the appropriate registration option to
follow (outlined below).
an opportunity to discuss your program or
courses more thoroughly with the appropriate
staff at your USP campus. It is essential that you
bring all the required documents, fees, or any
other items requested by the USP campus to
complete your enrolment fully.
room for EL001. Check at your local campus for
further information.
If you do not sit the ELSA Test or pass EL001,
if you score 1 or 2 in ELSA, you will not be
allowed to register for 200 or 300 level courses.
If you have done courses at USP before, either
Online registration
22
complete a Registration form if you were enrolled
last semester, or a ‘Request for Resumption of
Studies’ form if you were not.
What are my registration options?
The 2007 Enrolment Guide provides instructions
for using the three registration options described
below. All new, resuming and continuing
students should use the 2007 Enrolment Guide
to complete the enrolment process.
Postal registration
Once the USP campus approves your application
via post, you will be advised in writing of the:
• USP program and DFL course(s) for which
you have been accepted; and
• fees you will need to pay; and
Students admitted to programs at Laucala
Campus can register for USP courses through
online registration. You will need an Internet
connection and access to the appropriate
Internet software. A step-by-step guide for
applying and registering online is provided in
the 2007 Enrolment Guide.
What is the Compulsory
ELSA Test?
Purpose
The purpose of the English Language Skills
Assessment (ELSA) Test is to find out if students
have the English language skills needed for
successful university study. The test must be
taken by all students registering for 100-, 200-
or 300-level courses
• including students taking courses by
Distance and Flexible Learning; and
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT:
Enrolment
1. How do I find out what courses are
offered by distance and flexible learning
at USP?
There are several ways you can find this
information. The DFL courses to be offered
during 2007 are listed on pages16 of this guide.
However, because the offering of many DFL
courses is based on student demand, this list is
subject to change. Before each semester a final
list of courses may be advertised in your local
newspapers or on your local radio or television
station. You should also be able to collect this
information during the registration period from
your local USP campus or Student Academic
Services on one the three major campuses,
Alafua, Emalus, or Laucala. You can also access
it on the USP website: http://www.usp.ac.fj
• method of payment of fees; and
• arrangements made for the delivery of your
course materials and textbook (if you
choose to purchase the course
textbook(s)).
Note: If you do not take up your offer of postal
registration by the recommended date, your
place in the course may be offered to other
applicants.
Face-to-face registration
Face-to-face registration requires you to be
physically present at your USP campus to register.
It is important to come to the USP campus on the
day or at the time scheduled for your program or
course, to avoid any inconvenience to yourself
or other enrolling students. Your campus may
notify you of the dates and venues for face-toface
registration through your local newspaper.
Face-to-face registration will provide you with
• including students who are awarded cross-
credits for 100-, 200- and/or 300- level
studies from other tertiary institutions.
Timing of the ELSA Test
The ELSA Test is held at all USP campuses about
four times each year, on dates publicised in the
local media. You should take the test as soon
as possible so you can get your results before
the semester begins. If you are a current student
you can check your ELSA results on Student
Online Services about two weeks after you have
sat the test. Otherwise, check the notice-boards
at your campus.
If you score an overall total of 1 or 2 in the
ELSA Test you must register for the course
EL001, English Language Skills. You may not
take EL001 in addition to a full course load.
Therefore, in the semester in which you are
registered for EL001 you will need to drop one
of the courses in your program of study to make
2. I want to register for a USP course. What
do I need to do?
Firstly, you have to fill out an ‘Application for
Admission’ form and send it to your USP
campus before the closing date of applications
(refer to the Principal Dates on page 4 of this
handbook). An application form is provided in
the 2007 Enrolment Guide, and is also available
from your local USP campus, or Student
Academic Services on one of the three major
campuses, Alafua, Emalus or Laucala, or the
USP web site: http://www.usp.ac.fj. Once you
have been offered a place in a program you can
then register for a course.
3. Do I need to register by a certain date?
Yes. To avoid paying an added late registration
fee of FJ$60 (or the equivalent in your local
currency) you should register before 10
February for Semester I courses and before 14
July for Semester II courses.
HOW DO I ENROL? USP

4. How do I cancel or change my choice of
course(s) once I am registered?
To do this you need to contact your local USP
campus or Student Academic Services on one
of the three major campuses, Alafua, Emalus
or Laucala, either in person or in writing, within
the first week of the semester (see pages 41-43
for contact details). Their staff will advise you of
what to do next.
on the application form and send it to your local
USP campus or Student Academic Services
on one of the three major campuses, Alafua,
Emalus or Laucala, (see pages 41-43 for contact
details). The ‘Application for Cross Credit’ form is
available from your local USP campus, Student
Academic Services on one of the three major
campuses, Alafua, Emalus or Laucala, and the
USP website: http://www.usp.ac.fj.
Learning course based on your performance
during both the continuous assessment and the
examination. To continue studying, it is important
that you achieve a pass grade in all your
courses. The University may prevent you from
registering for a particular course or continuing
your program of study if your grades are not
satisfactory, or if your grades demonstrate that
you are not competent in the discipline you are
pursuing.
HOW DO I ENROL?
5. Can I transfer my registration to another
course in another semester?
No, you cannot. If you decide to withdraw from
a Distance and Flexible Learning course in one
semester, you have to fill in a fresh application to
register for a course in another semester.
6. If I fail a USP course, can I register for
another?
Yes, as long as you meet the prerequisite
requirements for that new course. You can also
re-register for the same course up to three
times. However, students who have failed a predegree
course or 100-level course (with the
exception of 100-level accounting courses) on
three occasions will not normally be permitted to
re-register; students who have failed a 200-level
or a 300-level course, or a 100-level accounting
course, on two occasions will not normally be
permitted to re-register.
7. What do I need to do if I want to
withdraw from a course?
You can complete a ‘Request for Course
Withdrawal’ form or submit a letter of withdrawal
to your local USP campus or Student Academic
Services on one of the three major campuses,
Alafua, Emalus or Laucala. Find out from USP
staff, or refer to the Principal Dates provided on
page xxx of this handbook, for the final date for
withdrawal with or without remission of tuition
fees for each semester. The ‘Request for Course
Withdrawal’ form is available from your local
USP campus, Student Academic Services on
the three major campuses, Alafua, Emalus or
Laucala, or the USP website: http://www.usp.
ac.fj.
8. How do I apply for cross-credits?
There is a special form for applying for Cross
Credits, or you can write a letter requesting a
cross credit. In both cases you must attach
copies of all the required documents indicated
9. Once I have completed my program
of study, do I have to apply to graduate?
Yes. For this, there is a form, the ‘Application
for Completion of Program’ form, which you
can request in writing, or obtain from your local
Student Academic Services or USP campus,
or the USP website: http://www.usp.ac.fj. You
can also apply to register online through your
Student Online Services (SOLS).
10. How can I obtain my academic transcript
from USP?
You will need to make a written request at
your USP campus or complete a ‘Request for
Academic Transcript’ form. The first copy is free.
There is a fee of FJ$11 for each additional copy.
What regulations should I be
aware of?
You need to remember that as a USP student
there are certain regulations you need to follow.
These regulations are in no way meant to
discourage your learning, but rather to ensure
you perform to the best of your ability and show
you have learnt the content of your course. It
is important that once you have decided on
the area of study you want to pursue, you are
committed to achieving the best grades that you
can possibly gain. The grades you attain as a
USP graduate will work to your advantage once
you start applying for employment, because
those applicants whose grades most accurately
reflect their skills will most likely be given
greater consideration for the position over those
applicants whose grades do not. Listed below
are brief descriptions of other regulations set by
the University, and how they apply to you as a
USP Distance and Flexible Learning student.
Unsatisfactory Progress Regulations
At the end of each semester you will be awarded
a letter grade for your Distance and Flexible
Further details regarding USP’s Grade Point
Average (GPA) system are provided in the
2007 Calendar. Although the regulations for
unsatisfactory progress are not currently applied
to Distance and Flexible Learning students,
it is important to maintain a good grade point
average. The unsatisfactory progress regulations
are automatically applied to students doing
face-to-face study at any of the three major USP
campuses, who have completed at least six
degree-level courses, including those previously
taken through Distance and Flexible Learning.
Withdrawal from course(s)
After you have enrolled, you may find that you
are prevented from completing a course for
some reason. You need to inform your USP
campus, either in writing or by completing the
‘Request for Course Withdrawal’ form in order to
cancel your registration for a specific Distance
and Flexible Learning course. A ‘Request for
Course Withdrawal’ form is available from your
USP campus and on the USP website: http://
www.usp.ac.fj. If you do not register your
withdrawal with your USP campus before 20
April in Semester I, or before 21 September in
Semester II, you will be automatically awarded
a ‘Fail’ grade - something you should always
avoid.
If you are enrolled in a 15-week DFL course
and your withdrawal is registered by 31 March
in Semester I or by 31 August in Semester II,
or are enrolled in a 30-week course and your
withdrawal is registered by 4 May, and have
paid your fees in full, your tuition fee may be fully
refunded. Please note, however, that students
taking DFL courses at Laucala, Alafua and
Emalus Campuses follow a different schedule of
withdrawal deadlines – see the Principal Dates
section on page 4. Withdrawal by 21 April in
Semester I or by 22 September in Semester II
for 15 week courses, or by 3 July for 30-week
courses allows you to have your registration
23
HOW DO I ENROL? USP

HOW DO I ENROL?
24
cancelled without being assessed, but you will
not be eligible for a refund. It is crucial that you
officially withdraw once you realise that you
cannot complete a course. Do not accumulate
fail grades.
Cross credits
You may apply for cross credits if you have
obtained a certificate, diploma or degree from
USP or another tertiary institution which may
be related or relevant to your intended USP
program of study. Application forms to cross
credit are available from your USP campus and
from the USP website: http://www.usp.ac.fj. Your
application to cross credit should be submitted
to your local USP campus with certified copies
of your academic records and the other relevant
documents requested on the application form.
You should seek the guidance of your academic
advisor to register for course(s) other than the
possible cross credits while you await a decision
on your cross credit application.
Appeal against cross credit decision
If you wish to appeal against the University’s
rejection of your cross credit application, do so
in writing within the semester you are notified
of the decision. You will have to pay a fee for
this appeal (refer to the Fees section of the 2007
Enrolment Guide or the 2007 Calendar). Be
aware that appealing does not necessarily result
in a cross credit award.
Change of program
The USP program of study you select when you
first enrol should be thought out very carefully
and in consultation with the appropriate
academic advisor or USP campus staff member.
If it is necessary to change your program of
study, preferably in the early stages of your
studies, you need to complete and submit a
‘Program/Major/Course Change’ form to your
USP campus.
You will usually be advised by USP staff to
complete the USP program of study you are
currently enrolled in before progressing to a
higher level. For example, a student should
complete the Diploma in Accounting Studies
before progressing to the Bachelor of Commerce
(BCom) degree majoring in Accounting.
Approval to change a USP program of study
usually depends on your previous performance
or grades in courses related to the new choice
of program and its relevance to your work or
planned career.
Reconsideration of grade
If you are not satisfied with the grade you receive
at the end of your course and have strong and
valid reasons for deserving a higher grade, you
may submit an application for reconsideration.
Application forms are available at your USP
campus and on the USP website: http://
www.usp.ac.fj. The form should be submitted
within eight weeks of the results notification
being issued to you. A fee is charged for the
reconsideration of your grade (refer to the Fees
section of the 2007 Enrolment Guide or the
2007 Calendar).
Other USP regulations
There are a range of other regulations that you
may need to be aware of during your time with
USP. These may include:
• Plagiarism and Dishonest Practice
• Aegrotat, Compassionate or Restricted
Pass
• Special Examination
For full details on the following regulations,
please refer to the ‘Regulations’ section of the
2007 Calendar.
HOW DO I ENROL? USP

HOW DO I ENROL?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT:
Fees
25
1. How do I find out the fees for a Distance
and Flexible Learning course?
A comprehensive list of the fees for 2007 is listed
in the 2007 Enrolment Guide, with an abbreviated
version provided in the 2007 Calendar. Fees
information is also available on the USP web
site: http://www.usp.ac.fj and will be advertised
in your local newspaper in December 2006. As
well as your tuition fees, there is a range of other
fees you may need to pay in order to study at
USP. The staff at your USP campus can assist
you in calculating your total fees.
2. Do I need to pay my fees by a certain
date?
Yes. If you are registered for a 15-week course
you should pay your Semester I fees by 31 March
and your Semester II fees by 31 August. After
these dates, a late payment charge of FJ$120
(or the equivalent in your local currency) will be
added to your fees debt and services such as
those provided in the computer laboratories and
the library may not be available to you until the
total amount, inclusive of the late payment fee,
has been paid.
Even if you withdraw from the course, you will
need to pay the total amount, inclusive of the
late payment fee, before you can register for
another course at USP.
3. Do I pay a fee to change or withdraw
from a Distance and Flexible Learning
course?
No. But, if you are registered for a 15-week
course and withdraw before 31 March in
Semester I or before 31 August in Semester
II, or are registered for a 30-week course and
withdraw before 4 May and have paid your fees
in full, you will be refunded the tuition portion
of your fees. Please note, however, if you are
taking DFL courses at Laucala, Alafua, or Emalus
Campuses you follow a different schedule of
withdrawal deadlines – see the Principal Dates
section on page 4.
If you withdraw after these dates, but before 21
April in Semester I or before 22 September in
Semester II for 15 week courses, or before 3
July for 30-week courses, you will not be eligible
for a refund, but you will also not be assessed
for the course. If you withdraw from a course
after these second dates you will incur a ‘Fail’
grade for the course.
HOW DO I ENROL? USP

STUDYING BY DFL
HOW DO I
STUDY BY DFL?
26
When will I get my course
materials?
Once you have registered for your Distance
and Flexible Learning course and paid your
fees, you should expect to receive your course
materials package from your USP campus
one week before your semester starts (refer
to the Principal Dates provided on page xxx
of this handbook). If you do not receive your
course materials by this time, contact your USP
campus urgently.
Please be mindful that all course materials for
Distance and Flexible Learning courses are
sent from Laucala Campus in Fiji, and there
may be delays in the delivery due to external
shipping, flight and postal schedules.
What will be in my course materials
package?
The contents of your course materials package
will depend upon both the DFL course you
are taking and the way in which the course
is offered. Listed below are the main types
of components that may be provided in the
course package included in your fees payment.
• An Introduction and Assignments Booklet
or Course Introduction Guide — outlines
the course content, audio tutorial
schedule, study schedule, assignments,
samples of past test and exam papers
and any other information relevant
to your course. All DFL courses, except
for Internet Law courses, should have a
printed Introduction and Assignments
Booklet or Course Introduction.
• Course Book(s) or Study Guide — contains
the reading materials you will need to read
and revise as part of the course content.
Revision activities are also included in
the Course Book to test how much you
have understood from the reading(s).
• Reader — a collection of written materials
from journals, books, periodicals,
newspapers and articles from the Internet
relevant to the course.
• Audio tapes/discs — provided for courses
where you need to listen to sound and
speech patterns. For example, some
Literature and Language courses
will help you become familiar with
phonetic pronunciation through audio
materials. Other courses may provide
lecture resources in audio format.
• Video tapes/CD’S, DVD’S — containing
multimedia materials. Provided
for courses where visual enhancements are
especially useful, and offering lecture
resources in some cases.
In addition –
You may be asked to purchase separately:
• Textbook(s) — books prescribed by the
course lecturer that adequately describe or
cover the topics in the course.
You may also be asked to obtain:
• Supplementary readings or resource
materials — readings that are not
required but which would enrich your
understanding of the course - from your
local campus or USP main library.
• Online resources – from the Internet, which
you may access from your local campus.
• Other materials as specified in your course
eg for practical experiments, investigations
or fieldwork.
If you are in doubt about any information that
is given in any component of your course
materials package, please contact staff at
your local Student Academic Services or the
USP campus (see pages 41-42 for contact
information).
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT:
Course Materials
1. How do I get my Distance and Flexible
Learning course materials?
Your USP Distance and Flexible Learning
course materials will be dispatched to your
local campus from Laucala Campus in Fiji. Your
local USP campus will post the course package
to the address you supplied at the time of
enrolment. If you do not receive it one week
before the semester starts, check with your
local USP campus on whether the materials
have been posted. Please remember you can
only expect your course materials if you have
paid your fees.
2. How long does it take to receive my
Distance and Flexible Learning course
materials?
The time varies depending on your location. If
you are in Fiji, you should receive your course
materials within two weeks of postage by your
local campus. For USP students outside Fiji
it will take longer, depending on the mail and
flight services from Fiji.
3. What if I already have copies of the
Distance and Flexible Learning course
materials from previous years?
STUDYING BY DFL USP

STUDYING BY DFL
The course materials are revised regularly so
the copies you have may not be current or
valid. You should check with your USP campus
whether the textbook or course book that you
have is valid. When you pay your fees they
include the material costs as well, so even if
you have copies you still have to pay for your
course materials.
4. What do I do if I find the compulsory
textbook required for my Distance and
Flexible Learning course is too
expensive to purchase?
Copies of required textbooks will be available
at your USP campus library, so check with the
USP campus librarian whether you can borrow
the textbook. There might also be other DFL
students in your area that may have completed
the same course and could lend you their copy
of the textbook.
5. What if I have changed my address since
enrolling?
If you have changed your address or are
planning to change it, inform your local USP
campus immediately, either in person or in
writing. You should also check with your USP
campus whether they have your correct mailing
address.
What services and learning
resources are available at the
campus?
Each USP campus provides resources to
support your Distance and Flexible Learning.
The responsibility is on you to utilise these
facilities fully and ask USP staff for support
whenever you need it. These teaching and
learning resources, and how they can be
accessed, are listed below:
Tutorials
There are two main types of tutorials: local
tutorials and ‘satellite’ audio teleconferencing
tutorials. Local tutorials are held face-toface
at your USP campus by a local tutor.
Satellite tutorials are conducted from one of
the three major campuses in Fiji, Samoa or
Vanuatu, and you may attend in real time at the
teleconferencing studio at your local campus.
These tutorials are scheduled sessions that
allow you to discuss, question, comment on
and debate issues related to the course. It
is important that you attend and participate
in all possible tutorial sessions as they allow
you to raise questions and let your course
lecturer assess your understanding of the
course material. The Distance and Flexible
Learning Support Centre (DFLSC) at the
Laucala Campus in Fiji will record the ‘satellite’
sessions and your local USP campus will make
these available online and/or on tape/disc. If
you missed out on a particular tutorial, you can
either listen to the recorded session at your
campus or alternatively purchase a copy and
listen at your convenience.
Computer, e-mail and Internet
facilities
Your USP campus has a computer laboratory
available for your use and some computers
will have access to the Internet. You are
encouraged to explore the ‘world wide web’ of
information available on the Internet to research
information related to your course.
As a Distance and Flexible Learning student,
you will be given a USP e-mail account when
you enrol to allow you to communicate with
your lecturer, tutor and classmates located on
the USP campuses throughout the region.
27
STUDYING BY DFL USP

STUDYING BY DFL
The USPNet Operator at your local USP
campus will familiarise you with the available
technology resources. Your USP campus
may also offer orientation sessions or special
Continuing Education training on how to use
these facilities. Enquire at your USP campus
to discuss coursework or find solutions to
problems relating to assignments, tests,
concepts and even study pressures. Where
local tutors may not be easily accessible, many
of you may be able to gain support and have
an opportunity to mentor each other to the
selected items from the Pacific Collection and
public domain materials issued by regional
governments. USP examination papers from
previous years are also available in full-text
online through the USP website at http://www.
usp.ac.fj
about the availability of these training sessions.
successful completion of your courses and
As well as e-mail and the Internet, the
computers at your USP campus will also
provide you with access to online resources
and online learning management systems
including WebCT, EDISON and MOODLE.
programs of study. You can make a request to
USP campus staff to organise initial contact
with other students and provide study areas
or any other technology resources that can
facilitate ‘peer tutorial’ sessions such as online
discussion boards and chatrooms.
CELT Learning Support Programs
The Centre for Excellence in Learning and
Teaching (CELT) provides learning support
for all USP students, including Distance and
Flexible Learning students, in the following
areas:
28
Class Share
Class Share is an electronic notice board,
usually operational by Week One of the
semester. It is used to provide you with
updated information and notices on academic
matters related to your course, including model
answers for your assignments. You should
check Class Share at least once a week to
ensure you read all notices pertaining to your
course on a timely basis. To access Class Share
you will need a valid USP e-mail address. If you
require assistance in accessing and using Class
Share, contact the staff at your USP campus.
Contact the USPNet Operator at your local
USP campus if you have any further questions
about computer and Internet access.
Lecturers and tutors
Where there are sufficient enrolment numbers,
a local USP campus may provide lecturers on a
full-time basis to conduct face-to-face lectures
and tutorials in the areas of their expertise and
to provide academic support to students. USP
campuses may also recruit suitably qualified
local tutors for courses that require regular
tutorial and assessment sessions. At these
tutorials, you are encouraged to:
• ask questions on topics that you find
difficult or do not understand;
• start discussions on any new idea in
relation to the course content;
• seek assistance on any aspect of your
course you find difficult to cope with
• academic, learning and study skills
(e.g. critical thinking, problem-solving and
time management);
• English language skills; and
• numeracy and Maths skills.
CELT training programs are sometimes offered
directly to DFL students via USPNet facilities
and services at your USP campus. CELT
Language and Study Skills support notes on
a range of topics such as essay writing, notetaking
and answering assignment questions
are available at your USP campus on request.
If you are interested in these training programs
and resource materials, contact the staff at
your USP campus (see pages 41 for contact
details).
USP website: http://www.usp.ac.fj
The USP website can be accessed from the
computer labs at your USP campus or from
any computer that has an Internet connection.
The University’s intranet service makes
available a wide range of information regarding
the different sections and functions of the
university. The USP website also provides you
with links to help you complete your courses
successfully using the following features:
• e-mail;
• Student Online Services;
• program requirements;
• past examination papers; and
• web news.
or assessment that you have failed; and,
• share any general information or tips that
will be useful for the tutorial group.
Library services
The libraries at each USP campus differ in size
but offer the same basic service in providing
students with a quiet study space. Each year,
these libraries are equipped with textbooks,
reference materials, publications and other
supplementary readings required for courses
taken through distance and flexible learning.
CD-ROMs, DVDs, videotapes, audio tapes and
other prescribed resource materials are made
available to Distance and Flexible Learning
students at each USP campus library.
USP students are occasionally asked to
participate in CELT’s research activities at the
USP campuses. The information you provide
allows the University to continue improve
the special support and services required by
Distance and Flexible Learning students. These
are also potential opportunities for CELT staff
to provide face-to-face academic counselling
and training to both staff and students at USP
campuses.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT:
Study Support
Study groups
As you begin to study by Distance and
Flexible Learning, you may experience feelings
of isolation. To combat this, you may find it
extremely useful to get in contact with other
students doing the same course or program
Within each USP campus library, DFL students
can access the Internet for research and
online databases subscribed to by the main
USP library located on the Laucala Campus
in Fiji. At present, a range of documents and
academic materials held by the USP library
is in the process of being digitised, including
1. How do I know if my Distance and
Flexible Learning course has a tutor or
tutorials?
The Introduction and Assignments Booklet
you will receive with your course materials
will provide information on local and satellite
tutorials. Your USP campus will advise you who
STUDYING BY DFL USP

the local tutor is and the times for your local
tutorials. USP distance and flexible learning
students in Suva, Fiji should check the times
and venues for their tutorials with Student
Academic Services on Laucala Campus.
2. Can I e-mail or write to my tutor or
course co-ordinator?
Yes. Your course co-ordinator’s address
and phone contact is usually given in the
Introduction and Assignments Booklet. You can
also get these contact details from staff at your
local Student Academic Services or the USP
campus.
3. What do I do if my Distance and Flexible
Learning course has a ‘satellite’ tutorial?
You should plan to arrive at your local USP
campus a few minutes before the tutorial
begins. You also need to prepare beforehand
so that you can participate in the discussions
during the tutorial.
4. I live far away from my local USP campus
and cannot attend ‘satellite’ tutorials.
What are my options?
All satellite tutorials are recorded and made
available at your local USP campus either
online, or on disc or tape. You can either listen
to the tutorial at the computer lab or buy the
disc/tape to take away and listen in your own
time.
5. I arrive at the tutorial venue but there is
no tutor. What do I do?
Usually your local USP campus will put up a
notice if a tutorial is to be cancelled. If there
are phone services available, it would be best
to call your local USP campus and check if a
tutorial is to happen. However, if you do arrive
at the USP campus and there is no tutor, you
should ask the USP campus staff the reasons
for the tutor’s absence and what alternative
arrangements have been made.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT:
Online Learning
1. Where can I learn how to use the online
learning management system being used
in my course?
The USPNet operator at your local USP
campus will run training sessions at the start
of each semester. To take full advantage of
this interactive medium, you should attend
one of the session dates and times. If you are
unable to attend, ask your USPNet operator to
schedule another session for you.
2. What are online discussion boards for?
Online discussion boards allow you to
communicate with your lecturer/tutor and
fellow students. You will be able to read
other students’ views, interpretations and
understandings about different issues that
are raised in class. You can respond to these
and contribute your own ideas. Through this
sharing ideas and experiences, you can work
towards a deeper and more satisfying level of
learning.
3. How often do I need to log into my online
learning management system (LMS)?
This depends on how your lecturer is using
the LMS, but usually we recommend you log
in at least once week, so you can keep up to
date with the information your lecturer wants to
communicate to you.
4. What if I can’t get access to a computer?
You’ll need to liaise with your local USP campus
regarding suitable times for gaining access to a
computer and the LMS. As part of your course,
you should have at least three hours access per
week at your USP campus.
5. If I am having problems logging in or
using online learning, what should I do?
Your USPNet operator is there to help you
with audio or video tutorial schedules, lecture
re-broadcasts, problems with transmission or
online training or technical problems. You can
contact your USPNet operator through your
local USP campus. There is also online help for
online learning. You will find this in each of the
learning management systems.
TIPS on using the
audio conferencing facilities
Using the audio conferencing facilities may
seem a bit overwhelming at first but these fears
will disappear with time and with confidence.
Here are some suggestions for getting the most
out of these audio conference sessions:
1. Make sure you double check the date and
time of your audio conference sessions.
Due to unforeseen circumstances,
sometimes session dates and
times are changed at the last minute.
Also check that the time you are given
is your ‘local’ time. Because the USP
campuses are spread across five
times zones, a session that will be
broadcast on a certain date and time
in Fiji may not be at the same date
and time in your country. Use the table
on the following page as a quick reference.
2. Introduce yourself to everyone
participating. Before your audio conference
session begins your tutorial group will
be advised as to who all the participants
are at each of the campuses.
As each participant is introduced, try to
note down names of your colleagues and
which campuses they are listening in from.
3. When it’s your turn to speak, try to talk
slowly and pronounce your words clearly
so that your colleagues in the other
campuses can understand what you
are saying. At all times, be courteous and
try to maintain a polite tone of voice.
4. Press the ‘speak button’ and maintain a six
inch (15 centimetre) distance between
your mouth and the microphone when you
want to address your tutorial group.
5. Try to direct your question or comment
directly to the person who you wish
to hear from, by naming them
first. If you direct a question in general to
’campus colleagues’, the other students
may unknowingly wait for each other
to speak first which can lead to an
uncomfortable silence.
STUDYING BY DFL
29
STUDYING BY DFL USP

STUDYING BY DFL
6. Try not to ‘steal the show’. Remember that
each of you will have important points
to add to the discussions and that
everyone should have a chance to
participate.
Niue, Samoa, Tokelau
Cook Islands
Solomon Islands
and Vanuatu
Kiribati, Marshall Islands,
Nauru, Tuvalu
Tonga
23 hours behind Fiji
22 hours behind Fiji
1 hour behind Fiji
Same time and day
as Fiji
1 hour ahead of Fiji
only have to come to class and interact!
Here are some suggestions for
getting the most out of your video
conference sessions:
• Make sure you double check the date and
time of your video conference sessions.
Due to unforeseen circumstances,
sometimes session dates and times are
changed at the last minute. Also remember
to check that the time you are given is your
‘local’ time (a conversion table is provided
on this page.
sentence or question. At all times, try to be
courteous and polite.
• Try not to ‘steal the show’. Remember that
each of you will have important points to
add to the discussions and that everyone
should have a chance to participate.
What do I need to do to study
effectively?
Just like any new experience, you may have to
30
TIPS on using the video
conferencing facilities
When you enter your USP campus’ USPNet
room you’ll notice a large television, a small
rectangular camera on top of the television,
and a triangular black microphone on the
table. This equipment is easy to use. Most
USP campuses have trained USPNet staff to
prepare the equipment for you. If your USP
campus USPNet staff person is not available,
follow these directions.
1. Turn on the camera. There is a switch on
the left side of the rear panel.
2. Turn on the TV. The satellite connection
• Be patient. USPNet uses a compressed
video format. This is a lower quality video
than what we see on television or from
video movies. First-time users will
notice the jerky or blurry image created by
movement, such as a lecturer walking
around the classroom. The picture
becomes clear and focused once
the movement stops.
• Inform your lecturer if you experience
problems. If you experience any other
problems, such as the type sizes
being too small to read please let your
lecturer know so that this can be rectified.
If it is a technical problem, such as there
being no sound, contact your USPNet
operator.
learn some new strategies and techniques to
gain the most from your DFL course. Here are
some general tips and hints to get you started.
More specific information about learning
through reading, note-taking, group discussion
and assignments is also provided on the
following pages.
• Choose an appropriate place to
study. A special place at home, at the USP
campus, or at your workplace after hours
may suit you better However, try to use the
same location every time you study. Also
try to create an environment that allows
you to study effectively. Some people find
too much noise a distraction, while others
find that music helps them concentrate by
blocking out the daily activities around
them.
will occur automatically if your session has
been scheduled for that time.
3. Adjust the TV sound volume to a
comfortable level.
4. Check that the tabletop triangular
microphone is on. The on-off button
is in the middle of the microphone. If the
light shines red, the microphone is
turned off. Depress the button to turn the
microphone on. The microphone is
powerful so just speak in your
normal voice—there’s no need to talk
loudly.
• Pause for a few seconds between
speakers. There is a two to three second
time delay to allow the video signal from
Laucala Campus to bounce up to the
satellite and down to your USP campus.
Working with this gap is awkward at first.
You, your lecturer and your fellow students
will probably interrupt each other a bit until
the rhythm of satellite conversation is
learned.
• Speak slowly and clearly. Talking via the
satellite is not as clear as talking face-
to-face with someone. There may
be echoes or distracting noises
that make hearing difficult. Don’t
• Set aside enough time for you to study.
You may have family and work
responsibilities around which you have to
fit your studies.
- For how long should I study? USP
courses usually require about 10
hours a week, the equivalent to 150
hours in a semester to complete. So one
or two hours a day is good for most
people. However, you may find
that you can spend more time studying
during weekends.
- How often should I study? Research
has shown that learning and remembering
improves if you spread out your study over
a period of days, rather than try to cram
5. Your lecturer or tutor at the Laucala,
Emalus or Alafua Campus can control your
camera using a remote control device
similar to a home TV remote control device.
The equipment is pre-set for students; you
be embarrassed if a lecturer cannot clearly
understand you and asks you to repeat
yourself a few times. Similarly, if you can’t
understand what you are hearing from the
lecturer, ask them to repeat the
in all the information into one intensive
session per week.
- When should I study? Set your time
to study for the time you are most
STUDYING BY DFL USP

alert. This depends on if you are an early
morning person or if you feel more
relaxed in the early evening or late
at night. Obviously, this will also depend
on what your other commitments are and
the location at which you have chosen to
study.
- How do I plan my study time? Draw
up a study schedule. If you have
a daily or weekly plan for completing
your readings and assignments and then
stick to the schedule, the workload will feel
less overwhelming. Plan at least two weeks
in advance. Two weeks is a long enough
period to gauge your progress, but not
too far ahead that you can’t adapt the
plan. To begin with itemise what you
want to study each day, to cover the work
set for the whole week. At the end of
the two weeks, check to see if you have
achieved your goals before planning the
next two weeks.
• Before you begin a study period,
review the work you achieved during
your last study session. Going over
your last session’s notes will refresh your
memory at the same time as reinforce
your understanding of the information
you have learnt. If you completed
a practical exercise during your
last session, rewrite the results as notes
and highlight the observations you made.
You may have started an assignment,
so it might be useful to read it out
loud and review if it is focused on
the assignment question. Reviewing your
last session’s work is valuable because
you are reinforcing what you are learning.
• Before you begin studying, decide what
you intend to do for that study session.
Set a defined amount of work that you
wish to achieve and make it realistic
for the time you have set aside. For
example you may choose to spend one
hour reading a set number of pages,
or starting an assignment, or preparing
some notes for a practical exercise. By
setting hourly or daily session goals, you
will achieve more.
• Keep up your attendance at lectures,
laboratories and tutorials. Even if you are
given lecture notes, these will provide only
part of the information you need to
fully understand the course; you
need to attend the lecture and tutorials
as well. Often a lecturer or tutor will let
students ask further questions, which may
result in the tutor or lecturer providing
more information than what is supplied in
the lecture notes.
• When you watch lectures on a video
monitor, you are forced to stare at the
screen for long periods of time. There may
also be wide variations in the quality
of the video picture and sound. For these
reasons, watching a lecture on video
requires more concentration than being in
a regular classroom.
• During any type of lecture, make a
habit of writing down any questions as you
think of them. While you may not be able
to communicate directly with your
lecturer, during a lecture, you may get an
opportunity to ask your questions
during an audio conference or via an online
discussion sometime after the lecture.
• If you haven’t used online learning
before, make sure you attend
one of the training sessions held
at the start of semester. This will
help you develop the skills required
to participate fully in the interactive
portion of your course. If you
can’t attend the training session, ask
about alternative arrangements. Make
sure you access your online learning early
on in your semester and keep accessing
throughout the semester. The online
learning management system is
often used by lecturers and tutors to
communicate vital announcements
or additional course material. It will
also help you keep in touch with your
classmates around the region.
• Make sure you regularly check with your
local USP campus for changes to the dates
and times of your lectures, laboratory
sessions and tutorials. Sometimes
the dates and times of these sessions
are changed at the last minute due to
technical difficulties with the USPNet, or
clashes with other courses.
How do I learn through reading?
As a DFL student, you will probably do most
of your learning through reading your study
materials, instead of listening to someone
lecturing to you. Therefore, reading will be the
most frequent activity you will be doing during
your studies. Indeed, reading may be a daily
activity.
Reading for study is very different from reading
for pleasure. Reading for study means learning,
understanding and retaining the information
you read. Most students find the most effective
reading technique is a three-stage process:
survey reading, serious reading, and study
reading.
What is survey reading?
The purpose of survey reading is to find out
quickly what the main topic is and how the
material is organised into sections or subsections.
To survey read, follow these simple
steps:
1. Rapidly read the title, introductory
paragraph and last paragraph(s) of the
selected chapter or article, as these often
summarise the main ideas communicated
of the chapter or article.
2. Read the headings and sub-headings. If
there are none, then read the first sentence
of each paragraph.
3. Note any words highlighted by colour, bold
or italic print.
4. Take a quick look at illustrations, maps,
diagrams, tables, figures and charts.
Many USP courses also provide
a schematic overview at the beginning of a
section.
What is serious reading?
In the serious reading stage, you should get a
deeper understanding of the main points, how
the examples and explanations support these
main points, and how the materials fit into your
previous knowledge of the subject. To serious
read, follow these simple steps:
STUDYING BY DFL
31
STUDYING BY DFL USP

STUDYING BY DFL
32
1. Carry out a concentrated and thoughtful
reading of the entire chapter or article.
2. Highlight important points, examples and
definitions with a pencil or a brightly
coloured highlighter. These will form the
basis of the notes you may wish to take in
the next stage.
3. Try to work out the meaning of difficult
or unfamiliar words rather than turning
to a dictionary. If you can’t work them out
then highlight them in another colour so
you can come back to them later and find
them quickly.
4. Think up questions that will focus your
understanding of the chapter or article.
For example, ask yourself ‘Why is the
material divided up in this way?’
5. Carry out any exercises given in the
course materials and record the results
immediately.
What is study reading?
The purpose of study reading is to record
information for learning immediately and
reviewing at a later date. You may want to refer
to the next section, ‘How do I learn through
note-taking? to support the process below. To
study read, follow these simple steps:
1. Record what you need to remember and
use.
2. Write out what you highlighted in stage
two. Where possible, it is useful to write
out the highlighted information in your own
words.
3. Analyse the results of interactive
exercises and see how they helped you to
understand the main concepts.
4. Before tests or examination, use the notes
you developed at this stage to test yourself
and your understanding of concepts,
theories, or arguments.
The next step in learning effectively is making
quality notes from what you are reading. If
they are well written and detailed enough then
your notes will be your personalised tools for
How do I learn through
note-taking?
learning. To be effective they should:
• Be brief and to the point, but clear and
easy to use for your revision later;
• Be an outline of main points and
arguments made in logical order;
• Be in a skeleton outline and not in a
continuous paragraph;
• Be kept systematically filed on numbered
pages, such as in a ring-binder which
allows you to add notes on the same topics;
• Be easier to remember by using
colour, diagrams, flow charts, underlining
and highlighting for emphasis;
• Include both the standard abbreviations
such as eg, ie, etc, cf and your own
‘shorthand’ that you understand, such
as ‘wrt’ for with respect to; ‘betw’ for
between; ‘diff.’ for difference; ‘\’ for
therefore; and,
• Include sources and other references cited
- this provides bibliographical detail
essential in avoiding plagiarism.
There are many ways to make notes and you
should develop a method which suits the way
you learn and the type of material you are
studying. Here are some suggested methods.
How do I use the ‘Brief Notes
Under Headings’ method?
This method is very useful when making notes
from readings that have clearly organised
passages and headings. Most people use this
method to organise their learning for revision
and for preparing assignments such as essays.
To make brief notes under headings, you
should:
1. Read the passage quickly to get an
overview.
2. Read the passage again more slowly and
highlight in a brightly coloured pen or
underline the main points.
3. Write detailed notes under headings
and subheadings, keeping in mind
the main points. If passages do not have
these, develop your own headings and/
or subheadings from the main topic
sentence(s)
[Source: Taking Notes, A CELT Study Sheet,
CELT, USP]
Below is an example of this method being used:
This is the Original Passage:
... and we begin in the west of Tonga, which by 1777, when visited by Cook, had developed one of the most highly stratified societies of
Polynesia. Cook observed commoners stooping to touch the sole of a chief’s foot as he passed, and the Duff missionaries, in 1797, observed
how a chief simply rode his double canoe over the smaller canoe of commoners in order to reach the English ship.
Bellwood, P. The Polynesians: Prehistory of an Island People, London 1978. HPF02 Course Book p101.
After step 2, the passage looks like this:
... and we begin in the west of Tonga, which by 1777, when visited by Cook, had developed one of the most highly stratified societies of
Polynesia. Cook observed commoners stooping to touch the sole of a chief’s foot as he passed, and the Duff missionaries, in 1797, observed
how a chief simply rode his double canoe over the smaller canoe of commoners in order to reach the English ship.
Results of step 3 would be:
STUDYING BY DFL USP

TONGA - HIGHLY STRATIFIED SOCIETY
1. 1777: Cook saw commoners touch sole of chiefs foot as he passed.
2. 1797: Duff missionaries saw chief ride double canoe over smaller canoe of
commoners
STUDYING BY DFL
How do I use the ‘Summary Table’
method?
A summary table is particularly useful when
you are making comparisons with your
information. It presents it in a highly structured
manner and enables you to see the similarities
and differences of each subject next to each
other, rather than reading about it later in the
passage. To make a summary table, you should:
1. Read the passage quickly to get an
overview.
2. Read the passage more slowly and
highlight or underline the contrasts
and/or comparisons.
3. Draw up a table with divisions
depending on the number of groups
being compared/contrasted.
4. Enter the points highlighted (see
example below).
[Source: Taking Notes, A CELT Study Sheet,
CELT, USP]
Below is an example of this method being used:
This is the Original Passage:
The Tropical Chiefdoms
The societies which developed in tropical Polynesia by AD 1800 each had their own idiosyncrasies, despite the overall striking degree of
homogeneity. In the large populous groups such as Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga and the Societies, highly stratified chiefdoms developed which
were capable of a degree of monumental stone construction; the archaeological record in these regions is thus relatively rich. At the other
extreme the inhabitants of the ecologically poor atolls remained basically egalitarian, although the archaeological record on some atolls still
has a decided interest. In an intermediate position, we have smaller volcanic islands such as the Austral and Southern Cooks - these often
developed very warlike but generally small-scale societies ...
33
Bellwood, P. The Polynesians: Prehistory of an Island People, London 1978. HPF02 Course Book p101.
By step 4, your summary notes may look like this:
THREE TYPES OF SOCIETY IN POLYNESIA BY AD 1800
Highly Stratified
Chiefdoms
Warlike Small-scale
Societies
Basically
Egalitarian
in large populous groups
e.g. Hawaii, Tonga,
Samoa societies
Archaeological remains
are rich.
in smaller volcanic islands e.g. Australs,
Southern Cooks
Archaeological remains
are *
in ecologically poor
aTolls
e.g. *
Archaeological remains
are interesting
* = no information given
STUDYING BY DFL USP

STUDYING BY DFL
How do I use the time line method
The timeline method is especially useful for
taking notes from a chapter or article which
outlines a historical period during which a
series of events happened to a number of
different people. In particular, this method helps
you learn a sequence of dates. To develop a
timeline, you should
1. Read the passage quickly for an overview.
2. Read the passage more slowly and
highlight the dates and events.
3. Draw up the timeline, following the
example outlined below
[Source: Taking Notes, A CELT Study Sheet,
CELT, USP]
On the right is an example of this method being
used:
This is the Original Passage:
... by AD950 it is possible to use genealogical traditions to reconstruct a history of the ruling
families. By AD 1200 the whole group was apparently dominated by the Tuitonga dynasty,
which ruled from the district of Mu‘a on Tongatapu and some parts of Samoa were also
possibly controlled by Tongans at this time. By about 1500 the dominant political leadership
passed to the Tui Ha‘a Takalaua dynasty and in turn to the Tui Kanokupolu dynasty about
1600. Since the late eighteenth century the Tui Kanokupolu line has acquired an increasing
political control of Tonga which it still retains in the person of the present king. The Tui Tonga
dynasty retained a degree of ceremonial power until the death of the last Tui Tonga in 1865,
and the prerogatives of the title were then assumed by King George I Tupou, the reigning Tui
Kanokupolu.
After step 3, a timeline would look like this:
History of Ruling Families of Tonga
[Source: genealogical traditions]
AD
Dominating Dynasty
-- c 1200 Tui Tonga [Mua Tongatapu]
-- c 1500 political leadership Tui Haa Takalaua
-- c 1600 political leadership Tui Kanakupolu
-- c 1700 increasing political control Tui Kanakupolu
-- c 1800 Tui Tonga retained ceremonial power
-- c 1865 Death of last Tui Tonga
-- 1900 prerogatives George I Tupou
34
How do I use the ‘Quick Diagram’
method?
In some cases, it is useful to make a brief
sketch of what is described in a chapter or
article, to give you a visual image of something
that it may be describing in words. To create a
quick diagram, you should:
1. Read the passage or description quickly
to give you an idea of what is being
described.
2. Read it again more slowly to gain an
understanding, underlining the specific
items that you will include.
3. Lightly sketch the items you underlined,
using a pencil, in their appropriate
positions.
4. Check against the passage.
5. Outline more boldly, once you have double
checked.
[Source: Taking Notes, A CELT Study Sheet,
CELT, USP]
On the right is an example of this method being
used:
This is the Original Passage:
PREHISTORIC EARTHWORK FORTIFICATION
CEREMONIAL CENTRE OF RULING DYNASTIES MU‘A TONGA
The settlement pattern in Tonga at European contact comprised scattered dwellings, some
in fenced gardens with neat gateways separated by roads and tracks. No definite villages
are known but the major ceremonial centre of the ruling dynasties at Mu‘a was obviously
quite heavily nucleated and comprised a ditched and banked enclosure covering about
400 by 500 metres which contained numerous house platforms for chiefs, their families and
retainers and priests. In the centre, was a large open space (the malae), and several of the
large terraced tombs were situated inside and outside the enclosure. ... As far as is known,
this is the only example of a prehistoric earthwork fortification in Tonga, although several
more were built during the wars of the early nineteenth century.
After steps 1, 2, 3, a quick diagram of a ceremonial centre would look like this:
STUDYING BY DFL USP

HOW WILL MY LEARNING
BE ASSESSED?
ASSESSMENT
How is my academic progress
measured?
All USP Distance and Flexible Learning courses
have set activities that measure your academic
progress and performance throughout the
course. Continuous assessment and final
examination are the two main components
for measuring academic performance
at USP. The final grade that you will be
awarded for each course at the end of a
semester is a combination of marks from your
continuous assessment and final examination.
The percentage weighting given to each
component differs from course to course but
it is generally between 40 per cent and 60 per
cent, for example: continuous assessment 40
per cent and final examination 60 per cent.
Continuous assessment
Continuous assessment gauges your
understanding of the material at certain stages
within the course. You may be assessed
through assignments, tests, laboratory sessions,
project writing or tutorial participation. Your
marks throughout all these assessments
collectively add up to your total continuous
assessment mark.
All the information regarding the continuous
assessment of your course is provided in
your Introduction and Assignments Booklet.
Students taking Internet courses can access
this information online.
Final examination
When you are required to sit a final examination
at the end of the semester, everything you
covered in your course will be examined.
Examinations are normally conducted over
a three-hour period. As a way of preparing
for an examination, you should try to practise
answering as many questions as possible
from past examination and test papers for
that particular USP course. USP examination
papers from previous years are also available
in full-text online through the USP website at
http://www.usp.ac.fj. Check with your USP
campus in advance regarding your actual
examination date and time, to allow you to
organise your schedule and plan any necessary
travel.
35
ASSESSMENT USP

ASSESSMENT
36
Writing pieces of work such as assignments
helps you learn and extends the scope of your
knowledge, particularly when you are writing
essays or research papers which require you
to read more than just information provided in
your course materials package.
In order to complete an assignment you need
to:
How do I learn through writing
assignments?
1. Study the topic and/or question carefully.
Note direction words, such as ‘discuss’,
which means you should present different
aspects of the topic; or ‘compare’ which
means you should outline both the
similarities and the differences; or
‘analyse’ which means you should examine
data to find out what they represent.
2. Read carefully any hints and tips provided
in the assignment instructions which are
there to help you.
3. Draw up a tentative plan of the assignment.
This should help you focus on the
argument you will make within your essay.
4. Collect information and ideas from
your course readings and the extra
materials you may have gathered from
the library and other sources. You should
also collect information for the bibliography.
5. Organise the information in a way that
focuses on the argument you’re going to
make within your essay. You can always
revise the plan later, if necessary.
6. Write the first draft. You can start by
writing the topic sentences for each
paragraph. These topic sentences
may be the key points you want
to make in your argument or the
key areas you want to cover in your
discussion or comparison. You can then
flesh out each of the paragraps by
citing supporting evidence or relevant
quotes gathered from your reading
materials.
7. Edit and rewrite the draft. It may help if you
read the essay out loud, or get a fellow
student to read it and provide feedback.
8. Proof-read your essay. If you wrote
your essay on a computer, don’t rely
on the computer spell-checker to pick up
spelling mistakes. Often the mistakes
you make are actually spelt correctly!
You should also proof-read your essay for
correct referencing. Refer to you
Introduction and Assignments Booklet for
more information on referencing.
9. Write the final version. If you didn’t use
a computer to write your draft, we
recommend that you schedule some
time to access the computer at the
USP campus to write your final
version. If this is not possible, make sure
you write your final version in neat
handwriting. It will make it easier
for your course co-ordinator to read
and grade your essay. To enable your
tutor to comment on particular parts of
your assignment, only write on one
side of the sheet and leave a
one inch (three centimetre) margin on
the left side of each page. If you have
access to a computer and a printer,
you may submit your assignments in
word-processed form.
10. Remember to include a bibliography.
Avoid plagiarism by being careful how
you use quotes from your references.
More information on avoiding plagiarism is
provided in your Introduction and
Assignments Booklet.
11. Photocopy your final version. This is
especially important if you have not
written the essay on a computer.
If your original essay goes missing, you can
at least send a ‘back up’ copy. If you did
write the essay on a computer, make sure
you make both an electronic and paper
back up.
What should I include in my
assignment to get a good grade?
It is important that you include some essential
aspects in your essays or assignment answers.
Your assignments will be graded based on
evidence that you have covered both the
course readings and extra reading from the
library. Your essay should also demonstrate
a good understanding of the topic. The
information you outline in your assignment
should be relevant to the topic and accurate.
The citations or quotations you use should give
validity to your argument and support your
opinion.
Your essay should present a concise and
logical flow of information. You will also be
graded on your use of illustrations, examples
and/or reasons to support statements or
arguments. Your references should be cited
correctly both within the text and at the end
of the assignment. You will also be graded on
your neatness and clarity of presentation.
What should I include when
submitting an assignment?
You should submit all your assignments to your
USP campus by the dates given in your study
schedule and in the correct order. Keeping
to the study schedule and completing the
assignments on time will ensure you will receive
regular feedback on your progress through
your course.
For each assignment, you should correctly fill
out an assignment cover form. If you do not
have assignment covers, contact your USP
campus. Correct labelling will help ensure that
the marker receives your assignment on time,
and that you get the credit for the work that
you do.
On each assignment that you send in for
marking, you should write or type:
• the full name you used to register for your
course;
• your student ID number;
• the correct course code and title; and
• the assignment number.
You should also make sure all pages are
correctly labelled, just in case pages go
missing.
For some courses it is possible to submit
assignments online. Please check with your
Course Coordinator.
ASSESSMENT USP

FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT:
Assignments
1. How do I know if my distance and flexible
learning course has assignments?
As part of your USP distance and flexible
learning course materials, you will receive a
booklet called Introduction and Assignments
(each course has its own booklet). All
assignment requirements for your course will
be described in detail in this book.
2. How do I know when my assignments are due?
Within the Introduction and Assignments
Booklet will be the due dates for your
assignments, so look for them on the study
schedule or on the pages that describe the
assignments.
3. How do I send my assignments to the
tutor?
You send your assignments to the course
tutor via your USP campus. You can either
personally hand them in at your USP campus
or send them by post. Before sending in your
assignment, you must attach a cover sheet.
On the cover sheet you will fill in the following
information: your name, USP student ID
number, the course code, the course title
and the date that you posted or handed in
the assignment. Please check with your USP
campus before sending assignments via post.
Campus staff may advise you not to send
assignments via post, as there may be a risk
that the assignment won’t reach the campus
in time or may go missing. You may also be
able to submit your assignments via the online
learning management system that your course
is using. Check with your tutor or course coordinator.
4. Can I e-mail my assignment to my tutor
or course co-ordinator?
Yes. The USP campus will do this on your
behalf. You must type in your course code,
name and student number exactly as you
would for any other assignment and then save
it onto a disk. Then make sure to write your
course code, name and student ID number
on the disk label as well, before handing the
disk in at your local campus. Your USP campus
will e-mail your assignment to your coordinator,
who will mark it electronically before
e-mailing it back to your USP campus. Your
USP campus will provide you with a print-out
of your assignment, with your co-ordinator’s
comments and marks on it. However, some
course co-ordinators prefer that you don’t
send assignments via e-mail. If you are unsure,
please check with your course co-ordinator or
USP campus staff.
5. Do I lose marks if my assignments are
late?
In general, you will lose marks if your
assignments are late and in some cases you
may not get any marks at all. Check in the
Introduction and Assignments Booklet that is
included with your course materials for details
about your course’s grading policy.
6. Can I get an extension on an
assignment’s due date?
In general, extensions are not given to
assignment due dates; however, in some
special circumstances, an extension may be
granted. To request an extension, write to your
course co-ordinator with the reasons for the
extension and the date you plan to hand in your
assignment. Look for his or her contact details
in the Introduction and Assignments Booklet
that is included with your course materials, or
check with staff at the USP campus.
7. Who do I contact if I find the assignment
difficult?
If you find an assignment difficult, we
recommend several courses of action. First, be
sure you have read the assignment and gone
over the course materials carefully. If you are
still having trouble, you may find it useful to
make an appointment with a tutor at your USP
campus.
Alternatively, you may wish to contact your
course co-ordinator directly with your
questions, possibly by post, phone, fax or
e-mail. His or her contact details can be found
in the Introduction and Assignments Booklet
included with your course materials. Another
useful approach may be to talk to someone in
your community who is also registered for the
same course or who has taken the course in
the past. The staff at your USP campus may be
able to help you locate such a person.
8. What happens if I copy someone else’s
answers in an activity, assignment, test or
examination?
Copying someone else’s answers on an
activity, assignment, test or examination is
unacceptable. This is known as plagiarism and
is strictly prohibited by the USP Disciplinary
Regulations (for more details refer to the
Student Disciplinary Handbook). If you copy
someone else’s answers you will fail your
activity, assignment or test and possibly the
course.
9. How will I know if my distance and
flexible learning course has a midsemester
test?
As part of your USP distance and flexible
learning course materials, you will receive a
booklet called Introduction and Assignments
(each course has its own booklet). Within this
book will be a study schedule that indicates
all assignments and tests for the course. You
can also ask at your USP campus to determine
whether or not your course has a mid-semester
test.
10. Will I fail the course if I send only two
of the three assignments required in my
distance and flexible learning course?
In some cases it may be possible to pass a USP
distance and flexible learning course if you do
not send in one of the assignments. It depends
on the grading policy for your course and how
the course co-ordinator has chosen to assess
each assignment. Refer to the Introduction
and Assignments Booklet that is included with
your course materials for grading details. It is,
however recommended that you complete all
assignments.
Your course may require you to sit tests. Tests
count towards your course-work and may
replace written assignments. At the end of the
course, you will sit a final examination, normally
three hours long. Check with your USP campus
about the date, time and venue of the test(s)
and final examination.
ASSESSMENT
37
ASSESSMENT USP

ASSESSMENT
How do I prepare for my tests and
examinations?
• Get a good night’s sleep the night before
your examination. Try and avoid staying up
late doing last minute cramming. You need
to be fresh and alert.
allocated to it, then leave it and move on.
You may have time later to come back to it.
It is most important that you attempt all of
the questions you are supposed to do.
Your final examination is important as it counts
38
for a large proportion of the total marks for the
course. Some courses have a minimum mark
to be scored in the examination. Check if your
course is one of those. If you have worked
steadily throughout your course and have
completed all your assignments, there is no
reason for you to be afraid of the examination.
Sometimes people do badly in examinations
because they are so nervous, because they
have not prepared themselves properly, or
because they have not used sensible tactics in
actually writing the exam.
• Start revising well before the examination.
There is no substitute for thorough
preparation. Generally you should start
preparation as soon as you have
completed your final assignment.
• Review all activities in each unit. Your exam
questions will be based on what is in your
course material and set texts, so make sure
you have a good understanding of the
topics in each unit of the course. Become
very familiar with all of the course material.
• Go over the past examination papers.
Often these are provided in your
Introduction and Assignments Booklet. If
not, the library at your USP campus
may have copies or you can download
them from USP website at http://www.
usp.ac.fj. Begin testing yourself
by writing some draft answers to last year’s
questions. If you feel unable to answer
some of the questions, then go back to
the Course Book and revise the sections
on which your knowledge is weak.
Remember, old exam papers can only give
you an idea about the type of questions
that will be asked. The exam paper that
you have to answer this semester will
definitely not be exactly the same as a past
paper.
• Read through your graded assignments.
Take particular note of any comments
written by your tutors or co-ordinator.
• Make sure you read the rules for sitting
examinations. These should be provided
to you when you are notified about your
examination date, time and venue. Not
knowing the rules will not exempt you from
being failed if you are caught breaking
them.
• Make sure you have everything you
need, including your USP ID card, before
you enter the examination venue. If you
are unsure what to take, ask the staff at
your USP campus. Also make sure that
you are not taking anything into the
examination venue that may disqualify
you, such as calculator covers with
writing on them. Even if the writing has
no relevance to your course, you
can still be automatically failed.
• Get to the examination venue early. Settle
yourself at your allocated or your selected
place quietly. The examination co-ordinator
will read you a list of rules and outline
the procedure for completing your
examination paper. At the scheduled time,
the co-ordinator will ask you to turn over
your examination paper and allow you a
certain amount of time to read.
• Read the instructions very carefully. Make
sure you are clear about how many
questions to do, and which questions you
must do. If you are allowed to use a
highlighter, highlight the compulsory
questions you must do. Then highlight
the other optional questions that you have
chosen to answer. Do not begin answering
the questions until you have been told to
do so.
• Plan your time wisely. Take a watch with
you to the exam to help you stick to
your plan. If all questions are of
equal value, then spend equal amounts of
time on each of them. If a question is
worth more marks than others, then
give it more time. If you have not
finished a question in the time you have
• Read each question carefully. Think
through what you are really being asked to
write about.
• Plan your answer. Before writing your
answer to a question, take a little time to
jot down a brief outline of how you are
going to organise your answer.
• Do not leave the examination before
you are really sure you have done
everything possible to complete the
answers. If you finish early, then check
over what you have written. You may be
able to correct mistakes or add information
you did not think of before. Remember
that someone has to read your answers.
Although you will be trying to write fast,
make sure your writing is legible.
ASSESSMENT USP

FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT:
Examinations
1. How do I know if my USP Distance
and Flexible Learning course has a final
examination?
This information should be available in your
Introduction and Assignments Booklet, or you
can check with your local USP campus.
2. How do I know the time and venue for
my examination?
This information will be in the final examination
timetable which would be released by your
USP campus four (4) weeks before the exams.
The examination timetable may also appear in
your local newspapers or be announced on
your local radio or television station.
3. What if I want to change the venue for
the examination?
You should ensure that your USP campus
is informed of your wish to change your
examination venue and they will advise if a
change is possible.
4. Will I fail a USP Distance and Flexible
Learning course if I do not sit for the
examination?
Yes. You will fail the course and will be given an
EX as your final grade.
5. What can I do if I was ill the day of my
examination?
You will need to obtain a medical certificate
from a registered medical practitioner, attach it
to your ‘Application for Aegrotat Pass/Special
Exam’ form and forward it to your USP campus.
6. When will I get my course results?
The course results will be released immediately
after they have been approved. This is usually
three to four weeks after the final examinations.
7. How do I appeal a course result?
You can apply for a reconsideration of your
course grade within eight weeks from the
date of release of your result slip. You can do
this by writing to staff at your local Student
Academic Services or USP campus and paying
a fee (refer to the Fees section of the 2007
Enrolment Guide or the 2007 Calendar).
8. Can I re-sit my examination if I fail?
Only in very special circumstances will students
be allowed to carry forward their coursework
marks and sit the final examination when the
course is next offered. Find out from your USP
campus what these circumstances might be.
ASSESSMENT
39
ASSESSMENT USP

CONTACTS
WHO CAN I CONTACT
IF I HAVE A PROBLEM OR A QUESTION?
40
USP Campuses
Whether you have queries about enrolment,
want some additional course counselling, need
to ask a tutor a question, are ready to turn in a
course assignment or have any other needs as
a USP Distance and Flexible Learning student,
it is to your local USP campus you should turn
first. Your USP campus is your link with the
other members of the USP community spread
throughout the Pacific region. There is a USP
campus in each of the twelve USP Member
Countries and they are set up to provide you
with all the services and support you need to
succeed as a USP student.
If you live close to your USP campus, you will
find a range of facilities and services that are
available for your use. All USP campuses have
audio and video conferencing facilities through
which you can participate in live interactive
tutorials with your on-campus course lecturers
and tutors. At every USP campus, you will find
a library and computers provided for research,
writing assignments and e-mails, with access to
the Internet. Some of the USP campuses have
additional classrooms, science laboratories,
full-time lecturers, regularly scheduled on-site
tutorials and much more.
Even if you live some distance from your
USP campus, it is there to serve your needs
as a USP student. You should feel free to let
your USP campus know through whatever
means is easiest for you, whether it be post,
phone or another method, depending on
what your specific needs are. You should also
make inquiries about services available to
you within your island or area. For example,
USP campuses may be able to help you get
in touch with other students living near you
so you can form study support groups, or
your USP campus may have organised short
courses, seminars, lectures or other activities
at community facilities near you. Some USP
campuses are also able to make special
arrangements for particularly remote students,
such as providing free return calls for those
living on outer islands.
If you live near one of the three major USP
campuses: Alafua Campus in Samoa, Emalus
Campus in Vanuatu or Laucala Campus in Fiji,
you can contact the local Student Academic
Services office regarding administrative
matters such as course offerings, admissions,
enrolment information, tutorials, assignments,
tests and exams, cross credits, examination
results and graduation. A wide range of
information is also provided on the USP
website at http://www.usp.ac.fj, including
forms for admission, enrolment, cross credits,
withdrawal and graduation.
Students at Laucala Campus can receive
academic support directly from the lecturers
and tutors on campus. Alafua and Emalus also
have distance and flexible learning support
centres to provide direct academic support to
DFL students.
CONTACTS USP

The contact details for the 12 Member
Countries are:
COOK ISLANDS
USP COOK ISLANDS CAMPUS
Director: Mr Roderick Dixon
Postal address: PO Box 130, Rarotonga,
Cook Islands
Tel: (682) 29415 or 29416
Fax: (682) 21315
E-mail: dixon_r@usp.ac.fj
Office hours:
Mondays to Fridays, 8:00am – 4:00pm
REPUBLIC OF FIJI
LAUCALA CAMPUS
STUDENT ACADEMIC SERVICES
Postal address: The University of the South
Pacific, Private Mail Bag Suva, Fiji.
Tel: (679) 323 2424 or 323 2354
Fax: (679) 323 1516
E-mail: helpdesk@student.usp.ac.fj
USP LABASA CAMPUS
Director: Dr Samuela Bogitini
Postal address: Private Mail Bag, Labasa, Fiji
Tel: (679) 881 7707 (ext 208)
Fax: (679) 881 5570
E-mail: bogitini_s@usp.ac.fj
Office hours:
Mondays to Fridays, 8:00am – 4:30pm
Savusavu Centre
Co-ordinator: Mr Sairusi Lui
Postal Address: Private Mail Bag, Savusavu, Fji.
Tel: (679) 885 3708
Fax: (679) 885 3709
E-mail: lui_s@usp.ac.fj
USP LAUTOKA CAMPUS
Director: Mr Joseph Veramu
Postal address: Private Mail Bag, Lautoka, Fiji
Tel: (679) 666 6800
Fax: (679) 666 7133
E-mail: veramu_j@usp.ac.fj
Office hours:
Mondays to Fridays, 8:00am – 4:30pm
Saturdays (Library only) 9:00am – 1:00pm
KIRIBATI
USP KIRIBATI CAMPUS
Director: Dr Uentabo Mackenzie
Postal address: PO Box 59, Bairiki, Kiribati
Tel: (686) 21085
E-mail: mackenzie_u@usp.ac.fj
Office hours:
Mondays to Fridays, 9:00am – 6:00pm
REPUBLIC OF MARSHALL ISLANDS
USP MARSHALL ISLANDS CAMPUS
Director: Dr Irene Taafaki
Postal address: PO Box 3537, Majuro,
Marshall Islands
Tel: (692) 625 7279
Fax: (692) 625 7282
E-mail: taafaki_i@usp.ac.fj
Office hours:
Mondays to Fridays, 8:00am – 5:00pm
REPUBLIC OF NAURU
USP NAURU CAMPUS
Director: Ms Alamanda Lauti
Postal address: Private Bag, Post Office,
Republic of Nauru
Tel: (674) 444 3774
Fax: (674) 444 3774
Email: lauti_a@usp.ac.fj
Office hours:
Mondays to Fridays, 8:30am – 5:00pm
NIUE
USP NIUE CAMPUS
Director: Mr Maru Talagi
Postal address: PO Box 31, Alofi, Niue
Tel: (679) 20874 or 26954
Fax: (679) 23424
E-mail: talagi_m@usp.ac.fj
Office hours:
Mondays to Fridays, 8:00am – 4:00pm
SAMOA
ALAFUA CAMPUS
STUDENT ACADEMIC SERVICES
Postal address: The University of the South
Pacific, Private Bag, Apia, Samoa.
Tel: (685) 21671
Fax: (685) 22933
E-mail: enquiries@samoa.usp.ac.fj
Savai’i Centre
c/o Savalalo Public Library
Contact: As above
SOLOMON ISLANDS
USP SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPUS
Director: Dr Glynn Galo
Postal address: PO Box 460, Honiara,
Solomon Islands.
Tel: (677) 21307
Fax: (677) 21287
E-mail: galo_g@usp.ac.fj
Office hours:
Mondays to Fridays, 8:00am – 4:30pm
Gizo Centre
Western Province
Contact: As above
TOKELAU
USP TOKELAU CAMPUS
Co-ordinator: Mr Kelihiano Kalolo
Postal address: c/- Alafua Campus Student
Academic Services, USP
Private Bag, Apia, Samoa
Tel: (685) 21671
Fax: (685) 22933
Email: kalolo_k@usp.ac.fj
Office hours:
Mondays to Fridays, 9:00am – 5:00pm
KINGDOM OF TONGA
USP TONGA CAMPUS
Director: Mrs Salote Fukofuka
Postal address: PO Box 278, Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Tel: (676) 29055 or 29240
Fax: (676) 29249
E-mail: fukofuka_s@usp.ac.fj
Office hours:
Mondays to Fridays, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Ha’apai Centre
Tel: (676) 60099
E-mail: vaikio_onemato@yahoo.com
Vava’u Centre
Tel: (676) 70545
E-mail: uspvavau@kalianetvav.to
TUVALU
USP TUVALU CAMPUS
Director: Mr. David Manuella
Postal address: PO Box 21, Funafuti, Tuvalu
Tel: (688) 20811
Fax: (688) 20704
E-mail: manuella_d@usp.ac.fj
Office hours:
Mondays to Fridays, 8:00am – 4:30pm
VANUATU
EMALUS CAMPUS
STUDENT ACADEMIC SERVICES
Postal address: The University of the South
Pacific, Private Mail Bag 072,
Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Tel: (678) 23988 or 22748
Fax: (678) 24371
Email: nirua_j@vanuatu.usp.ac.fj
Office hours:
Mondays to Fridays, 7.30am-4.30pm
CONTACTS
41
CONTACTS USP

CONTACTS
Penama Centre
Co-ordinator: Mr Sandy Banga
Postal Address: Saratamata East Ambae,
Ambae, Vanuatu
Tel: (678) 38089
Fax: (678) 38827
Email: penama_c@vanuatu.usp.ac.fj
Santo Centre
Co-ordinator: Mr Wilson Vuti
Postal Address: P O Box 176, Luganville Santo,
Vanuatu
Tel: (678) 36438
Fax: (678) 36299
E-mail: vuti_w@vanuatu.usp.ac.fj
Tanna Centre
Co-ordinator: Mr George Samuel
Postal Address: PO Box 23, Isangel, Tafea,
Vanuatu
Tel: (678) 68713
Fax: (678) 68726
E-mail: tafea_c@vanuatu.usp.ac.fj
Academic Advisors
USP academic advisors are available at USP
schools and departments within the four
faculties on the Laucala Campus in Fiji, the
Alafua Campus in Samoa, the Emalus Campus
in Vanuatu. USP academic advisors are also
located in the Centre for Continuing and
Community Education, College of Foundation
Studies and the Centre for Excellence in
Learning and Teaching on the Laucala Campus
in Fiji.
These advisors are available to provide
academic counselling to all USP students.
They can help you choose your program of
study, select the appropriate course(s) to
register for and generally guide you as you
progress through your program of study or
courses. They are all accessible by e-mail, fax,
telephone, and via post. You are encouraged to
contact your advisor if you need any academic
counselling. Each advisor’s name and contact
details are listed below.
Centre for Continuing and Community Education
42
USP’s Continuing and Community Education
programs offer non-credit courses and training
activities for the purpose of re-skilling, multiskilling,
remedial learning, vocational training,
or professional upgrading of currently held
qualifications. These national and regional
programs encourage wider community
development, cultural documentation and
preservation, and the personal enjoyment of
lifelong learning.
Basic Preparatory Program Mr Neil Netaf netaf_n@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2028
Community Workers Certificate Mr Neil Natef netaf_n@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2028
Disability Studies Liku Mataluvu mataluvu_l@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2257
Early Childhood Education Unaisi Vasu Tuivaga tuivaga_u@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2488
College of Foundation Studies
The College of Foundation Studies at USP is
responsible for the development and teaching
of courses at the Preliminary and Foundation
levels. These are pre-degree study programs
and in most countries in the region they are
equivalent to the last one or two years of
secondary school (refer to the list of local
equivalents on page 11 of this handbook).
and in most countries in the region they are
equivalent to the last one or two years of
secondary school (refer to the list of local
equivalents on page 11 of this handbook).
Director Emily Moala moala_e@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 1101
Accounting Vimlesh Narayan narayan_vi@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 1144
Biology Aruna Lata lata_ar@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 1122
Chemistry Saleshni Devi devi_sa@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 1117
Economics Fozia Nisha nisha_f@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 1110
Geography Semi Duaibe duaibe_s@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 1118
History Susan Kotoisuva Sela sela_s@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 1127
Language Cynthia Naidu naidu_c@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 1128
Maths/Comp. Sc. Robert Wojcik wojcik_r@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 1113
Physics Savin Chand chand_sv@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 1124
Politics Susan Kotoisuva Sela sela_s@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 1127
Sociology Louisa Manueli manueli_l@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 1114
Technology Tokireti Tekerau tekerau_t@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 1145
CONTACTS USP

Faculty of Arts and Law
CONTACTS
The Faculty embraces the Arts, Social Science,
Law and Education disciplines. Graduates
of the faculty either follow a clear vocational
pathway into teaching, legal, journalism, library
or social work careers, or enter the workforce
with a generic set of highly-regarded
transferable skills.
The Faculty of Arts and Law offers programs
at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Its courses are delivered on campus or by
distance and flexible learning, or both. Students
can choose from a diverse range of discipline
majors in the Bachelor of Arts, while the
degree programs of Bachelor of Education and
Bachelor of Laws impart the requisite body of
knowledge needed to equip students for their
future professions as teachers or lawyers.
The Faculty of Arts and Law consists of the
following schools:
School of Education
Early Childhood Education Dr Desma Hughes hughes_d@vanuatu.usp.ac.fj (678) 40400
Food and Textiles Ms Sereima Naisilisili naisilisili@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2229
Non-formal and Community Education Dr Akanisi Kedrayate kedrayate_a@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2256
Primary Education Dr Govinda Lingam govinda_i@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2311
Professional Education Mr Teweiariki Teaero teaero_t@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2596
Research and Postgraduate Studies Dr Konai Thaman thaman_k@usp.ac.fj 679) 323 2357
Special Education Ms Joyce Heeraman heeraman_j@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2310
Secondary Education Dr Akhila Nand Sharma sharma_a@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2252
Technical and Vocational Education Alfred Liligeto liligeto_a@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2037
43
School of Language, Arts and Media
Journalism Mr Shailendra Singh singh_sh@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2689
Linguistics Dr Paul Geraghty (Sem.1) geraghty_p@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2263
Dr France Mugler (Sem. II) mugler_f@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2242
Literature Dr Mohit Prasad prasad_m@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2411
Pacific Languages Unit Dr Robert Early early_r@vanuatu.usp.ac.fj (678) 22748
Theatre Arts Prof. Ian Gaskall gaskell_i@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2565
School of Law
Assoc. Prof. Peter MacFarlane macfarlane_p@vanuatu.usp.ac.fj (678) 24568 (ext 33)
Yoli Tomtavala tomtavala_y@vanuatu.usp.ac.fj (678) 24568 (ext 29)
Dr Mohammed Ahmadu ahmadu_m@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2978
CONTACTS USP

CONTACTS
School of Social Sciences
History
Bachelor of Arts in History
All division members
Bachelor of Education in History
All division members
Postgraduate Diploma in History Prof. Ian Campbell campbell_i@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2574
MA/PhD in History
same as above
Politics and International Affairs
Bachelor of Arts in Politics Dr Sandra Tarte tarte_s@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2577
Postgraduate Diploma in Politics
(same as above)
Postgraduate Diploma in International Affairs
(same as above)
Sociology and Social Work
Industrial Relations Ms Ashla Singh singh_ams@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2654
Police Program Ms Ruth Lund lund_r@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2536
Social Studies Ms Kylie Anderson anderson_k@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2553
Sociology Dr Lynda Newland newland_l@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2530
Youth Program Dr Vivian Koster koster_v@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2516
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Psychology
Certificate in Basic Counselling Dr Johnny Decatoria decatoria_j@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2574
BA Ms Gaylene Osbourne-Finekaso osbourne_g@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2212
Postgraduate Diploma/MA/PhD Dr Roland Schultz schultz_r@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2056
CONTACTS USP

Faculty of Business and Economics
CONTACTS
The Faculty’s academic focus is directed
towards developing professionals who can
sustain and develop the work of the public and
private sectors of the region’s economies.
The Faculty of Business and Economics offers
certificate, diploma and bachelor’s degree
programs, as well as programs at postgraduate
level. The programs offer opportunities either
to specialise in a particular academic discipline
or alternatively to obtain a general business
education. All programs are designed to
provide the graduate with an understanding
of how specialist skills can contribute to the
overall commercial environment.
Opportunities to pursue interdisciplinary
studies exist and students are encouraged
to consider these. A double major with the
Bachelor of Commerce including Information
Systems (a discipline offered by the School
of Computing, Information and Mathematical
Sciences in the Faculty of Science and
Technology) is expected to be especially
popular.
The Faculty of Business and Economics
consists of the following schools:
Graduate School of Business
PGCertBA, PGDipBA & MBA Prof James McMaster mcmaster_j@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2461
School of Accounting and Finance
Assoc. Prof. Arvind Patel patel_a@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2499
Accounting & Financial Management
Mr Nacanieli Rika rika_n@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2515
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School of Economics
Economics Assoc. Prof. Biman Prasad chand_b@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2568
Dr Azmat Gani gani_a@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2579
Official Statistics Dr Saia Kami kami_s@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2576
Postgraduate Studies Assoc. Prof. Mahendra Reddy reddy_m@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2089
School of Management and Public Administration
Management & Public Administration Ms Jashwini Narayan narayan_j@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2179
Ms Naolah Pitia pitia_n@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2873
CONTACTS USP

CONTACTS
Faculty of Islands and Oceans
The Faculty of Islands and Oceans has been
formed to ensure the region has the resources
and skills to maximise the opportunities our
environment offers. The Faculty has a multidisciplinary
and applied focus on sustainable
development, regional relevance, innovation,
problem-solving and creativity, increasing
capacity in science, social science and
technology, and integrated management of
land, agricultural, fresh-water, marine and
human resources of the small island states of
the Pacific Ocean. The incorporation of the
Oceania Centre for Arts and Culture in the
new Faculty indicates the importance that
USP places on the flourishing of visual and
performing arts firmly rooted in Pacific histories
and traditions.
Along with the Bachelor of Agriculture, the
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science are
the main undergraduate degree programs
offered by the new faculty in 2007.
The Faculty of Islands and Oceans consists of
the following schools and departments:
School of Agriculture and Food Technology
David Hunter hunter_d@samoa.usp.ac.fj (685) 21671
School of Geography
Geography Professor Randy Thaman thaman_r@usp.ac.fj (679) 321 2546
Population Studies Dr Kesaia Seniloli seniloli_k@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2258
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Department of Land Management
Land Management & Development Dr Mele Rakai rakai_m@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2456
School of Marine Studies
Marine Affairs Dr Joeli Veitayaki veitayaki_j@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2960
Marine Studies Head of School (679) 323 2933
Department of Tourism and Hospitality
Tourism Studies Dr Tracy Berno berno_t@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2106
Faculty of Science and Technology
The programs and courses offered by
the schools of the Faculty of Science and
Technology place emphasis on general
principles across a broad spectrum, rather
than narrow specialisation. Through this
approach the Faculty hopes to produce
graduates with the flexible outlook required to
adapt to a body of knowledge that is changing
at an accelerating pace, as pure and applied
scientists are in high demand in many of the
USP member countries.
Many Bachelor of Science students take two
major disciplines, or one major and two minor
disciplines in their degree, providing a broad
base for their future employment. A strong
research culture in the Faculty encourages
many Science graduates to continue their
studies at a postgraduate level.
The Faculty of Science and Technology
includes the following:
BSc Year I Mrs Uma Prasad prasad_u@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2434
BSc Years II & III Dr Culwick Togamana togamana_c@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2477
General Academic Advice Dr Anjeela Jokhan jokhan_ad@usp.ac.fj (679) 323 2567
CONTACTS USP