AIS1011 - Introduction to Australian Indigenous Societies I

Leader: Andrew Gunstone/Robyn Heckenberg

Offered

Gippsland First semester 2007 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2007 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

The unit will commence with an examination of the representation of Australian Indigenous peoples and societies. It will then explore the topics of Indigenous spirituality, customary law, kinship systems and languages. The unit will then examine government policies, Indigenous resistance, land rights and native title, deaths in custody, stolen generations, reconciliation and sovereignty.

Objectives

On successful completion of this subject, students will:

1. Be able to express the knowledge and understandings they have gained of the diversity of Indigenous Australian cultures, histories and social organisations and of Indigenous perspectives and identities.
2. Understand the impact of colonisation upon these, and Aboriginal responses to this.
3. Have an awareness of the value of interdisciplinary approaches to a study of this kind.
4. Have developed skills of organising materials and using these to write in a coherent way on topics of their choice, with suitable referencing of sources consulted.

Assessment

Essay 1 (700 words): 15%
Essay 2 (1800 words): 40%
Exam (2000 words): 45%

Contact hours

3 hours (1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial) per week

Prohibitions

AIS1010, KRS2010, GSC1801