AIS3070 - Australian Aboriginal Women

Leader: Dr Amanda Kearney

Offered

Clayton First semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit focuses on theoretical and cultural issues involved in studying Australian Aboriginal women: 'traditional' roles of Aboriginal women and their place in the colonial economy; European constructions of Aboriginal women's sexuality; the place of Aboriginal women in the state and nation; Aboriginal women and feminism; media constructions and stereotypes of Aboriginal women; representations of Aboriginal women in film; present needs and future prospects, and comparisons with Maori and South African women.

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit students should have:

1. Gained an understanding of the roles of Australian Aboriginal women historically and in their communities today, and of the ways in which academic knowledge of Aboriginal women has been constructed.
2. Developed an awareness of the value of interdisciplinary approaches to a study of this kind, and of the importance of Aboriginal oral testimonies, as well as the uses of film and other media in the study of Australian Aboriginal women.

Assessment

Research essay (3000 words): 65%
Class project (1500 words): 20%
Class presentation: 15%
Third-year students will be expected to demonstrate more sophisticated analytical skills and submit work with demonstrates that they have read more extensively.

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 2 hour seminar) per week

Prerequisites

First year sequence or with permission of the coordinator

Prohibitions

AIS2070, AIS2170, AIS3170