Undergraduate - UnitATS1251 - Introduction to Indigenous Australian studies

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Notes

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.

Outcomes

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%

Chief examiner(s)

Robyn Heckenberg/Andrew Gunstone

Contact hours

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

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Community studies
Australian studies
Australian Indigenous studies

Prohibitions

AIS1010, AIS1011, KRS2010, GSC1801