KNL 1001 Indigenous Cultural Identity

KNL	1001	31318	1, 2004	EXT	Indigenous Cultural Identity	1.00	TWMBA
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	KUMBN
Academic org:	KUMBNL
Student contribution band:	1
ASCED code:	090311

Staffing
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Student workload
Assessment details
Other requirements
PDF version

STAFFING:

Examiner: Phillip Dreise
Moderator: Neville Perkins

RATIONALE:

Culture is a primary basis of identity. Individually, within groups, nationally and internationally, identity governs social interaction. Understanding how identity is assigned is a vital part of relating to culture and social organization. Consequently an understanding of culture and society is essential in an examination of cultural identity. When Edgar (1980, p.130) wrote of culture as the filter through which we see and understand our current reality, he revealed the impact of the past and its influences on the present. To understand contemporary Australian cultural identities, we must examine the historical influences that moulded current realities of particular groups and, specifically, of our two Indigenous cultural groups - Australian Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islanders. Aboriginal cultural groups have occupied this land for at least 60 000 years and during this time have developed culturally diverse, rich and complex lifestyles. The Torres Strait Islanders are more recent inhabitants and were, historically, confined to the Torres Strait. Both Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders developed differing cultures within their own groups and areas. Such knowledge contributes to an appreciation of Australia's Indigenous groups' identity and their relationships with(in) multi-cultural Australia.

SYNOPSIS:

The content of this course explores concepts of Indigenous identity at a variety of levels: individual or personal identity, group identity, international perceptions of identity from indigenous and non-indigenous perspectives, an historical view of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies and identities, ideas of contemporary Australian identity, and a view to the future. During this course of study, learners will be introduced to: Cultural, social and environmental factors affecting personal and group identity, Events and concepts affecting notions of Australian identity, Indigenous social and cultural identities and how these have been affected by historical events, The effects of media and literature on development of views of Indigenous Australian identities, Possible futures in Australian notions of identity and inclusiveness.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

Display an understanding of the roots of their individual identity based on familial and social circumstances.
Discuss the impact of culture and social organisation on identity
Display some knowledge of identity among international indigenous and non-indigenous groups
Demonstrate an appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identities based on concepts of Creation, spirituality, law, kinship structures, language
Discuss the maintenance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and identities since invasion and occupation, and through subsequent government policies.
Relate the importance of literature, art, music and dance to the maintenance of Indigenous Australian cultural identities.
Debate the unique part which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have played in Australian society and history, and their role in the development of contemporary and future Australian identities.

TOPICS:

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Culture and Identity	20.00
2.	Influences on Identity	20.00
3.	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identities	30.00
4.	Forming Identity	20.00
5.	Impacts on Aboriginal Culture and Identities	10.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.
Attwood, B 1989, The Making of the Aborigines, Allen and Unwin, Sydney.

Austin, J (ed) 2001, Culture and Identity, Pearson Education Australia, Frenchs Forest, New South Wales.

Dudgeon, P, Oxenham, D and Grogan, G 1997, Learning identities and differences, Curtin Indigenous Research Centre, Perth.

Dunbar, R, Knight, C and Power, C (eds) 1999, The evolution of culture: an interdisciplinary view, Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Hartley, J and McKee, A (eds) 1996, Telling both stories: indigenous Australians and the media, Arts Enterprise Edith Cowan University, Mt Lawley, WA.

Healey, K (ed) 1993, Indigenous peoples, Spinney Press, Wentworth Falls, NSW.

Kidd, W 2001, Culture and Identity, Palgrave, Basingstoke.

Oxenham, D, Cameron, J, Collard, K, Dudgeon, P, Garvey, D, Kickett, M, Kickett, T & Roberts, J 1999, A Dialogue on Indigenous Identity: Warts'n' All, Gunada Press, Perth.
(CIRC)

Sharp, N 1993, Stars of Tagai: the Torres Strait Islanders, Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra.

Singe, J 1989, The Torres Strait. People and History, University of Queensland, Brisbane.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Assessment	35.00
Directed Study	52.00
Private Study	78.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date
PERSONAL IDENTITY	10.00	10.00	12 Mar 2004	(see note 1)
LITERATURE/MEDIA REVIEW	30.00	30.00	08 Apr 2004	(see note 2)
CRITIQUE OF AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY	40.00	40.00	07 May 2004	(see note 3)
REF INDIGENOUS CUL INDENTITY	20.00	20.00	04 Jun 2004	(see note 4)

NOTES:

1.: 500 Words
2.: 1000 Words
3.: 2000 Words
4.: 750 Words

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
It is the students' responsibility to actively participate in all classes scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete the assignments, students must gain at least 50% of the marks available for each of the assignments.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
An assignment, submitted after the due date without an extension approved by the Examiner, will attract a penalty of 10% of the assigned mark for each day (or part there of that the assignment is late.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of a passing grade for the course, students must demonstrate, via the assessment items in the Assessment Details section that they have achieved the required minimum standards in relation to the objectives of the course by: (i) satisfactorily completing all assessment items; and (ii) obtaining at least 50% of the total marks available for all assessment items. Students who do not qualify for a Passing grade may, at the discretion of the Examiner, be assigned additional work to demonstrate to the Examiner that they have achieved the standard required for a Pass. It is expected that such students will have gained at least 45 % of the total marks available for all assessment items.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
Final grades for students will be determined by the addition of the marks obtained in each assessment item, weighted as in the Assessment Details section. Marking criteria will be provided in course material as mark sheets /guides or as part of assignment specifications.
Examination information:
There is no examination for this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Not applicable for this course.
University Regulations:
Please refer to the USQ Handbook regarding overall course assessment information. Further assessment information for this course is in the Course Introductory book.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

1.	The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner.
2.	Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within five days if required by the Examiner. The student must retain this copy until the grade for this course has been finalised.
3.	The examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
4.	In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next working day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner's convenience.
5.	Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in a course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of a course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete - Make up). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study.
6.	Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
7.	When there is more than one marker for a single item of assessment, the distributed patterns and means for the different markers will be compared and marks adjusted if necessary.
8.	The Faculty will normally only accept assessments that have been written, typed or printed on paper-based media.
9.	Marking criteria are provided in course material as mark sheets/guides or as part of assignment specifications.
10.	All assessment items must be submitted and passed.
11.	Summative assessment items will receive a numerical score.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Students will require access to e-mail and Internet access to USQConnect for this course.
Students are to use a recognised referencing system as specified by the course examiner.
In accordance with the University's Assignment Extension Policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the Examiner of a course may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances. This policy may be found in the USQ Handbook, and the Distance Education Student Guide for new on-campus students. All students are advised to study and follow the guidelines associated with this policy.