KNL3001 Indigenous Australian Cultures and Communities

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

RATIONALE

Understanding Indigenous Australian social issues involves understanding of the cultures of Australia's Indigenous societies and their relation ship with the wider Australian community. Australia has two separate peoples who can claim Indigenous status. Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander Australian groups are composed of disparate socio-cultural entities. All Australians should have an understanding and appreciation of Indigenous Australian cultures and societies because their uniqueness and complexity provides an opportunity for the development and consolidation of an understanding and appreciation of all peoples, their cultures and societies. Through a study of Indigenous Australian cultures and societies, attitudes can be challenged and a foundation set to address issues of cultural arrogance (i.e. belief in the superiority of one's own culture), ethnocentrism and ignorance facilitating progression towards mutual understanding and respect for others' cultures and societies. To achieve a balanced approach in interacting with Indigenous groups and individuals, this course investigates aspects of Indigenous cultures and societies.

SYNOPSIS

The central core of the course is the presentation of Indigenous Australian perspectives and viewpoints to correct the imbalance in knowledge and understanding of Australia's history which has predominated since invasion. Consideration is given to the concepts of culture, society and group and individual identity. The course investigates aspects of Indigenous Australian cultures including, kinship, languages and land affiliation. The emphasis is placed on having an understanding and appreciation of Indigenous Australian attitudes. The content and structure of this course will emphasize the need for a sound theoretical and philosophical understanding of cultural interaction and difference in community and relationship connections, confronting stereotypes that have been constructed around Australia's Indigenous populations, and reconstructing those images on a basis of knowledge and understanding of, and empathy towards, those people who are the original inhabitants of this country. Throughout the course, four major constructs will be explored: (i) contested views of historic and contemporary Indigenous Australian cultures, societies and identities; (ii) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contemporary social, political and economic situations; (iii) policies and practices in relation to social issues for Aborigines and Torres Strait Islander peoples; (iv) identifying strategies for reducing social disadvantage

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. demonstrate an appreciation of Australia's inclusive history, and of past and contemporary policies and practices relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. (Assessment 1, 3)
2. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity, cultures and societies (Assessment 1, 3)
3. demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the socio-cultural, political and economic position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in contemporary society (Assessment 1, 3)
4. demonstrate respect for and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's lifestyles and attitudes (Assessment 1, 3)
5. identify avenues to promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's access and participation in society at all levels, without denying their heritage (Assessment 2, 3)
6. identify strategies for advancing the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (e.g. knowledge providers, health workers) in community situations (Assessment 1, 2, 3)

TOPICS

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 2005, Telling the truth about Aboriginal history, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW.

Austin, J (ed) 2005, Culture and identity, 2nd edn, Pearson, Frenchs Forest, NSW.

Beckett, J 1989, Torres Strait Islanders - custom and colonialism, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne.

Beckett, J (ed) 1994, Past and present: the construction of Aboriginality, Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra.

Behrentd, L 2003, Achieving social justice, Federation Press, Annandale.

Berndt, RM & Berndt, CH 1988, The world of the first Australians; Aboriginal traditional life: past and present, Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra.

Broome, R 2001, Aboriginal Australians: black responses to white dominance, 1788-2001, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards, NSW.

Commonwealth of Australia 2005, National report to parliament on Indigenous education and training, 2003, Department of Education, Science and Training, Canberra.

Cowlishaw, G 2004, Blackfellas, whitefellas and the hidden injuries of race, Blackwell, Malden, MA.
(available online via the World Wide Web http://www.loc.gov/catdir/toc/ecip042/2003008051.html)

Gordon, M 2001, Reconciliation: a journey, UNSW Press, Sydney.

Haebich, A 2000, Broken circle: fragmenting Indigenous families 1800-200., Fremantle Arts Press, Fremantle, WA.

Neill, R 2002, White out: how politics is killing black Australia, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW.

Phillips, J & Lampert, J 2005, Introductory Indigenous studies in education: the importance of knowing, Pearson Prentice Hall, Frenchs Forest, NSW.

Reynolds, H 2000, Black pioneers, Penguin, Ringwood, Vic.

Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision 2005, Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage: key indicators 2005 /overcoming Indigenous disadvantage 2005, The Steering Committee, Melbourne.
(Also available online via the World Wide Web http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/indigenous/keyindicators2005/keyindicators2005.pdf)

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

Identify your personal cultural beliefs regarding Indigenous Australia (1000 words)

2.

Involving personal or service-based interaction with local cultural group(s) (2000 words)

3.

(750 words)

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximize their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   Students must negotiate with the course examiner for extensions to the due date of their assignments. If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of up to 20% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must submit all of the summative assessment items, and attain at least 50% of the available weighted marks for the summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Not applicable
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 27 May 2008.