Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Alice Te Punga Somerville alice.tepungasomerville@mq.edu.au
Credit points	Credit points 6
Prerequisites	Prerequisites 39cp
Corequisites	Corequisites ANTH305 or EDUC388 or ENVG340 or LAW468
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description This project-based research unit builds on the ideas and experiences developed in previous units. Students will plan, develop and complete an individual research project. The unit will examine issues for research involving Indigenous peoples including historical legacies of research and developments in research with Indigenous peoples today; the role of Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers; and the role of de-colonising methods of research to advocate an Indigenous research agenda. In particular it concentrates on the ethical dimensions and operational issues of preparation for academic research in the social sciences, with particular reference to Indigenous settings and concerns. This unit uses the current Macquarie University Ethics Approval Process and is informed by NHMRC, AIATSIS and relevant international sources

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

Recognise the historical legacies of research and subsequent effects on research practices with Indigenous peoples today.
Justify your role as an Indigenous or non-Indigenous researcher or practitioner undertaking research or work with Indigenous communities.
Explain the principles of a range of Indigenous Research Methodologies appropriate for application in research with Indigenous peoples
Apply appropriate Indigenous Studies theoretical frameworks to resolve a range of ethical problems in Indigenous research.
Critically reflect on current issues in Indigenous affairs and develop a proposal for small research project to address the problem.
Interpret and communicate the principles of current Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies guidelines to Indigenous community and professional audiences.

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Due
Book report	10%	28 August 2015
Production of library resource	10%	11 Sept 2015
Annotated bibliography	10%	2 October 2015
Work in progress report	10%	16 October 2015
Final project	40%	30 October 2015
Research portfolio	10%	6 November 2015
Participation	10%	6 November 2015

Book report

Due: 28 August 2015
Weighting: 10%

Read ONE of the following books about Indigenous research; we will decide on who will read which book during the second week of semester. A template for the report is available on iLearn which should be completed and uploaded to the discussion board on iLearn before 11:59pm on 28 August.

Karen Martin Please knock before you enter (2008)
Shawn Wilson Research is ceremony (2009)
Martin Nakata Disciplining the savages; savaging the disciplines (2007)
Linda Tuhiwai Smith Decolonizing methodologies (2nd ed; 2012)
Castejon, Cole, Haag, Hughes Ngapartji, Ngapartji: In turn, in turn (2014)

On successful completion you will be able to:

Recognise the historical legacies of research and subsequent effects on research practices with Indigenous peoples today.

Production of library resource

Due: 11 Sept 2015
Weighting: 10%

Our class session on 11 September will be held in the library where we will work with a librarian to collaboratively produce the 'LibGuide' for Indigenous Studies. This will provide an opportunity for you to draw on your learning about research in Indigenous Studies, and to think about how this can be communicated to an audience that will include Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Your grade will be determined by your attendance and active participation in the workshop. EXT students - if EXT students are able to join us for the session that would be ideal; otherwise, an alternative form of contribution to the LibGuide will be arranged with the instructor.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Recognise the historical legacies of research and subsequent effects on research practices with Indigenous peoples today.
Explain the principles of a range of Indigenous Research Methodologies appropriate for application in research with Indigenous peoples
Interpret and communicate the principles of current Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies guidelines to Indigenous community and professional audiences.

Annotated bibliography

Due: 2 October 2015
Weighting: 10%

Prepare and turn in an annotated bibliography for the topic you will explore in your final project. Bring a printed copy to class on 2 October.

Your annotated bibliography should include NO MORE THAN twenty texts in total and should include AT LEAST ten texts (which have not been assigned for this unit).

We will discuss in class the expectations of an annotated bibliography; your annotations should be at least a half page for each entry, although these need not be in paragraph form.

Your mark will take into account the accuracy of your bibliography in terms of following conventions of citation.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Explain the principles of a range of Indigenous Research Methodologies appropriate for application in research with Indigenous peoples
Critically reflect on current issues in Indigenous affairs and develop a proposal for small research project to address the problem.

Work in progress report

Due: 16 October 2015
Weighting: 10%

You should produce a powerpoint (or prezi or similar) presentation and present on the scope and status of your final research project. Your presentation should include six slides:

* title of your project + the question your research seeks to answer

* a statement about your own relationship to the research as a researcher (interest AND ethics)

* your decisions about methodology

* a key critical resource (essay, article, book etc)

* your plan for completing the project

* a further question you would like us to discuss as a class to help you move forward with your research

You will have a maximum of ten minutes to present; this does not include the time we will take to discuss your question from the last slide.

EXT students: please upload your Work in Progress presentation to iLearn AND provide written feedback to other EXT student submissions on iLearn.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Justify your role as an Indigenous or non-Indigenous researcher or practitioner undertaking research or work with Indigenous communities.
Explain the principles of a range of Indigenous Research Methodologies appropriate for application in research with Indigenous peoples
Apply appropriate Indigenous Studies theoretical frameworks to resolve a range of ethical problems in Indigenous research.
Critically reflect on current issues in Indigenous affairs and develop a proposal for small research project to address the problem.

Final project

Due: 30 October 2015
Weighting: 40%

Your final project will explore ONE key research question related to Indigenous Studies. It will demonstrate your understanding of the topic in relation to the discipline of Indigenous Studies (in Australia and globally) and it will be written in the style of a research essay. We will discuss the specific process and requirements of the research essay over the course of semester.

Please submit this via turnitin before 10am on 30 October.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Apply appropriate Indigenous Studies theoretical frameworks to resolve a range of ethical problems in Indigenous research.
Critically reflect on current issues in Indigenous affairs and develop a proposal for small research project to address the problem.

Research portfolio

Due: 6 November 2015
Weighting: 10%

Your research portfolio is a hard copy of several pieces of work:

* Your final project (turned in electronically the week before)

* An abstract of your final project (we will start work on these during class on 30 October)

* A two page written reflection on your research project and how it connects to the discussions and assessment across the semester

* The initial reflection on Indigenous research you wrote during the first week, and a follow-up reflection on how your ideas have been confirmed, extended, challenged etc since then

On successful completion you will be able to:

Recognise the historical legacies of research and subsequent effects on research practices with Indigenous peoples today.
Justify your role as an Indigenous or non-Indigenous researcher or practitioner undertaking research or work with Indigenous communities.
Explain the principles of a range of Indigenous Research Methodologies appropriate for application in research with Indigenous peoples
Apply appropriate Indigenous Studies theoretical frameworks to resolve a range of ethical problems in Indigenous research.
Critically reflect on current issues in Indigenous affairs and develop a proposal for small research project to address the problem.

Participation

Due: 6 November 2015
Weighting: 10%

Your participation grade will reflect your attendance in class and active engagement in in-class and online activities.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Justify your role as an Indigenous or non-Indigenous researcher or practitioner undertaking research or work with Indigenous communities.
Apply appropriate Indigenous Studies theoretical frameworks to resolve a range of ethical problems in Indigenous research.
Interpret and communicate the principles of current Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies guidelines to Indigenous community and professional audiences.

Delivery and Resources

Readings for this unit are listed in iLearn under each week. They will all be available online through the Macquarie University library.

Please note the books required for the book report on 28 August; each student will only read ONE of these books each. However, it is your responsibility to source the book you are reading. We will decide on who will read which book by the end of week two.

Unit Schedule

Please note: the italicized 'Research process' topics each week are the hands-on work we will be doing each week that relates to the production of research (including your final project).

Week 1	31 July	Introduction: Capstone/ why research? Research in Indigenous Studies: in university Research process: reflections on Indigenous research
2	7 Aug	Research in Indigenous Studies: discipline Research process: thinking about the global and local
3	14 Aug	Research in Indigenous Studies: method Research process: engaging a critical article
4	21 Aug	Research in Indigenous Studies: researcher Research process: thinking about location
5	28 Aug	Research in Indigenous Studies: book-length engagement NO CLASS THIS DAY – STAY HOME AND READ	Written book report
6	4 Sept	Research in Indigenous Studies: discussion of books Research process: choosing and refining a topic
7	11 Sept	Research in Indigenous Studies: library workshop session producing the LibGuide for Indigenous Studies	Library workshop
		BREAK
8	2 Oct	Engaging deeply with specific research Research process: Annotated bibliography	Annotated bibliography
9	9 Oct	Engaging widely about a specific topic #1 - Recognition Research process: Research question
10	16 Oct	Engaging with our own research Research process: Work in progress report	Work in progress presentation
11	23 Oct	Engaging widely about a specific topic #2 – tbc Research process: Writing
12	30 Oct	Disseminating and reflecting on research Research process: Writing an abstract	Final project
13	6 Nov	The role of research in universities, Indigenous Studies and Indigenous communities	Research portfolio

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Apply appropriate Indigenous Studies theoretical frameworks to resolve a range of ethical problems in Indigenous research.
Critically reflect on current issues in Indigenous affairs and develop a proposal for small research project to address the problem.

Assessment tasks

Production of library resource
Work in progress report
Final project
Research portfolio

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

Recognise the historical legacies of research and subsequent effects on research practices with Indigenous peoples today.

Assessment tasks

Book report
Production of library resource
Annotated bibliography
Final project
Research portfolio

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Justify your role as an Indigenous or non-Indigenous researcher or practitioner undertaking research or work with Indigenous communities.
Interpret and communicate the principles of current Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies guidelines to Indigenous community and professional audiences.

Assessment tasks

Production of library resource
Research portfolio
Participation

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Recognise the historical legacies of research and subsequent effects on research practices with Indigenous peoples today.
Explain the principles of a range of Indigenous Research Methodologies appropriate for application in research with Indigenous peoples
Apply appropriate Indigenous Studies theoretical frameworks to resolve a range of ethical problems in Indigenous research.
Critically reflect on current issues in Indigenous affairs and develop a proposal for small research project to address the problem.

Assessment tasks

Book report
Production of library resource
Annotated bibliography
Work in progress report
Final project
Research portfolio
Participation

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Recognise the historical legacies of research and subsequent effects on research practices with Indigenous peoples today.
Explain the principles of a range of Indigenous Research Methodologies appropriate for application in research with Indigenous peoples
Apply appropriate Indigenous Studies theoretical frameworks to resolve a range of ethical problems in Indigenous research.

Assessment tasks

Book report
Production of library resource
Annotated bibliography
Work in progress report
Final project
Research portfolio

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Explain the principles of a range of Indigenous Research Methodologies appropriate for application in research with Indigenous peoples
Apply appropriate Indigenous Studies theoretical frameworks to resolve a range of ethical problems in Indigenous research.
Critically reflect on current issues in Indigenous affairs and develop a proposal for small research project to address the problem.

Assessment tasks

Production of library resource
Annotated bibliography
Work in progress report
Final project
Research portfolio

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Explain the principles of a range of Indigenous Research Methodologies appropriate for application in research with Indigenous peoples
Apply appropriate Indigenous Studies theoretical frameworks to resolve a range of ethical problems in Indigenous research.
Critically reflect on current issues in Indigenous affairs and develop a proposal for small research project to address the problem.
Interpret and communicate the principles of current Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies guidelines to Indigenous community and professional audiences.

Assessment tasks

Book report
Production of library resource
Annotated bibliography
Work in progress report
Final project
Research portfolio
Participation

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Justify your role as an Indigenous or non-Indigenous researcher or practitioner undertaking research or work with Indigenous communities.
Apply appropriate Indigenous Studies theoretical frameworks to resolve a range of ethical problems in Indigenous research.
Critically reflect on current issues in Indigenous affairs and develop a proposal for small research project to address the problem.
Interpret and communicate the principles of current Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies guidelines to Indigenous community and professional audiences.

Assessment tasks

Production of library resource
Research portfolio
Participation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Justify your role as an Indigenous or non-Indigenous researcher or practitioner undertaking research or work with Indigenous communities.
Critically reflect on current issues in Indigenous affairs and develop a proposal for small research project to address the problem.
Interpret and communicate the principles of current Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies guidelines to Indigenous community and professional audiences.

Assessment tasks

Production of library resource
Research portfolio
Participation