Students

ABST302 – Indigenous Research Matters

2016 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Alice Te Punga Somerville
W3A room 402
Tuesday 9-11 or by appointment
Bronwyn Carlson
Credit points Credit points
6
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp
Corequisites Corequisites
ANTH305 or EDUC388 or ENVG340 or LAW468 or GEOP340
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
Analysis of an article 5% 19 August 2016
Book report 15% 7 Sept 2016
Annotated bibliography 10% 7 October 2016
Work in progress report 10% 21 October 2016
Final project 40% 4 November 2016
Research portfolio 10% 11 November 2016
Participation 10% 11 November 2016

Analysis of an article

Due: 19 August 2016
Weighting: 5%

Select ONE article we have read in the first two weeks of class. Analyse the article in terms of its various elements: author, publishing context, argument, structure, writing style and evidence/ bibliography; also write at least 200 words about your own response to the article. Use the template on iLearn to present your analysis of the article. We will discuss this assignment in weeks 1 and 2 of semester.

 

The criteria and standards by which your work will be assessed will be available in the ilearn site.


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

Book report

Due: 7 Sept 2016
Weighting: 15%

Read ONE of the following books about Indigenous research; we will decide 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 Turnitin AND the discussion board on iLearn before 5pm on 7 September.

  • 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)

The criteria and standards by which your work will be assessed will be available in the ilearn site 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recognise the historical legacies of research and subsequent effects on research practices with Indigenous peoples today.

Annotated bibliography

Due: 7 October 2016
Weighting: 10%

Prepare and upload to Turnitin an annotated bibliography for the topic you will explore in your final project. INT students: bring a printed copy to class on 7 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. 

 

The criteria and standards by which your work will be assessed will be available in the ilearn site 


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: 21 October 2016
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.  

 

The criteria and standards by which your work will be assessed will be available in the ilearn site 


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: 4 November 2016
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.

Your essay should be 4000 words in length. If it is under 3750 or over 4250 marks will be deducted. 

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

 

The criteria and standards by which your work will be assessed will be available in the ilearn site 


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: 11 November 2016
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

 

The criteria and standards by which your work will be assessed will be available in the ilearn site 


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: 11 November 2016
Weighting: 10%

Your participation grade will reflect your attendance in class and active engagement in in-class and online activities. It will be calculated at the end of semester.


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 also listed in iLearn under each week. They will all be available online through the Macquarie University library. 

Week 2

  • Martin Nakata. “Australian Indigenous Studies: A Question of Discipline.” The Australian Journal of Anthropology. 17.3: 2006.
  • Martin Nakata et al. "Decolonial goals and pedagogies for Indigenous studies." Decolonization : indigeneity, education & society. 1.1: 2012.
  • Chadwick Allen. "Rere Ke/Moving Differently: Indigenizing Methodologies for Comparative Indigenous Literary Studies." Journal of New Zealand Literature. 24.2: 2007.
  • Chris Andersen. "Critical Indigenous Studies: From difference to density." Cultural Studies Review. 15.2: 2009.
  • Deborah McGregor. "Coming full circle: Indigenous knowledge, environment, and our future." American Indian Quarterly. 28.3/4: 2004.
  • Reilly, M P J. 'Māori Studies, Past and Present: A Review'. The Contemporary Pacific. 23.2: 2011.
  • Robert Warrior. “Native American Scholarship and the transnational turn”. Cultural Studies Review. 15.2: 2009.
  • Kavelin, Chris. Universities as the Gatekeepers of the Intellectual Property of Indigenous People's Medical Knowledge. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education. 37: 2008.

Week 3

  • Martin Nakata et al. "Decolonial goals and pedagogies for Indigenous studies." Decolonization : indigeneity, education & society. 1.1: 2012.
  • Chadwick Allen. "Rere Ke/Moving Differently: Indigenizing Methodologies for Comparative Indigenous Literary Studies." Journal of New Zealand Literature. 24.2: 2007.
  • Chris Andersen. "Critical Indigenous Studies: From difference to density." Cultural Studies Review. 15.2: 2009.
  • Deborah McGregor. "Coming full circle: Indigenous knowledge, environment, and our future." American Indian Quarterly. 28.3/4: 2004.
  • Robert Warrior. “Native American Scholarship and the transnational turn”. Cultural Studies Review. 15.2: 2009.
  • Lester-Irabinna Rigney. "Internationalization of an Indigenous Anticolonial Cultural Critique of Research Methodologies: A Guide to Indigenist Research Methodology and Its Principles" Wicazo Sa Review, 1 October 1999, Vol.14(2), pp.109-121

  • Jelena Porsanger. "An Essay about Indigenous Methodology" Nordlit : Tidsskrift i litteratur og kultur , Vol 8, Iss 1, Pp 105-120 (2004)

 

Week 4

AIATSIS - Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies

http://aiatsis.gov.au/research/ethical-research/guidelines-ethical-research-australian-indigenous-studies

UNDRIP

https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/un-declaration-rights-indigenous-peoples-1

 

Gail Dana-Sacco. "The Indigenous Researcher as Individual and Collective." American Indian Quarterly. 34 (1) 2010: 61-82.

David Hough. "Decolonizing the agenda: a preliminary critique of Non-Native Indigenous Research." 湘南工科大学紀要. 46. 2012: 61-72.

[Don't freak out about the title of this journal; just look up the article's title through MQ library and you'll be able to click through to the article.]

 

Week 5

Please note the books required for the book report due 7 September:

  • 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)

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.

 

Week 6

No new reading

 

Week 7

No new reading

 

Week 8

The readings for week 8 will be determined by the class during week 7 - each student will nominate one article relevant to their research interests.

 

Week 9

For week 9 we will look at four online sources of information:

Glen Coulthard  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6NdQwJyT1U

Maile Arvin  https://mailevine.wordpress.com/2014/06/27/following-the-public-hearings-on-native-hawaiian-federal-recognition/

Information about Alaskan example  https://tm112.community.uaf.edu/unit-4/federal-recognition-of-alaska-tribes-and-relations-with-the-state-of-alaska/

Australian Recognise campaign website   http://www.recognise.org.au/

Also recommended - http://www.civilbeat.org/2014/06/kanaka-maoli-to-feds-get-out-of-our-house-go-home/ and Glen Coulthard's book Red Skin White Masks: rejecting the colonial politics of recognition.

Week 10

No new reading (work in progress presentations)

Week 11

No new reading (in-class film and discussion)

Week 12

No new reading

Week 13

No new reading

 

EXT students - additional information about unit delivery

This unit is offered online for EXT students and access to the internet and a computer are essential (mobile technology such as an iphone or ipad are not sufficient for this course). 

Online units can be accessed at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/

For technical support with passwords or to check if the Learning Management System (LMS) is down, go tohttp://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

For basic training in how to use the LMS, please go to http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/index.htm

For Learning & Teaching issues e.g. how to access your online materials such as readings, i-lecture, please contact the Unit Convenor.

 

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). 

 

 

1

5 Aug

 

 

Introduction: Capstone/ why research?

 

Research in Indigenous Studies: in university

 

 

2

 

12 Aug

 

 

Research in Indigenous Studies: discipline

 

3

 

19 Aug

Research in Indigenous Studies: method

 

 

Engagement with one article

4

 

26 Aug

Research in Indigenous Studies: researcher

 

 

 

5

 

2 Sept

NO CLASS

Research in Indigenous Studies: book-length engagement

 

Written book reports – due 7 Sept

6

 

9 Sept

Research in Indigenous Studies: discussion of books

 

Research process: choosing and refining a topic

 

 

7

 

16 Sept

Research in Indigenous Studies: library workshop

 

 

 

 

BREAK

 

 

 

 

8

 

7 Oct

Engaging deeply with specific research

 

Research process: Annotated bibliography

 

 

Annotated bibliography

9

 

14 Oct

Engaging widely about a specific topic

#1 - Recognition

 

Research process: Research statement

 

 

10

 

21 Oct

Engaging with our own research

 

Research process: Work in progress report

 

Work in progress report

(pecha kutcha style)

11

 

28 Oct

Engaging widely about a specific topic

#2 – tbc

 

Research process: Writing

 

 

12

 

4 Nov

Disseminating and reflecting on research

Final project

 

 

13

11 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

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

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

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources 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

  • 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

  • Analysis of an article
  • Book report
  • 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

  • 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

  • Analysis of an article
  • Book report
  • 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

  • Analysis of an article
  • Book report
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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

  • 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

  • Research portfolio
  • Participation