Late Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Protocols for Indigenous Studies 

In Australia, there are two distinct Indigenous peoples: Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

When writing about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders do not use the acronym ‘ATSI’, write in full. A capital ‘A’ should always be used when referring to Aboriginal peoples. ‘Aboriginal peoples’ with a capital ‘A’ refers to the many hundreds of different groups in Australia. While it is an acceptable term to use, it should be recognised that it is a collective term and often used improperly to impose a single identity on the many different communities. 

Aboriginal people generally prefer to be called by the language/cultural groups or communities, to which they belong, that is, own names rather than terms such as ‘Aborigines’ or the ‘Aboriginals’. For example, Aboriginal peoples in the Sydney region may refer to themselves as Dharug. It is important that you always check with the local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community as to the correct name or terms to use for people in the area/region. 

The use of incorrect, inappropriate or dated terminology is to be avoided as it can give offence. Many historical terms or those in common usage some years ago are not now acceptable, including terms such as ‘native’, ‘savage’ and ‘primitive’. Similarly, do not use the terms ‘half-caste’, ‘part-Aborigine/Aboriginal’ or any reference to skin colour or physical features, as they do not signify that a person is Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and may cause offence. When quoting from academic or other sources that uses inappropriate, dated terminology or racists language, use (sic) directly after the inappropriate term of phrase, thus calling attention to the fact that it has been sourced from the original and that you understand it to be outdated, inappropriate or problematic in the contemporary context. 

Referencing

Referencing is an essential component of academic writing or presentation since it enables the reader to follow up the source of ideas and information presented in your work, and to examine the interpretation you place on the material discovered in your research. Reliable referencing clearly indicates where you have drawn your own conclusions from the evidence presented. Importantly, much of the material you will use is covered by copyright which means that you must acknowledge any source of information, including books, journals, newsprint, images and the internet.

It is obligatory for students to reference all sources used in their written work including electronic material. Students should consult the University library website for a detailed explanation and examples of how to reference electronic material correctly

Different programs use different referencing styles to reflect the needs of their discipline. It is the student’s responsibility to check which referencing style is used. Indigenous Studies use the Harvard referencing style. 

Unit Requirements

During the unit students will be required to access the Learning Management System to:

• Submit the required assessment tasks  in a timely manner.
• Complete all the required readings for the unit.
• Contribute to online discussions and activities.
• Engage with the course materials

Online Participation Guidelines

A significant part of your online learning experience involves learning with and from other students and the teacher in the online discussions and activities. Active participation means sharing information and resources, posting your own ideas, and critiquing or expanding on the ideas of others in a respectful and collegial fashion. You are expected to follow accepted standards of English spelling, grammar and punctuation, when you are participating in web discussions or sending emails. These discussions are for you to exchange your reflections with your classmates and teacher about what you are learning. The discussions will be organised into forums around the particular themes you are studying.

As an online student in an advanced degree, you will be taking a proactive approach to your learning. The Unit Convenor’s role is to support your learning, your role is to engage your own learning. You will be managing your own time so that you can complete the readings, activities and assignments for the unit. It is anticipated that if you have genuine difficulties that you will approach the Unit Convenor, and also that you use the opportunity to ask questions and share some of your thoughts and ideas within the collaborative online learning space.

Submission of Assignment

All work is to be submitted via the Turnitin function inside the ilearn site.

Return of marked work

Marked work will be returned to students electronically via ilearn.

Electronic Submissions

Information about how to submit work online can be accessed through the ilearn unit. 

Examinations

There are no examinations in this unit.

Completion of Assessment Tasks

Please email the unit convenor (Sandy) if you find yourself unable to meet the submission dates for assessments.

Technology

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

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

2. This unit is taught fully on line and access to the internet and a computer are essentail (mobile technology such as an iphone or ipad are not sufficent for this course).

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

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

Terminology protocols for Indigenous Studies 

In Australia there are two distinct Indigenous peoples: Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people.

When writing about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders do not use the acronym ‘ATSI’, write in full. Capital letters should always be used when referring to Aboriginal peoples and or Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

While Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander are acceptable terms to use, it should be recognised that these are collective terms and often used improperly to impose a single identity on the many different communities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people generally prefer to be known by the language/cultural groups or communities, to which they belong, that is, own names rather than terms such 'the Aboriginals' or 'the Islanders'. For example, Aboriginal people in the area surrounding Macquarie University may refer to themselves as Dharug. It is important that you always check the correct name or terms to use for people in the area/region.

The use of incorrect, inappropriate or dated terminology is to be avoided as it can give offence. Many historical terms or those in common usage some years ago are now not acceptable, including terms such as 'aborigine' ‘native’, ‘savage’ and ‘primitive’. Similarly, do not use the terms ‘half-caste’, ‘part-Aborigine/Aboriginal’ or any reference to skin colour or physical features, as they do not signify that a person is Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and may cause offence. When quoting from academic or other sources that uses inappropriate, dated terminology or racists language, use (sic) directly after the inappropriate term of phrase, thus calling attention to the fact that it has been sourced from the original and that you understand it to be outdated, inappropriate or problematic in the contemporary context.