Students

ABST1000 – Introducing Indigenous Australia

2020 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Tutor
Patricia Courtenay
Contact via Email
Arrange a time via email
Tutor
Ash Johnstone
Contact via Email
Arrange a time via email
Tutor
Zac Roberts
Contact via Email
Arrange a time via email
Bronwyn Carlson
Simon Jovanovic
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit offers a broad introduction to the histories, politics and cultures of Indigenous peoples in Australia. Students in this unit will study the historical impact of British colonisation on Australia's first peoples and reflect on their own histories, politics and cultures. Students will learn about Indigenous political resistance focused on the protection of land, country, and cultural identities driven by goals of achieving social justice and the recognition of human rights and Indigenous specific rights. Students in this unit will also be introduced to the social, cultural and political outlook of contemporary Indigenous identity and explore the impact and influence of early colonialist race theory on contemporary representations of Indigenous identity. This unit presents as a thought provoking and challenging experience of learning about Australian history and contemporary politics through the lens of an Indigenous worldview. Thus providing a solid theoretical foundation for anyone wishing to pursue further Indigenous studies.

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:

  • ULO1: Describe the history of Indigenous Australia since British colonisation.
  • ULO2: Discuss the social, cultural and political issues that challenge contemporary Indigenous Australia.
  • ULO3: Explain contemporary Indigenous identity and Indigenous representations of Indigenous identity.
  • ULO4: Examine non-Indigenous constructions of Indigenous identity over time, including early colonialist race theory and its impact on contemporary representations of Indigenous identity.
  • ULO5: Explore societal misconceptions, ideas, attitudes and assumptions about Indigenous Australia.

General Assessment Information

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.

 

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. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online Quiz 30% No Week 4 - Wednesday 19 August by 11.59pm (AEST)
Reflective Essay 40% No Week 9 - Friday 9 October by 11.59pm (AEST)
Active Participation 30% No Week 13 - Monday 2 November by 11.59pm (AEST)

Online Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 4 - Wednesday 19 August by 11.59pm (AEST)
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will need to answer 30 questions and have 1 hour to complete the quiz. Students should complete weekly readings from weeks 1 to 4.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Discuss the social, cultural and political issues that challenge contemporary Indigenous Australia.
  • Explain contemporary Indigenous identity and Indigenous representations of Indigenous identity.
  • Explore societal misconceptions, ideas, attitudes and assumptions about Indigenous Australia.

Reflective Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 9 - Friday 9 October by 11.59pm (AEST)
Weighting: 40%

 

Students will write a 2000 word reflective essay drawing from unit content and independent research. Details will be provided on the iLearn site

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the history of Indigenous Australia since British colonisation.
  • Discuss the social, cultural and political issues that challenge contemporary Indigenous Australia.
  • Explain contemporary Indigenous identity and Indigenous representations of Indigenous identity.
  • Examine non-Indigenous constructions of Indigenous identity over time, including early colonialist race theory and its impact on contemporary representations of Indigenous identity.

Active Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 13 - Monday 2 November by 11.59pm (AEST)
Weighting: 30%

 

Active participation is measured by engagement with all activities and weekly 250 word posts on the online forum and engagement with peers. Details will be provided on the iLearn site.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain contemporary Indigenous identity and Indigenous representations of Indigenous identity.
  • Explore societal misconceptions, ideas, attitudes and assumptions about Indigenous Australia.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student enquiry service

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Equity 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.

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.

Unit Schedule

"Weekday Attendance" students must attend a weekly one hour tutorial via zoom. All lectures and tutorial times will be held on Sydney time.

Please note: Daylight saving will begin at 2am on Sunday 4 October 2020 when clocks go forward one hour in New South Wales.

 

Week 1 Lecture 

Monday 27 July 

12pm – 2pm 

Welcome to Indigenous Studies

  • Historical & Contemporary Overview of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples
  • Overview of ABST1000/ ABSX1000 

Week 2 Lecture

Monday 3 August

12pm – 2pm 

 

Colonisation: Historical Timeline of Resistance, Activism & Agency

Week 3 Lecture

Monday 10 August

12pm – 2pm 

 

Concepts of Race & Acts of Racism

Week 4 Lecture

Monday 17 August

12pm – 2pm

Indigenous People and the Media: Representations & Narratives

 

 

Assessment One – Online Quiz – 30% Due Week 4 - Wednesday 19 August

 

Week 5 Lecture

Monday 24 August

12pm – 2pm

 

The Politics of Indigenous Identities: Social, Cultural & Political Constructs

Week 6 Lecture

Monday 31 August

12pm – 2pm

 

Indigenous Land and Country: Social, Cultural and Legal Meanings

Week 7 Lecture

Monday 7 September

12pm – 2pm

Researching & Writing in Indigenous Studies

 

Recess – Week 1

 

14-18 September

 

Recess – Week 2

 

21-25 September

 

Week 8 Lecture

Monday 28 September

12pm – 2pm 

 

Indigenous People and the Law

Week 9 Lecture

Monday 5 October

12pm – 2pm 

Indigenous Education: An Analysis of Indigenous Education Policy in Australia

 

Assessment Two – Reflective Essay – 40% Due Week 9 - Friday 9 October

 

Week 10 Lecture

Monday 12 October

12pm – 2pm 

 

Indigenous Peoples - Health & Well-Being 

 

Week 11 Lecture

Monday 19 October

12pm – 2pm 

 

Indigenous Peoples – Economic Issues

Week 12 Lecture

Monday 26 October

12pm – 2pm 

 

Decolonisation and Truth-Telling

 

Assessment Three – Blogs – 30% Due Week 13 – Monday 2 November

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.

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 or phrase, thus calling attention to the fact that it has been sourced from the original text and that you understand it to be outdated, inappropriate or problematic in the contemporary context.