Students

ABSX1000 – Introducing Indigenous Australia

2021 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Madi Day
Bronwyn Carlson
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces students to contemporary Indigenous thought, culture and politics in Australia. Students in this unit learn about Indigenous futurism and activism, the history of race and settler colonialism in Australia, and Indigenous studies and decolonial thinking. Students will also be introduced to contemporary expressions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and identities. This is a transformative unit that provides students with skills and knowledge to be agents of change in their communities and the world at large.

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: Comprehend settler colonialism and race and racism in an Australian context
  • ULO2: Discuss the social, cultural and political issues that drive Indigenous activism
  • ULO3: Explain contemporary Indigenous identities and cultures.
  • ULO4: Examine colonial constructions of race and gender
  • 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. 

 

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.

 

For more information please refer to the Terminology Guide available in iLearn.

 

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
Lecture Quiz 30% No Week 3, Week 6, Week 9, Week 12
Major Essay 40% No 8 Nov 2021
Major Quiz 30% No 15 Nov 2021

Lecture Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 3, Week 6, Week 9, Week 12
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will be required to complete a total of four Quizzes based on lecture content. Details will be provided on the iLearn site.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Discuss the social, cultural and political issues that drive Indigenous activism
  • Explain contemporary Indigenous identities and cultures.
  • Examine colonial constructions of race and gender
  • Explore societal misconceptions, ideas, attitudes and assumptions about Indigenous Australia.

Major Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 8 Nov 2021
Weighting: 40%

 

Students will write a 1500 word essay. Details will be provided on the iLearn site

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Comprehend settler colonialism and race and racism in an Australian context
  • Discuss the social, cultural and political issues that drive Indigenous activism
  • Explain contemporary Indigenous identities and cultures.
  • Examine colonial constructions of race and gender
  • Explore societal misconceptions, ideas, attitudes and assumptions about Indigenous Australia.

Major Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 15 Nov 2021
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will need to answer 20 questions and have 1 hour to complete the quiz. Details will be provided on the iLearn site.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Comprehend settler colonialism and race and racism in an Australian context
  • Discuss the social, cultural and political issues that drive Indigenous activism
  • Explain contemporary Indigenous identities and cultures.
  • Examine colonial constructions of race and gender
  • 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

ABST1000 weekly material (weekly topic descriptions, weekly readings and weekly tutorial questions can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Students are required to watch online lectures via Echo online and respond to the weekly tutorial questions in online or face to face tutorials.  If you are unable to attend a tutorial please email your tutor and let them know about your situation, your tutor may decide to set you some work to catch up.

The library provides study skills support, at the beginning of the Week 2 lecture a library staff member will provide information about library resources available to you. 

PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g. internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement.

Please consult teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.


Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook