Students
LING2213 – Australia's Indigenous Languages
2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor, lecturer, tutor
Joe Blythe
Lecturer, tutor
Mitchell Browne
Undergraduate program director
Felicity Cox
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit aims to give students knowledge of the structure and use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages within contemporary settings, as well as prior to European colonization. Students will study several specific Aboriginal languages in depth, as well as gaining a general knowledge of the linguistic prehistory of Australia, kinship and social organisation, language and the land, multilingualism, language maintenance, language contact. Other topics to be covered include Aboriginal sign languages, Aboriginal song, Aboriginal conversation and narrative, language and the law, Aboriginal languages in Education and first language acquisition. Important ethical practices for conducting research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities will be a key focus throughout the unit. |
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: Demonstrate a knowledge of phonological and grammatical structures of one or two indigenous languages.
- ULO2: Analyse, evaluate and discuss the semantics of Australian Aboriginal kinship and social organisation.
- ULO3: Articulate their understanding of the context of language contact in Australia especially with respect to multilingualism, pidgins, creoles, mixed languages and varieties of Aboriginal English.
- ULO4: Describe and apply ethical considerations regarding working with Aboriginal people when conducting research into their language and cultural practices.
- ULO5: Effectively communicate to a range of audiences relevant topics such as language documentation and revitalisation, and linguistic diversity in indigenous Australia.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gija Lexicon and Grammar Analysis | 40% | No | Part A (Lexicon) in 21 Mar; Part B (Grammar) 18 Apr |
| Group Presentation | 15% | No | Week 8 |
| Group Evaluation of Language Resource | 45% | No | Week 13 |
Gija Lexicon and Grammar Analysis
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Part A (Lexicon) in 21 Mar; Part B (Grammar) 18 Apr
Weighting: 40%
Students will analyse lexical and grammatical problems relating to the Gija language, using the Gija Dictionary as a resource.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a knowledge of phonological and grammatical structures of one or two indigenous languages.
- Analyse, evaluate and discuss the semantics of Australian Aboriginal kinship and social organisation.
- Describe and apply ethical considerations regarding working with Aboriginal people when conducting research into their language and cultural practices.
- Effectively communicate to a range of audiences relevant topics such as language documentation and revitalisation, and linguistic diversity in indigenous Australia.
Group Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 15%
Group presentation on chosen/allocated language, drawing on an allocated reference (e.g., reference grammar or dictionary).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a knowledge of phonological and grammatical structures of one or two indigenous languages.
- Articulate their understanding of the context of language contact in Australia especially with respect to multilingualism, pidgins, creoles, mixed languages and varieties of Aboriginal English.
- Describe and apply ethical considerations regarding working with Aboriginal people when conducting research into their language and cultural practices.
- Effectively communicate to a range of audiences relevant topics such as language documentation and revitalisation, and linguistic diversity in indigenous Australia.
Group Evaluation of Language Resource
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 45%
Group Evaluation of the chosen/allocated reference (e.g., grammar or dictionary), where each student is responsible for evaluating particular aspects of the reference (e.g particular chapters).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a knowledge of phonological and grammatical structures of one or two indigenous languages.
- Articulate their understanding of the context of language contact in Australia especially with respect to multilingualism, pidgins, creoles, mixed languages and varieties of Aboriginal English.
- Describe and apply ethical considerations regarding working with Aboriginal people when conducting research into their language and cultural practices.
- Effectively communicate to a range of audiences relevant topics such as language documentation and revitalisation, and linguistic diversity in 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
There are three contact hours for this unit each week: two lectures and a tutorial. The Monday (12:00-1:00pm) lecture is in 01CC 101 and the Wednesday (2:00-3:00pm) lecture in in 04WR room 220. Please self-subscribe into one of the two tutorial groups via e-student. There are three tutorial groups: Monday 1:00-2:00pm in 01CC 101, Monday 2:00pm-3:00pm in 25WW A208 and Wednesday 1:00-2:pm in 14SCO 200. Lectures will be recorded but tutorials will NOT be recorded.
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Academic Success
Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
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.
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 19/02/2025 | One of the listed seminar rooms has now changed. This has been updated. |
Unit information based on version 2025.03 of the Handbook