Before exploring and researching Australian Indigenous culture, personal self-reflection is vital in understanding ourselves and how our own identity and or cultural perceptions may influence our ways of viewing and interpreting “others”. If we are going to communicate with people on a Global scale, it is important for us to access our cultural generalisations and stereotypical judgments. This first assignment will assist you in defining aspects of stereotypical perceptions relating to identity and culture. A stereotype is“...a fixed, over generalised belief about a particular group or class of people” (Cardwell, 1996), which can often lead to prejudice and/or racism. Cardwell, M. 1996. Dictionary of psychology Chicago IL: Fitzroy Dearborn.

In your first assignment, you need to identify through your own words, a written reflection on stereotypical cultural perceptions. Think of a heading that instantly expresses a stereotypical perspective based on race that you may have experienced or witnessed – such as “All African people have rhythm”. Then search for evidence that supports or argues against this assumption. In the second part of this minor essay, highlight the effects of such labelling. Ask yourself, how this stereotypical interpretation would affect me if I was categorised into this group. You are to debate your initial statement and provide evidence which supports your findings.  Although this essay consists of a personalised reflection, up to 3 key references should be included in your essay writings. NB: This assignment needs to be submitted on line through your Ilearn site.

In your first assignment, you need to identify through your own words, a written reflection on stereotypical cultural perceptions. Think of a heading that instantly expresses a stereotypical perspective based on race that you may have experienced or witnessed – such as “All African people have rhythm”. Then search for evidence that supports or argues against this assumption. In the second part of this minor essay, highlight the effects of such labelling. Ask yourself, how this stereotypical interpretation would affect me if I was categorised into this group. You are to debate your initial statement and provide evidence which supports your findings. Although this essay consists of a personalised reflection, up to 3 key references should be included in your essay writings. NB: This assignment needs to be submitted on line through your Ilearn site.

In your first tutorial session (week 2) you will be assigned a week in which to deliver your research class presentation. Your presentation will either be individual or a small group of not more than 2/3 - depending on the size of your tutorial group.   Students are expected to show creativity in their presentation, as well as a thorough understanding of the key issues in their assigned topic. Groups and individuals may choose from a wide range of presentation styles including:  role plays, PowerPoint presentations, creative performance, songs, poems, stories, film.

 As this is a research based presentation you must show evidence that you have used a minimum of 6 scholarly references.  Scholarly references include journal articles, books, book chapters, audio visual documentaries and some select websites.  Websites that are acceptable are those produced by official organisations such as AIATSIS (The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies).  Exclusive reliance on generalised non- websites is not considered effective research since research involves engagement with a variety of academically valid information sources.  You will be required to submit via Ilearn a typed reference list on the week your presentation is due. To avoid repetitious presentations, you tutor may require you to look another suggested area.

 Choose one of the following topics:

WEEK CONDUCTED

TOPIC LIST

TOPIC AREA

Week 3

Social Interpretations

·       Racism – causes and effects

·       Defining  Discrimination and its effects

Week 4

Reconciliation

·       Defining Reconciliation and civil rights

·       Have we moved forward?

Week 5

Indigenous Culture

·       Indigenous cultural identity

·       The importance of land to Indigenous people

Week 6

Life in Traditional Aboriginal Society and Culture

·       Life prior to colonisation

·       Rock art – is it art or is it cultural expression?

Week 7

Colonisation

·       Impact from introduced European diseases

·       Massacres of Indigenous peoples

Week 8

Stolen Generations

·       Aboriginal child removals review

·       Effects from child removals to individuals and communities

Week 9

Education

·       Teaching culture in schools

·       Challenges in rural and remote schooling

Week 10

Native Title and Land Rights

·       Terra Nullius – what did it mean?

·       The establishment of Native Title

·       Land Rights today

Week 11

Health

·       Inequities within Indigenous health

·       A case study of a prominent health issues amongst Indigenous populations

Week 12

Aboriginal creative or performing arts

·       Aboriginal contemporary art styles

·       Aboriginal music and/or dance

Week 13

Law and Criminal Justice System

·       High rates of Incarceration of Indigenous peoples

·       Aboriginal lore v’s Western laws

Other

·       Bush medicines

·       The Traditional Healer

·       Housing concerns

·       Indigenous mental and social health

·       Working with Aboriginal communities

·       Violence within Indigenous communities

 It is often presumed that the foundation of Indigenous cultural identity from pre-invasion would disappear from our contemporary consciousness.  This assignment has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to examine the validity of this presumption and to explore how Indigenous peoples today represent and maintain cultural identity.  This assignment will also provide you with an opportunity to engage with other modes of academic writing, beyond the standard essay structure.

 You are to choose one of the following Indigenous people in the table below and write a cultural profile that examines the life of that Indigenous person and investigate their contributions to both Indigenous identity and their general contribution to Australia. Choose one renowned Indigenous person/organisation from the list below:

NAME

PROFFESSION

Mick Dodson

Professor of Law

Miriam Corowa

Media personality

Leah Purcell

Playwright

Timana Taho

Rugby league footballer

Sally Morgan

Artist, writer

David Unaipon

Inventor, writer

Jessica Malboy

Singer, Dancer, Actor

Tracy Westerman

Psychologist

Anthony Mundine

Boxer

Stephen Page

Dancer, choreographer

Dave Johnston

Archaeologist

Aden Ridgeway

Senator, television presenter

Sir Douglas Nicholls

State Governor

Bonito Mabo

Land Rights campaigner

Ernie Dingo

Television personality

Pat O'Shane

NSW Magistrate

Chris Sarra

Education

Neville Bonner

Senator

 Research your chosen person and write a fully referenced 1,000 word cultural profile containing the following elements:

guidelines: 

1

Name, short biography and cultural background

2

Major achievements

3

Significance of their contribution to Indigenous Australia and to Australia as a nation

4

Explore how your chosen person/organisation represents and maintains contemporary Indigenous cultural identity

5

Personal discussion of your own thoughts, feelings and reactions about your chosen person/organisation

 You may choose to present your profile using separate headings or you may choose to blend your text to create a biographical story. You also have the option of including pictorial elements as well, but you must remember that any pictorial elements included in your work cannot be used to bulk out the size of your assignment – you must adhere to the set word count. Your discussion under each element should approximate ½ - ¾ of a page.  You are welcome to incorporate discussion of your own knowledge and understanding throughout your text, especially in your final conclusion.  You must, however, include throughout the text of your cultural profile evidence of your engagement with a minimum of 6 scholarly references.  This means that you must reference in-text and include a reference list. Keep in mind that there is a diverse range of information sources available on all of the persons and organisations on the list you have been given.  These include published books, magazine articles, newspaper articles, audio visual documentaries, news reels and websites.  Exclusive reliance on general non-academic websites will not be considered effective research since research involves engagement with a variety of academically valid information sources. Referencing style is of your own personal choice - guides available through the ABST100 Introduction to Australian Indigenous Studies Ilearn site for direction on how to reference correctly.  Please remember that your title page, pictorial elements and reference list are not to be included when you are working out your final word count.

In June 2007, the Australian Federal Government launched the Northern Territory Emergency Response, (also known as The Intervention) following a report regarding concern for Aboriginal children and sexual abuse. This report was called Ampe Akelyernemane Meke Makarle (Little Children are Sacred). The Government suspended the Racial Discrimination Act and Northern Territory anti-discrimination laws which prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race; the government claimed that it was necessary to override these human rights acts in order to protect Aboriginal children.

You are required to choose one enforced government policy and comment on its effectiveness in addressing the protection of Aboriginal children.  1000 - 1500 words.

1

Abolished of government-funded Community Development Employment Projects(CDEP)

2

Compulsory acquisition of land

3

Abolishment of permits to enter Aboriginal communities

4

Offering  an exchange of land for  basic services

5

Introduction of basic card

6

Quarantining of welfare payments

7

Compulsory health checks on all children

8

Bans on alcohol, gambling and pornography

You may decide to highlight “The Intervention” in brief terms in your introduction, and emphasis what area of government policy you will be investigating. In your investigations, highlight the importance of your chosen policy illustrate how this policy was enforced. It is important to locate information from both an Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal perspective to gain a greater understanding of how this policy was implemented and conveyed. Once you have sourced relevant information – discuss the effects on Aboriginal communities and Non Indigenous community workers for example - discuss community consultation and public awareness surrounding your chosen policy and identify key findings. Lastly discuss the outcomes, for example: was this policy successful in protecting Aboriginal children from sexual abuse, and is there a need for this policy to be continued?  It is appropriate to raise your own opinions, however you need to justify and support you claim through cited evidence.