Indigenous People, History and the Law

Subject 730-394 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008. Search for this in the current handbook Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2008.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 2-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: Estimated total time commitment of 144 hours.
Prerequisites: Legal Method and Reasoning; Principles of Public Law; Torts; Legal Theory or in each case their equivalents.Note: this subject is also available to arts students who have completed 25 points of first-year history.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Mr J Waugh/Assoc Professor D Philips
Subject Overview:

This history subject is a study of the relationship between indigenous Australians and the law brought to Australia by the British from 1788 onwards. Topics studied will include notions of sovereignty and the state; the position of indigenous people under the criminal law in early white settlement; property law, possession and use of the land; citizenship and political rights; land rights, native title and the courts; criminal law and customary law. In addition to relevant secondary accounts, students will examine primary materials, including court judgments, imperial and colonial enactments, indigenous statements and claims of rights. Students will have good opportunities for independent research into some of these materials.

Assessment: Research essay of 2500 words, 60% (due end of semester) and a document exercise/book review of 1500 words, 40% (due mid-semester).
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Information Not Available

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