Exploring Central Australia

Subject 670-308 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Fieldwork of six days/five nights in central Australia (at additional cost) plus 12 hours of seminars at the University. The fieldwork will be held over the mid-semester break
Total Time Commitment: 3 contact hours/week , 5.5 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: None
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

Contact

Kate Darian-Smith

k.darian-smith@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: Exploring Central Australia is an interdisciplinary subject designed to guide students towards a 'shaping' experience of Central Australia. It is a subject designed to prompt academic inquiry in the context of a first-hand encounter - an intensive field trip - with the environment and cultures of the region. We will be focusing on the contested histories and contemporary realities, with particular attention to issues of race and culture, in the town of Alice Springs, and also exploring the 'meanings' of Uluru for both the Anangu people and non-indigenous Australians. This subject is taught through a combination of seminars at the University and an intensive field trip (at additional cost) to Central Australia. Students will be exposed to a series of content-based discussions, readings, and first-hand experiences - including the opportunity to learn about Central Australia from its Aboriginal and non-indigenous inhabitants. They will be encouraged to produce research and writing that investigates issues, challenges stereotypes, and draws upon their fieldwork observations and interactions.
Objectives:
  • understand the complex meanings of place and culture in Autralia
  • appreciate the range of competing and complementary represenations of central Australia across a range of visual, filmic and written texts
  • comprehend the experiences of Aboriginal and non-indigenous Australians in central Australia, and the political, social and cultural implications of these experiences
  • demonstrate an ability to devise a topic and conduct research on the images and cultures of the Australian 'outback'
  • As a result of attendance at scheduled classes, participation in planned activities and discussion groups, and timely completion of essays and assignments, Arts graduates should acquire skills in the following areas
  • research: through competent use of the library and other information sources, and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research;
  • critical thinking and analysis: through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;
  • thinking in theoretical terms: through lectures, tutorial discussion, essay writing and engagement in the methodologies of the humanities and social sciences;
  • understanding of social, ethical and cultural context: through the contextualisation of judgments, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument
  • communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically: through essay writing and tutorial discussion; written communication: through essay preparation and writing; public speaking: through tutorial discussion and class presentations;
  • attention to detail: through essay preparation and writing, and examination revision; time management and planning: through managing and organizing workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion and examination revision;
  • team work: through joint projects and group projects.
  • communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically: through essay writing and tutorial discussion; written communication: through essay preparation and writing; public speaking: through tutorial discussion and class presentations;
  • attention to detail: through essay preparation and writing, and examination revision; time management and planning: through managing and organizing workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion and examination revision;
  • team work: through joint projects and group projects.
  • communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically: through essay writing and tutorial discussion; written communication: through essay preparation and writing; public speaking: through tutorial discussion and class presentations;
  • attention to detail: through essay preparation and writing, and examination revision; time management and planning: through managing and organizing workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion and examination revision;
  • team work: through joint projects and group projects.
  • communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically: through essay writing and tutorial discussion; written communication: through essay preparation and writing; public speaking: through tutorial discussion and class presentations;
  • attention to detail: through essay preparation and writing, and examination revision; time management and planning: through managing and organizing workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion and examination revision;
  • team work: through joint projects and group projects.
Assessment: Class presentation 10% (during the semester), a 1000 word writing exercise 30% (due before the mid-semester break), a 500-word essay proposition 10% (due before the semester break) and a 2500 word research essay 50% (due during examination period). Students must attend all the seminars and the field trip.
Prescribed Texts: A Subject Reader and other texts are provided to all enrolled students.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • Research: through competent use of the library and other information sources, and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research
  • Critical thinking and analysis: through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument
  • Thinking in theoretical terms: through lectures, tutorial discussion, essay writing and engagement in the methodologies of the humanities and social sciences
  • Understanding of social, ethical and cultural context: through the contextualisation of judgments, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument
  • Communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically: through essay writing and tutorial discussion
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Australian Indigenous Studies
Australian Indigenous Studies Major
Australian Studies
Australian Studies Major
History
History Major

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