Postcolonial and Indigenous Histories

Subject 131-471 (2009)

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

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: Total of 10 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in history, political science, sociology, or indigenous studies.
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

Prof Katherine Darian-Smith

Contact

Kate Darian-Smith

k.darian-smith@uimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This seminar critically examines the scholarly phenomenon of postcolonialism in relation to the recovery and writing of Indigenous and colonised histories, and the related political struggles of Indigenous peoples around the world. The seminar will be an introduction to debates within the body of postcolonial and Indigenous studies scholarship with a focus on measuring the significance and implications of colonial pasts on the practice, methodologies and theories of historical scholarship. Through case studies of postcolonial and Indigenous histories, the seminar will encourage students to think and write critically on the political implications for Indigenous and colonised peoples of current scholarly and historical debates.
Objectives:
  • understand or be familiar with the complexities of relations between Indigenous peoples and society and government;
  • show a critical awareness of the contemporary political significance of the colonial past, and an understanding of the shared and distinctive meanings of key issues in Indigenous politics and histories;
  • understand or be familiar with a comparative understanding of Australian Indigenous issues in the context of an international framework of Indigenous struggle.
Assessment: A 1500 word essay 30% (due mid- semester), a 3500 word essay 60% (due end of semester), presentation, seminar attendance and participation 10%.
Prescribed Texts:
A subject reader will be available at the beginning of semester
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • show an advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;
  • be able to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline;
  • have an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research.
Related Course(s): Master of Global Media Communication
Master of International Studies
Postgraduate Certificate in International Studies
Postgraduate Diploma in International Studies
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Australian Studies
Australian Studies
Cultural Studies
Cultural Studies
Cultural Studies
History
History
History
Sociology
Sociology
Sociology

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