Textual Revelations

Subject AIND40005 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

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

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 1, Parkville - 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: 2
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Admission into the postgraduate diploma, postgraduate certificate or fourth year of Australian 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 Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Philip Morrissey

philipjm@unimelb.edu.au

Odette Kelada

okelada@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject is premised on the idea that certain key texts provide the means to gain insights and understanding of Aboriginal social realities and individual selves, in a manner qualitatively different to more empirically focused studies. Through deep and intensive readings, informed by appropriate theoretical perspectives, a selection of diverse Australian texts will be considered for the ways they meditate on the complex Australian past, produce visions for an Australian future and create deep intercultural connections.

Students will read Kim Scott's Benang, Alexis Wright's Carpentaria, Xavier Herbert's Capricornia, Archie Weller's The Land of the Golden Clouds, Thoman Keneally's The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, and B. Wongar's Raki.
Objectives:

Students who successful complete this subject will:

  • have the deep and nuanced reading skills to understand the complexity of Aboriginal being, philosophy and social reality as expressed through literature;
  • have the basis for making qualitative distinctions with respect to literary and truth value as it relates to texts addressing Australian Indigenous issues in a range of genres; and
  • have an understanding and respect for the authorial choices present in the novels as conditioned by social, political and racial imperatives.
Assessment: 5000 word essay (100%) due end of semester. Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. All required written work must be submitted in order to pass the subject.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookroom.

  • Scott, Kim. Benang
  • Wright, Alexis. Carpentaria
  • Herbert, Xavier. Capricornia
  • Weller, Archie. The Land of the Golden Clouds
  • Keneally, Thomas. The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith
  • Wongar, B. Raki
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • have a sophisticated understanding of the role of theory in Australian Indigenous Studies;
  • develop the ability to undertake high-level individual research;
  • gain a developed understanding of the ethical requirements of research in Australian Indigenous Studies; and
  • appreciate the enhanced intellectual outcomes of collegiality.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Australian Indigenous Studies
Australian Indigenous Studies

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