Key Thinkers and Concepts

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total expected time commitment is 170 hours across the semester, including class time.

None

None

MULT10001 Australian Indigenous Studies or MULT10001 Aboriginalities

106-250 Key Thinkers and Concepts

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/

This subject will introduce students to key thinkers and concepts in Aboriginal governance, community and cultural activism, Aboriginal advancement, self-determination and social justice. Key Thinkers and Concepts will allow students who have completed the first year MULT10001 Aboriginalities to form a deeper and more profound understanding of the field of contemporary Australian Indigenous Studies. Intellectuals whose ideas may be studied include anthropologists WEH Stanner, Eric Michaels, Cultural Studies theorist Steven Muecke, Cultural Nationalists, Oodgeroo Noonuccal, Kevin Gilbert and Mudrooroo, Reconciliation and Social Justice thinkers Patrick and Mick Dodson, conservative thinkers Warren Mundine and Noel Pearson, and novelist and legal theorist Larissa Behrendt.

On completion of the subject students should have:

• a qualitative appreciation of the range and variety of Aboriginal and Settler perspectives on key issues affecting Aboriginal communities and the broader Australian community;
• the ability to make informed distinctions and carry out analyses of Aboriginal and Settler intellectual positions;
• be able to understand how these thinkers have influenced and continue to influence Australian intellectual, cultural and political discourses and policies;
• applied critical and analytical skills and methods to an independent research project, which provides a clear and comprehensive analysis of a key thinker or concept.

Tutorial participation and a 10-minute paper presentation, 10% (done throughout the semester), an essay of 1500 words 30% (due mid-semester), and an essay of 2500 words 60% (due in the examination period). This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance and regular tutorial participation. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available.

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

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• have a developed understanding of relevant critical theories and methods;
• be able to work effectively as an individual and member of class;
• be competent in the use of a wide range of research applications and resources;
• communicate complex ideas clearly and comprehensively;
• produce high quality written material in a timely manner.