Australian Indigenous Politics

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total of 170 hours

Politics and International Studies or Criminology or Sociology or Indigenous Studies at Level 1

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/

The subject studies Australian indigenous politics in the comparative context of settler societies. First, it explores their historical dispossession and exclusion that left Indigenous people as citizens without rights, and economically and socially marginalized in their own country. Second, it evaluates the ongoing processes of recognition and inclusion, including anti-discrimination measures, land rights, state and federal policy measures, social policy and Indigenous initiatives that have marked the uneven path to reconciliation and recognition of the full rights and entitlements of Indigenous people, including special group rights and compensation.

On completion of this subject students should:

• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and critical understanding of the complex political processes that produced the dispossession, and subsequent but incomplete, recognition of Indigenous people and their special entitlements and rights;

• Develop particular knowledge of the key issues, achievements, challenges, and failures in the troubled progress of Indigenous politics in Australia;

• Demonstrate an informed appreciation of comparative and historical contexts, and how Australia compares with other settler countries;

• Develop a deeper critical understanding of key political institutions, processes and policies by studying their effectiveness in dealing with Indigenous issues;

• Develop skills in critical analysis and evaluation;

• Develop the ability to critically evaluate different sources of research in the development of an argument;

• Work productively and collaboratively in groups.

An essay of 2000 words (45%) due during semester, an essay of 2000 words (45%) due in the examination period, and tutorial participation and contribution (10%).

Hurdle Requirement: This subject has a minimum Hurdle Requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of semester.

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.