Language in Aboriginal Australia

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total of 170 hours.

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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 develops an appreciation of the role of language in Aboriginal Australia, traditionally and today. On completion of the subject, students should have a general knowledge of the linguistic features which characterise Australian Aboriginal languages, including characteristics of grammar and pronunciation, and understand the ways in which social factors affect language structure and use in Aboriginal Australia.

Students who complete this subject will:

• Develop an appreciation of the role of language in Aboriginal Australia, traditionally and today
• Have a general knowledge of the linguistic features which characterise Australian languages, including phonological and grammatical characteristics
• Understand the ways in which social factors affect language structure and use in Aboriginal Australia
• Appreciate the complexities of Australian indigenous cultures, as they surface in their languages
• Engage within debates and discussions regarding Australia’s indigenous languages and their position within broader Australian society
• Broaden and apply discipline specific research skills using primary and secondary sources and empirical data and develop an awareness of research ethics and intellectual integrity
• Hone academic writing abilities
• Deepen their understanding of social and cultural diversity, particularly with respect to Australian indigenous communities

• Assignment 1: Problem-solving assignment, approx. 1000 words due during semester [25%]
• Assignment 2: Murrinhpatha language, approx 1000 words due during semester [25%]
• Final essay, approx. 2000 words due at the end of semester [50%]

This subject has the following hurdle requirements:

• Regular participation in tutorials is required with a minimum of 75% attendance.
• All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day and in-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Language and Culture in Aboriginal Australia (Walsh & Yallop) 2005

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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.

• be able to step outside their own language and culture.
• be able to articulate concepts important in other cultures.
• be able to imagine and get inside the mental world of other cultures.