Historicising the Colonial Mythscape

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

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

None

None

37.5 points of 2nd year subjects in Australian Indigenous Studies

106-316 Historicising the Colonial Past

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 explores colonial ‘mythscapes’, the discursive realms in which myths of nation are forged, constantly negotiated and reconstructed. It applies new historicist approaches to selected key events in Aboriginal Australia’s colonial history. Students will be introduced to historical, archival and cultural materials, and will engage with multi-modal texts spanning art, film and literature, speaking to themes of national amnesia, memory and memorials. Key events will include: colonial narratives and Aboriginal and Settler contact/conflict, Ellen Draper’s Old Cobraboor and The Myall Creek Massacre of 1868, the Contested Grounds of history writing, Kate Grenville’s The Secret River and frontier stories; epic pastoral narratives, pioneer myths and the age of the cattle empires.

On completion of the subject students should have:

• the ability to apply historicist reading and research methods to the understanding of key events impacting on Aboriginal communities;
• an understanding of the intersection of archival, political and literary documentation in disclosing new perspectives on key historical events;
• an appreciation of the importance of literary and other narratives in understanding key historical events.

Tutorial participation and a 10-minute paper presentation (done in class), 10%, 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 75% attendance and regular participation in tutorials. 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.

• That Deadmen Dance, K.Scott
• We of the Never Never dr. I Auzis

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 and make informed decisions about their use and application in relation to Indigenous subject matter;
• be able to work effectively as an individual and member of class in producing new learning outcomes;
• engage in high-level use of a wide range of research applications and resources and make informed decisions in respect to their usage;
• be able to engage in an informed and reasonable discussion of ideas and issues, including those involving sensitivities, that relate to Aboriginal and Settler communities;
• have the ability to produce high quality written material that encompasses the complexities and sensitivities of Australian Indigenous Studies.