ANTHROPOLOGY OF ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIA
ANT2ABA
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject we take an anthropological view of contemporary Aboriginal life in all its variety, but we also look at the relationship between the pre-colonial past and the post-colonial present in the forging of Aboriginal identities. Students gain an anthropological understanding of features of Aboriginal life which to an extent predate the European settlement of Australia, such as foraging economies, systems of kinship and marriage, and the culture of 'the Dreaming'. We also take an anthropological view of the impact of colonisation and how Aboriginal economy, society and culture have been transformed through relationships with non-Indigenous Australians. In particular, we consider how Aboriginal people have become increasingly conscious of themselves as a single people defined as an Indigenous minority in a settler nation. This subject would also suit students undertaking an International Development or Aboriginal studies minor.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Julie Andrews
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: ANT3ABA
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | An introduction to Aboriginal societies | Preliminary | Edwards, W 1988 | SOCIAL SCIENCE PRESS |
| Readings | Past and present: the construction of Aboriginality | Preliminary | Beckett, JR (ed.) | ANY EDN, ABORIGINAL STUDIES PRESS |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Apply ethical and cultural awareness to issues in Aboriginal Anthropology.
- Activities:
- The essays, class tests and the class and seminar discussion will give students ample opportunity to explore the ethical dimensions of Aboriginal anthropology.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
02. Evaluate diverse positions/arguments regarding a relevant topic in Aboriginal Anthropology.
- Activities:
- The class and seminar discussion will encourage debate around diverse positions and arguments, which will feed into writing essays and answering the class tests.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Writing(Writing)
03. Present a sustained written argument in Aboriginal Anthropology.
- Activities:
- The major essay will give 2nd year students the opportunity to present a sustained written argument.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Writing(Writing)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
04. Produce a well researched response to a relevant topic in Aboriginal Anthropology.
- Activities:
- The major essay will give 2nd year students the space in which to produce written research in line with this ILO.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Writing(Writing)
05. Summarise research and arguments on a relevant topic in Aboriginal Anthropology.
- Activities:
- The literature reviews and secondary source research for the major and minor essays and the semester review for the class tests will require students to summarise work on a relevant topic.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Writing(Writing)
Melbourne, 2019, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Julie Andrews
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
One 3.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| one 1,000-word minor essay | 25 | 01, 02 | |
| one 2,000-word major essay | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| three class tests (1,000-word equivalent in total) | 25 | 01, 02, 05 |