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Indigenous History (HIST20088)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Not available in 2024
Overview
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In 1968 Australian Anthropologist WEH Stanner pinpointed a profound silence about the relationship between settler Australians and Aboriginal people. He argued settler Australian people unconsciously refused to discuss with Aboriginal people historical matters of their history, their possession and dispossession of Country. The legacies of this silence and dispossession have been profound. Since Stanner’s famous call to awaken Aboriginal history in Australia, much work has been done to create new foundations of Aboriginal history which continue to emerge. These histories often cross disciplinary boundaries of the academy including history, anthropology, geography, philosophy, science and more. As historian Bain Attwood has commented, in Australia the telling of Aboriginal history clashes with political agendas and with people. The legitimacy of Australia’s nationhood is often embroiled in Indigenous historiographical debate, and depending on whose experience of history is heard, different stories emerge.
During weekly lectures students will discover Charles Perkins' oral history narrative recorded by historian Dr Peter Read AM for the writing of his book entitled, Charles Perkins: a biography. Students will be introduced to oral history methodology, the ethics, politics and historiography of Indigenous history making in Australia across deep time and in emerging spaces as they complete further readings throughout this subject, in conversation with Perkins’ biography. Key moments of Perkins' life will be explored such as his legacy of the Freedom Ride and associated narratives including for example, segregation, assimilation and discrimination, land rights, Aboriginal identity and belonging, Indigenous political voice, self-determination and more.
During tutorial sessions students will be asked to think critically and to engage in discussion of Indigenous historical narratives using multiple source material and oral history archival material.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Identify and explore Indigenous ways of knowing and history making in Australia
- Investigate key theoretical and political debate connected to the rise of Aboriginal history in Australia
- Investigate key theoretical and political debated connected to oral history methodology as a methodological discipline in history
- Identify, analyse and critically interpret oral history narratives and other sources across time that provide insight into Aboriginal history making
- Demonstrate skills of critical thinking and clear communication through class discussions and the preparation of written work for assessment.
Generic skills
- Display critical and analytical skills
- Be open to new ideas and perspectives
- Communicate effectively
- Manage time well.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
It is recommended students complete an introductory Indigenous Studies subject before engaging in this course.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Primary source analysis
| Mid semester | 25% |
Research essay
| During the examination period | 50% |
Tutorial presentation
| Throughout the teaching period | 25% |
Attendance Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2024
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024