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Language in Aboriginal Australia (LING20009)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1
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This subject develops an appreciation of the role of language in Aboriginal Australian societies, traditionally and today. On completion of the subject, students should have a general knowledge of the languages of Australia's First Nations, an understanding of the ways in which social and cultural factors affect language structure and use in Aboriginal Australia, and an appreciation of the complexities of Australian Aboriginal cultures and knowledges as they are reflected in their languages.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should:

  • have developed 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
  • be able to engage within debates and discussions regarding Australia’s indigenous languages and their position within broader Australian society;
  • be able to apply discipline specific research skills using primary and secondary sources and empirical data and develop an awareness of research ethics and intellectual integrity;
  • have honed their academic writing abilities;
  • have deepened their understanding of social and cultural diversity, particularly with respect to Australian indigenous communities.

Generic skills

At the completion of this subject, students should:

  • 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.

Last updated: 18 March 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

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: 18 March 2023

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Assignment 1: Problem-solving assignment

  • 750 words
During the teaching period20%

Assignment 2: Murrinhpatha language

  • 750 words
During the teaching period20%

Final essay

  • 2500 words
End of semester60%
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.Throughout the teaching periodN/A

Additional details

Note: 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.

Last updated: 18 March 2023

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    CoordinatorJohn Mansfield
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours34 hours: 2 x 1 hour lectures and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week. There will be no tutorials in the first and last week of semester.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period27 February 2023 to 28 May 2023
    Last self-enrol date10 March 2023
    Census date31 March 2023
    Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023
    Assessment period ends23 June 2023

    Semester 1 contact information

    Email: john.mansfield@unimelb.edu.au

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).
    - Completion rate. Students who started their course from 2022 and are in a CSP or receiving a HELP Loan (eg FEE-HELP) must meet the completion rate to continue to receive Commonwealth Support for that course.

Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement, and as a fail toward the completion rate, unless there are approved ‘special circumstances’.

Last updated: 18 March 2023

Further information

Last updated: 18 March 2023