Overview
In this unit, you will explore traditional and contemporary performing arts practices of the Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander communities of Australia. You will consider how these arts fit into the Australian and international creative industries. You will examine case studies of Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander creative artists. You will reflect on the place of Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander art within contemporary Australian society.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2020
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator
Unless CQU can employ a culturally appropriate lecturer for this unit, it is imperative that the Unit Coordinator remains supported and able to engage artists of Aboriginal and Islander heritage to support this unit.
CQU must continue to ensure that delivery of this unit includes inviting guest artists of Aboriginal and/or Islander heritage to speak to this unit around their own arts practices and their cultural and community connections to country. These guest artists should both reflect the diversity of creative arts disciplines (Dance, Theatre, Music, F&TV, Visual Arts) and also the diversity of Australian First Nations peoples (Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander Australians).
- Describe the role of traditional Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander music, visual arts, and dance within Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander cultures
- Describe the role of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander art forms in the local, Australian, and international creative industries
- Discuss issues around branding, ownership and authenticity of Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander art forms.
N/A
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 50% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 50% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
p.connor@cqu.edu.au
Week 1 - Reflection of Indigenous History.
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2020Module/Topic
- Introduction and explanation of the Unit.
- Explanation of Assessment Tasks
- Introduction to cultural awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture for non-indigenous people.
- Reflection on Australia's "black" history, a shared future, and the role the arts can play.
Chapter
Readings:
- Dancing the triple Bottom Line.
- Mabo, Music & Culture.
- Bringing them home report (1997).
- From Little Things, Big Things Grow.
- Video Recording Week 1 (Reflection of Indigenous Australian history).
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Tutorial 1 (live presentation).
Week 2 - Artistic Origins.
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2020Module/Topic
- Origins of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, their roles within traditional culture.
- Discussion:
Thematic perspectives, both traditional and post colonial, that influence contemporary aspects of these art forms today. This will include subjects such as the antiquity, variety and regions of early art across this continent.
Contemporary themes that inspire artists to address themes of identity, political redress, connection to place and maintaining the presence of traditional culture within their art.
Chapter
Readings:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Economies Project.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts: An introduction.
- Video Recording Week 2 (Artistic Origins).
Events and Submissions/Topic
No Events or Submissions scheduled for this week.
Weeks 3 - Visual Arts
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2020Module/Topic
- An introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Visual Arts.
- Traditional uses of painting, drawings, sculpture, fibre arts, carvings, and functional use cultural objects.
Chapter
Reading:
- CIAF.
- Salon de Refuses.
- Video Recording Week 3 (Visual Arts).
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Tutorial 2 (live presentation).
Week 4 - Visual Arts
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2020Module/Topic
- Contemporary art forms include all of these, as well as street arts, fashion, architecture, interior design, jewelry, multi media and new media.
Chapter
Readings:
- Protest art: Art and politics for Indigenous Australian artists.
- Protocols for producing Indigenous Australian visual arts.
- Video Recording Week 4 (Visual Arts).
Events and Submissions/Topic
No Events or Submissions scheduled for this week.
Week 5 - Film, Television and Radio
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2020Module/Topic
- The presence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander characters and stories in the Australian film and television production industries.
(This subject area includes the early representation of Indigenous culture in predominately white production, to increased cultural ownership over the last few decades. This has led to original, authentic and award winning productions created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, both independently and in collaboration with non-indigenous artists.)
Chapter
Readings:
- Screening Indigenous Australia.
- Protocols for producing Indigenous Australian media arts.
- Video Recording Week 5 (Film, Television and Radio).
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Tutorial 3 (live presentation).
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2020Module/Topic
No classes scheduled for this week.
Chapter
No Readings allocated for this week.
Events and Submissions/Topic
No Events or Submissions scheduled for this week.
Weeks 6 - Dance and Theatre
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2020Module/Topic
- Dance as a key element of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.
- The role of dance in traditional ceremony.
Chapter
Readings:
- Dancing into Film.
- Presenting the Past.
- Video Recording Week 6 (Dance and Theatre).
Events and Submissions/Topic
No Events or Submissions scheduled for this week.
Week 7 - Dance and Theatre
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2020Module/Topic
- The emergence of contemporary Indigenous dance companies, choreographers, festivals and productions.
Chapter
Readings:
- Creating Pathways: A Dance Forum.
- Protocols for producing Indigenous Australian performing Arts.
- Video Recording Week 7 (Dance and Theatre).
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Tutorial 4 (live presentation).
Week 8 - Theatre and Comedy
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2020Module/Topic
- Theatre & Comedy: Australia
(Theatre & Comedy: Australia has a rich, though recent, history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander theatre. This week will look at Indigenous theatre companies, plays, playwrights, actors and directors. We will also look at the emergence of Indigenous comedy and its power of addressing social issues and celebrating contemporary Indigenous identity, both through live performance including cabaret, music theatre and stand up comedy, as well as television comedy.)
Chapter
Reading:
- Laughing with us.
- Performing for Aboriginal Life & Culture.
- Video Recording Week 8 (Theatre and Comedy).
Events and Submissions/Topic
No Events or Submissions scheduled for this week.
Week 9 - Presentation Assessment
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2020Module/Topic
This week's tutorial will be used to answer questions and offer feedback to students preparing to submit Assessment One.
Chapter
Readings:
- Music of the Torres Strait.
- A legacy of Hope.
- Video Recording Week 9 (Presentation Assessment and review).
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment One:
Presentation and Written Assignment (50%)
Written Assignment Due: Week 9 Friday (18 Sept 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 10 - Music
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2020Module/Topic
- Music: Traditional literary forms of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
(Traditional literary forms of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.were primarily through spoken word, memory and recital from generation to generation. This included story lines and song cycles through which identity and connection to country were retained in the collective knowledge of language group communities. Music was a strong element of traditional community identity. Traditional instruments, along with introduced western instruments and genres, make up the fusion of styles that continues to grow in contemporary Indigenous music and its contribution to the Australian music industry.)
Chapter
Reading:
- Music of the Torres Strait.
- A Legacy of Hope.
- Indigenous Music as a Space for Resistance
- Protocols for producing Indigenous Australian music.
- Video Recording Week 10 (Music).
Events and Submissions/Topic
No Events or Submissions scheduled for this week.
Week 11 - Promotion, Marketing, Intellectual Property.
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2020Module/Topic
- Promotion, Organisation and Marketing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts
- Protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage and Intellectual Property
(Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander art is highly valued and is supported and promoted through arts organisations, cultural festivals and arts fairs. At the same time, promotion of Indigenous art also requires considered respect and regard for protection of cultural heritage and intellectual property. This week's tutorial will be focused on these two sides of the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in Australian arts culture, both nationally and internationally.)
Chapter
Reading:
- After Nulla through the lens of Aboriginal Art.
- Codifying Culture.
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Tutorial 5 (live presentation).
Week 12 - Revision
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
No readings allocated for this week.
Events and Submissions/Topic
No Events or Submissions scheduled for this week.
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2020Module/Topic
No classes scheduled for this week.
Chapter
No Readings allocated for this week.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment Two: Written Assignment (50%)
Presentation and Written Assessment Due: Review/Exam Week Friday (16 Oct 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Topic: Select one of the forms of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Art covered within the course. In an essay format, discuss the following aspect areas in relation to your chosen form:
- What, if any, role did that form of art hold within traditional Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture, and what role does it hold today?
- What positioning, profile and relevance does that art form have within the local, Australian and International arts market place?
- What, if any, contribution to the contemporary Australian identity can/does that art form offer?
Task: The word limit for this assignment is 2500 words ±10%. The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Your submission must be in essay format with a standard Title Page and a Reference List. You should follow the requirements of the APA Style Guide 6th Edition. Use Times New Roman size 12 font, with 1.5 line spacing and justified paragraph alignment. You should include at least 5 references, only two of which can be web page retrievals.
Week 9 Friday (18 Sept 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Submissions to be uploaded to Moodle site for this Unit
Week 11 Friday (2 Oct 2020)
Grades and feedback will be made available to students via the Moodle site for this unit within two weeks from submission due date.
- Information/Data (25%)
- Structure (20%)
- Argument (25%)
- Support References (15%)
- Implementation of APA Style (15%)
This assessment is worth 50% of the total grade for this unit.
- Describe the role of traditional Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander music, visual arts, and dance within Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander cultures
- Describe the role of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander art forms in the local, Australian, and international creative industries
- Discuss issues around branding, ownership and authenticity of Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander art forms.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Presentation and Written Assessment
Topic:
Choose a particular Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artist in any one of the art forms covered so far in the course (visual art, theatre, comedy, dance, or film/TV), and discuss how the artist expresses her / his connection to culture through their arts practice.
Task:
You are to make a 7 - 10 minute presentation, using PowerPoint. You are to pre-record your spoken presentation over the slides as a PowerPoint Slideshow, able to be uploaded to Moodle by the due assessment date and time. CLICK HERE for a short PowerPoint presentation explaining how you can record your voice to the slideshow.
You are also required to submit a written essay of 1,000 words (+/-10%) that articulates and expands on your presentation. The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Your essay submission should include a standard Title Page and a Reference List. You should follow the requirements of the APA Style Guide 6th Edition. Use Times New Roman size 12 font, with 1.5 line spacing and justified paragraph alignment. You should include at least five references, only two of which can be web page retrievals.
Review/Exam Week Friday (16 Oct 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Submissions to be uploaded to Moodle site for this Unit.
Exam Week Friday (23 Oct 2020)
Grades and feedback will be made available to the student through the Moodle website of this unit.
-
Presentation
- Content (30%)
- Engagement level (10%)
- Fluency (10%)
- Written
- Data (20%)
- Structure (15%)
- Format (language, layout, citations, referencing, spelling) (15%)
This assessment is worth 50% of the total grade for this Unit.
- Describe the role of traditional Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander music, visual arts, and dance within Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander cultures
- Describe the role of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander art forms in the local, Australian, and international creative industries
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
