CQUniversity Unit Profile
INDG40018 Indigenous Australians: The Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Indigenous Australians: The Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
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The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit not only provides students with a broad overview of the arts, humanities and social sciences, but it also assesses the valuable contribution made by Indigenous Australians to these fields of study. The unit is delivered in three modules, namely 'The Arts', 'The Humanities', and 'The Social Sciences'. Students will discover throughout the unit that these divisions are mainly for ease of unit delivery, and that there are often no clear distinctions between the arts and humanities, or between the humanities and the social sciences. The first module explores the Visual Arts, including painting and drawing, graphic arts and design, and film and photography; it then looks at the Creative Arts, which include dance, music, theatre, and writing. The second module, 'The Humanities', explores fields of study such as history, geography, cultural studies, languages, and literature studies. The final module examines social sciences, including psychology, sociology, law, philosophy, and social work. In each module, students will gain an understanding of traditional ways in which Indigenous Australians practiced the arts, humanities and social sciences; the impacts of colonisation and government policies on Indigenous cultures; and the contributions made by Indigenous Australians to the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Details

Career Level: Non-award
Unit Level: Not Applicable
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

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 3 - 2019

Mixed Mode

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).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Non-award 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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 25%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 25%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 25%
4. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 25%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 Student evaluation.

Feedback

Support for students throughout the term.

Recommendation

Maintain student engagement and support the cultural needs and obligations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Appraise the indistinct boundaries, or overlaps, between the arts and humanities, and between the humanities and social sciences.
  2. Analyse the historical and contemporary impacts of colonisation and government policies upon Indigenous Australian cultural activities, especially those associated with the arts, humanities and social sciences.
  3. Evaluate the contribution made by Indigenous Australians, both historical and contemporary, to the arts, humanities and social sciences.
  4. Identify the various fields of study that are associated with the arts, humanities and social sciences.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Written Assessment - 25%
2 - Written Assessment - 25%
3 - Written Assessment - 25%
4 - Online Quiz(zes) - 25%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Self Management
2 - Communication
3 - Information Literacy
4 - Information Technology Competence
5 - Problem Solving
6 - Critical Thinking
7 - Cross-Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical Practice
9 - 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
1 - Written Assessment - 25%
2 - Written Assessment - 25%
3 - Written Assessment - 25%
4 - Online Quiz(zes) - 25%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Vincent Skinner Unit Coordinator
r.skinner@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 11 Nov 2019

Module/Topic

Introduction to unit

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 18 Nov 2019

Module/Topic

The Arts - Visual arts and crafts

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 25 Nov 2019

Module/Topic

The Arts - Graphic art, film and photography

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Compulsory Residential School

25-29 November 2019, Building 7, CQUniversity, Bundaberg Campus

Week 4 Begin Date: 02 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

The Arts- Creative and performing arts

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 09 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

Non Teaching Week

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 16 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

The Humanities - History

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Written Assessment: Academic Essay Due: Week 5 Friday (20 Dec 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 6 Begin Date: 23 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

The Humanities - Languages

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 06 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

The Humanities - Philosophy

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 13 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

The Social Sciences - Geography

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Written Assessment: Academic Essay Due: Week 8 Friday (17 Jan 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 20 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

The Social Sciences - Psychology

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 27 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

The Social Sciences - Sociology and Social Work

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 11 Begin Date: 03 Feb 2020

Module/Topic

The Social Sciences - Political Studies/Political Science

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 10 Feb 2020

Module/Topic

Review of unit

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Written Assessment: Academic Essay Due: Week 12 Friday (14 Feb 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Feb 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Quizzes Due: Exam Week Thursday (20 Feb 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Term Specific Information

Unit Coordinator: Ross Skinner

Phone: (07) 4930 9251

Email: r.skinner@cqu.edu.au

Unit presentation

10-12 hours of study per week of self-directed study, student access to the Internet, email and residential schools are recommended for this unit, with the exception of those students in correctional centres. Students are expected to follow a self-directed study schedule which meets the required deadlines.

Residential School

Residential School is a requirement of this unit. One Residential School will be held during the term in week 3 (25-29 November). During this school, group work, lectures, tutorials, presentations and individual tuition will be held. Please also confirm your attendance by emailing tep@cqu.edu.au or telephoning Suellen Thomas on 1800 651 891. Travel will be organised through Centrelink, and not TEP. If you are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, it is important that you register with Centrelink/Abstudy at the earliest opportunity. Residential travel cannot be organised until the registration process has been completed. Please note that Abstudy needs 3 weeks’ notice of your intended travel. Abstudy will confirm your registration with us and then arrange travel for you. TEP will arrange your accommodation and meals. Abstudy will notify you of your travel details and so it is important that your contact details are up to date. Contact TEP urgently if something at the last moment prevents you from attending.

Unit Website

The unit website is offered through the learning management system, Moodle. You should find this website easy to use. Consequently, you will need access to the internet. If the learning management system Moodle is temporarily unavailable when you need to submit an assessment item, you can send your assessment by email to your Unit Coordinator.

Computer (including software) requirements

Access to a computer is necessary. If you can regularly get to a CQUniversity campus, you can use the computers there. If you cannot get to campus, it is best to have your own computer. You may also be able to use a computer at your local Queensland Open Learning Study Centre or your local library. Internet access is necessary so you can access the unit website. Microsoft Office software is preferred. Students in correctional centres do not require computer access.

Assessment Information

Assessments for this unit should be submitted electronically through Moodle. Students are required to keep back-up copies of all assessments. Please ensure that your assessment conforms to the applicable formatting guide. To submit electronically, the assessment should be saved in a format that is compatible with Microsoft Office and submitted via the Learning Management System (Moodle).

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment: Academic Essay

Task Description

Written Essay - 25% Choose ONE topic from the list below or negotiate an alternative topic with your Unit Coordinator, and write a 700-1000 word academic essay.

1. Through the use of Aboriginal Australian artwork, briefly explain the changes in Indigenous Australian art from pre-colonisation to the present. Students are encouraged to make use of images of photos of Aboriginal artwork throughout the assessment.

2. This assessment requires you to review a film with an Indigenous Australian theme. You may choose one of the films from the study guide for Week 3, or you may choose your own. Critically review the film by examining its effectiveness in demonstrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experience.

3. Research and write a short biography about an Indigenous Australian writer, dancer, musician or actor that you admire.

**Please note, you must base your biographical essay on only one of these choices.

Consider how passionate you may be about your topic and remember that you must write objectively and without emotion. You will need to research widely and reference accurately. You should include at least 4-6 sources in your reference list, but more is always better. However, credit will be given to students who use additional materials (photos or images etc.) which are correctly cited in the paper (using the Harvard system). Remember that this is an academic essay and so should be properly presented with a cover page, an introduction, the body of the essay (or the main discussion), a conclusion, and a reference list. Use 1.5 or double line spacing and a clear font such as Times New Roman 12 or Arial 11.


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Friday (20 Dec 2019) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Friday (10 Jan 2020)


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

Academic content

  • Demonstrates an understanding of the unit material relevant to the assessment task
  • Evidence of research
  • Demonstration of comprehension
  • Relevance to the topic

Writing skills

  • Logical organisation of ideas and arguments
  • Accuracy and fairness in representing the views discussed
  • Clarity of expression, avoidance of grammatical errors, correct use of words
  • Uses the academic essay structure to logically organise and present ideas and arguments
  • Meeting of the length requirements

Referencing skills

  • Use of authoritative academic sources
  • Acknowledgement of sources through correct in-text referencing and corresponding accurate reference list
  • Uses the Harvard style of referencing


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Appraise the indistinct boundaries, or overlaps, between the arts and humanities, and between the humanities and social sciences.
  • Analyse the historical and contemporary impacts of colonisation and government policies upon Indigenous Australian cultural activities, especially those associated with the arts, humanities and social sciences.
  • Evaluate the contribution made by Indigenous Australians, both historical and contemporary, to the arts, humanities and social sciences.
  • Identify the various fields of study that are associated with the arts, humanities and social sciences.


Graduate Attributes
  • Self Management
  • Information Literacy
  • Critical Thinking
  • Cross-Cultural Competence
  • Ethical Practice

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment: Academic Essay

Task Description

Choose ONE topic from the list below or negotiate an alternative topic with your Unit Coordinator, and write a 700-1000 word academic essay.

You will be expected to research your topic and reference accurately. You should include at least 4-6 sources in your reference list, but more is always better. Students are required to use the Harvard Style of referencing.

1. The anthropologist, WEH Stanner, observed that there has been what he called a 'Great Australian Silence' about the presence of Aborigines in our history - a kind of 'cult of forgetfulness'. Critically discuss this observation.

2. Choose an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language and discuss its historical context and its use (if used) in contemporary times. The language may be presently spoken, an endangered language, or an extinct language. You may wish to use examples of the language and explain how these translate into English. You may also wish to use an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community as an example.

3. What are the basic beliefs in Western philosophy and worldview? How do these differ from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander worldviews? Can these philosophies by reconciled?

Remember that this is an academic essay and so should be properly presented with a cover page, an introduction, the body of the essay (or the main discussion), a conclusion, and a reference list. Use 1.5 or double line spacing and a clear font such as Times New Roman 12 or Arial 11.


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Friday (17 Jan 2020) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Friday (31 Jan 2020)


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

Academic content
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the unit material relevant to the assessment task
  • Evidence of research
  • Demonstration of comprehension
  • Relevance to the topic
Writing skills
  • Logical organisation of ideas and arguments
  • Accuracy and fairness in representing the views discussed
  • Clarity of expression, avoidance of grammatical errors, correct use of words
  • Uses the academic essay structure to logically organise and present ideas and arguments
  • Meeting of the length requirements
Referencing skills
  • Use of authoritative academic sources
  • Acknowledgement of sources through correct in-text referencing and corresponding accurate reference list
  • Uses the Harvard style of referencing


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Appraise the indistinct boundaries, or overlaps, between the arts and humanities, and between the humanities and social sciences.
  • Analyse the historical and contemporary impacts of colonisation and government policies upon Indigenous Australian cultural activities, especially those associated with the arts, humanities and social sciences.
  • Evaluate the contribution made by Indigenous Australians, both historical and contemporary, to the arts, humanities and social sciences.
  • Identify the various fields of study that are associated with the arts, humanities and social sciences.


Graduate Attributes
  • Self Management
  • Information Literacy
  • Critical Thinking
  • Cross-Cultural Competence
  • Ethical Practice

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment: Academic Essay

Task Description

Choose ONE topic from the list below or negotiate an alternative topic with your Unit Coordinator, and write a 700-1000 word academic essay.

You will be expected to research your topic and reference accurately. You should include at least 4-6 sources in your reference list, but more is always better. Students are required to use the Harvard Style of referencing.

1. Choose a region to conduct a geographical study. You may choose to discuss either the physical geography of the region OR the social geography. You may choose to investigate the area of interest to you, such as Country, the region in which you now reside, or anywhere else. The choice is yours. Students are encouraged to supplement their essay with maps and/or diagrams if possible.

2. Discuss the rising numbers of Indigenous Australian psychologists in Australia, especially since the 1990s. How are Indigenous Australian psychologists able to fill the gap in mainstream psychology? You may wish to refer to the readings and timeline in your Moodle unit for Week 9.

3. Discuss the important role of social workers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Would greater numbers of Indigenous Australian social workers make a difference to the social disadvantages suffered by most Indigenous Australians? What is the relationship between Indigenous social workers and the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)?

4. Examine the political representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Australian politics. Students will need to examine the history of political activism for Indigenous Australians. An alternative choice for this topic is for students to write a brief biography of an Indigenous Australian politician.

Remember that this is an academic essay and so should be properly presented with a cover page, an introduction, the body of the essay (or the main discussion), a conclusion, and a reference list. Use 1.5 or double line spacing and a clear font such as Times New Roman 12 or Arial 11.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (14 Feb 2020) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (21 Feb 2020)


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

Academic content
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the unit material relevant to the assessment task
  • Evidence of research
  • Demonstration of comprehension
  • Relevance to the topic
Writing skills
  • Logical organisation of ideas and arguments
  • Accuracy and fairness in representing the views discussed
  • Clarity of expression, avoidance of grammatical errors, correct use of words
  • Uses the academic essay structure to logically organise and present ideas and arguments
  • Meeting of the length requirements
Referencing skills
  • Use of authoritative academic sources
  • Acknowledgement of sources through correct in-text referencing and corresponding accurate reference list
  • Uses the Harvard style of referencing


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Appraise the indistinct boundaries, or overlaps, between the arts and humanities, and between the humanities and social sciences.
  • Analyse the historical and contemporary impacts of colonisation and government policies upon Indigenous Australian cultural activities, especially those associated with the arts, humanities and social sciences.
  • Evaluate the contribution made by Indigenous Australians, both historical and contemporary, to the arts, humanities and social sciences.
  • Identify the various fields of study that are associated with the arts, humanities and social sciences.


Graduate Attributes
  • Self Management
  • Information Literacy
  • Critical Thinking
  • Cross-Cultural Competence
  • Ethical Practice

4 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quizzes

Task Description

The task associated with this assessment item is to complete the online quizzes during the term on the unit's Moodle website. These quizzes will be available in Weeks 4, 8 and 12, and each quiz will test the student's knowledge of unit material for the arts, humanities and social sciences respectively.

Each quiz will consist of fifteen(15) questions that are randomly selected from a question bank. Each quiz will be worth 8.33% of the total grade for the unit and the complete assessment of three quizzes will be worth 25% of the total grade. Although feedback will be given to students after each quiz, the final grade will not be shown until the end of term.

Points to note:

  • Students will be allowed two attempts at each quiz.
  • The attempt with the highest grade will be accepted for assessment.
  • There will be no time limit on quizzes.
  • Students are encouraged to refer to the unit materials in order to obtain as many correct answers as possible.
  • Students are encouraged to attempt every quiz to obtain the maximum number of marks.
  • If students have technical problems with the quiz, they should contact the Unit Coordinator or TASAC as soon as possible


Number of Quizzes

3


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Exam Week Thursday (20 Feb 2020) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (21 Feb 2020)


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

Students are marked according to number of correct responses for each quiz


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Appraise the indistinct boundaries, or overlaps, between the arts and humanities, and between the humanities and social sciences.
  • Analyse the historical and contemporary impacts of colonisation and government policies upon Indigenous Australian cultural activities, especially those associated with the arts, humanities and social sciences.
  • Evaluate the contribution made by Indigenous Australians, both historical and contemporary, to the arts, humanities and social sciences.
  • Identify the various fields of study that are associated with the arts, humanities and social sciences.


Graduate Attributes
  • Self Management
  • Communication
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Cross-Cultural Competence

Academic Integrity Statement

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?