85213 Representing Aboriginal People, History and Place

Over the last 20 years there has been notable growth in Aboriginal creation and control of their own cultural representations through various mediums (autobiography, life stories, documentary and feature films, poetry, painting, the media, music and dance). This subject analyses and compares Aboriginal people's representation in the public arena to develop an understanding of Aboriginal culture, cultural continuity and change, contemporary identity and Indigenous people's rights and aspirations in modern Australia. The subject draws upon a range of intellectual disciplines, including history, anthropology and cultural studies alongside emerging Indigenous knowledge systems to develop an understanding of Indigenous Australian perspectives and expression. Critical consideration of images and representations provides a framework for engaging with Indigenous issues. Underpinning this approach to studying representations of Aboriginal people are social theories that provide a broad understanding of the nature of racism in the reproduction of unequal power relations in society.

Typical availability

Spring semester, City campus