21042 Australian Indigenous Studies Research Project

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Handbook description

This subject provides an opportunity for students to carry out a major project in Aboriginal studies under the supervision of a member of academic staff, either in groups or individually. Students negotiate the project through a learning contract.

Subject objectives/outcomes

Australian Indigenous Research Studies Project allows participants to negotiate an independent study project that will specifically focus on issues relating to Australian Indigenous community management and development, within the framework of Indigenous protocols and ethics.

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. negotiate an independent study project that specifically focuses on an issue relating to Australian Indigenous studies
2. demonstrate skills in producing an independent project contract
3. develop and extend on academic research skills with a specific focus on Australian Indigenous research protocols and ethics
4. demonstrate skills in collating, organising and analysing information
5. demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues relating to research, particularly in relation to developing projects and programs with Indigenous peoples and their communities and organisations.

Contribution to course aims and graduate attributes

Australian Indigenous Research Studies Project provides a foundation for working with Australian Indigenous communities in terms of ethics and protocols between the Australian Indigenous community and business, with reference to industry. This subject assists students to develop and review their understanding of Australian Indigenous culture and society in the context of ethics and cultural protocols.

The subject provides the theoretical and practical frameworks for students to integrate ethical understandings into community management and development contexts.

It is an important subject because career paths in the community sector often cross sectoral boundaries, that is, the first, second and third sectors, as well as cultural boundaries. By developing an understanding and knowledge of ethics and protocols in both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in terms of culture and society, the student is provided with an opportunity to acquire new knowledge and share current knowledge, with a view to extending this into the community management and development context.

Moreover, professional information does not address the specific issues faced by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of the Australian community, particularly as it relates to community management, and dealing with Indigenous communities and community organisations.

Students learn through a combination of database research sources, readings, lectures, workshop exercises, case studies and written assignments requiring them to apply concepts to their own work environment. Where appropriate, students are also expected to conduct their own research in order to complete set assessment tasks.

Teaching and learning strategies

Students learn through a combination of database research sources, readings, lectures, workshop exercises, case studies and written assignments requiring them to apply concepts to their own work environment. Where appropriate, students are also expected to conduct their own research in order to complete set assessment tasks.

Students will be encouraged to be active rather than passive learners. Each subject will feature three block sessions through the semester, which may include a selection of the following teaching and learning strategies:

• full lectures or mini lectures (possibly including guest speakers)
• large group discussion
• practical group exercises
• small group discussion
• student presentations (individual or group projects)
• workshops on specific practical skills
• role play.

Students are also required to maintain a regular reading schedule which may include a textbook, a prescribed set of readings and/or some selected key references. In some subjects there is also be an expectation that students pursue their own research in areas relevant to their assessment tasks.

Central to the teaching and learning philosophy of this subject is the integration of work-based learning through assessment tasks that require students to apply theory to practice and reflect on this process in the context of their own communities and community organisations.

Content

• Developing an independent research contract
• Introduction to conducting research and database research
• Sourcing information—online, library, archives
• Research ethics and protocols—dealing with interviewees, Australian Indigenous communities or organisations, and sensitive materials
• Writing research frameworks in terms of ethics and protocols
• Working on a collaborate level with and in Australian Indigenous communities and community organisational settings.

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Learning contract

Assessment Item 2: Research Ethics and Protocols document

Required texts

There is no set text for this subject.

References

AIATSIS (2003) Australian Aboriginal Studies Journal Canberra: Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. www.aiatsis.gov.au/rsrch/aas_jrn/journal.htm

AIATSIS (2000) Guidelines for ethical research in Indigenous studies Canberra: Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. www.aiatsis.gov.au/rsrch/index.htm

Anderson, G., Boud, D. and Sampson, J. (1996) Learning contracts. London: Kogan Page.