58227 Balancing World Views: Introduction to Aboriginal Cultures

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.

Handbook description

This subject explores Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples worldviews and draws upon a range of intellectual disciplines, Indigenous studies, history, anthropology, and sociology.

The aim of the subject is to establish a critical learning framework for appreciating different ways of knowing, being and doing as explored through a backdrop of colonial and current experiences in Australia and internationally. Indigenous and non-Indigenous worldview encounters provide opportunities to examine and comprehend these experiences.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:

1. reflect upon personal worldviews , analysing past assumptions, and expectations
2. articulate a comprehension of Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing
3. consider the impact of representation from different and unknowing cultural lenses
4. explore the relevance of International United Nations Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Contribution to course aims and graduate attributes

This subject makes a major contribution to the student’s ability to think analytically and reflectively, value social justice and to apply their knowledge and building appreciation of Indigenous peoples and their cultures.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject seeks to provide students with an appreciation that there are many ways of knowing, being and doing in the world . The subject and lecturers aim to create a learning space that is both safe and respectful of many truths.

The combined lecture-seminar format will incorporate a range of teaching and experiential learning strategies including case studies, role plays, structured small group discussion and student presentations.

This subject incorporates learning experiences that will facilitate student knowledge of the social theory field and how this can be advanced or challenged through its application to the area of Indigenous Australian critical studies. Students will be encouraged to develop practical skills in liaising with Aboriginal communities or organisations and participate in relevant professional, industry or community-based projects. This approach is consistent with UTS's commitment to practice-based learning.

Content

In this subject we will develop an understanding of the cultural, social and political life of Aboriginal people in NSW and the changing relationships and practices following colonisation. In doing this we will consider how particular disciplines (anthropology, sociology, politics and history) have documented and informed this process.

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Analysis of Key Texts

Assessment Item 2: Tutorial Presentation

Assessment Item 3: Journal Based Case Study

Minimum requirements

Attendance is important in this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach which involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor. An attendance roll will be taken at each class. Where possible, students should advise the tutor in a timely manner if they are unable to attend.

Students who fail to attend 85% of classes will be refused to have their final assessment item assessed (see Rule 3.8).

References

Altman, J. and Hinkson, M. (eds.) (2010) Culture Crisis: Anthropology and Politics in Aboriginal Australia. UNSW Press, Sydney.
Attwood, B. and Arnold, J. (eds.) (1992) Power, Knowledge and Aborigines. La Trobe University Press, Melbourne.
Attwood, B. and Markus, A. (2004) Thinking Black: William Cooper and the Australian Aborigines’ League. Aboriginal Studies Press, (AIASTIS), Canberra.
Battiste, M., Henderson, J.Y. (2000) Protecting Indigenous Knowledge and Heritage, Purich Publishing, Saskatchewan Canada.
Bowden, R. and Bill, B. (1990) ‘White Man Say we Have no History’ in Being Aboriginal: Comments, observations and stories from Aboriginal Australians. Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Crows Nest, NSW.
Bradford, C. (2001) Reading Race: Aboriginality in Australian Children’s Literature. Melbourne University Press, Melbourne.
Deloria, V. (1997) Red Earth: White Lies. Fulcrum Publishing, Golden, Colorado.
Denzin, N.K., Lincoln, Y.S., Smith, L.T (eds.) (2008) Handbook of Critical and Indigenous Methodologies. Sage, Thousand Oaks, California.
Edkins, J. and Zehfuss, M. (eds.) (2009) Global Politics: A New Introduction. Routledge, New York.
Gordon, M. (2001) Reconciliation: A Journey. UNSW Press, Sydney.
Gunstone, A. (2007) Unfinished Business: The Australian Formal Reconciliation Process. Australian Scholarly Publishing, North Melbourne
Hocking, B. A. (ed) (2005) Unfinished Constitutional Business? Rethinking Indigenous Self-determination. Aboriginal Studies Press (AIASIS), Canberra.
Ivison, D., Patton, P. and Sanders, W. (eds.) (2000) Political Theory and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Jentoft, S., Minde, H. and Nilsen, R. (eds.) (2003) Indigenous Peoples: Resource Management and Global Rights. Eburon Delft, Netherlands.
Martin, K., L. (2008) Please knock before you enter: Aboriginal regulation of Outsiders and implications for researchers. Post Pressed, Teneriffe.
McConchie, P. (Photographs and recording) (2003) Elders: Wisdom from Australia’s Indigenous Leaders. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.Moreton-Robinson, A. (ed.) (2004) Whitening Race. Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra.
Moreton-Robinson, A. (ed.) (2007) Sovereign Subjects: Indigenous Sovereignty Matters. Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest.
Morgan, S., Mia, T. and Kwaymullina, B. (eds.) (2008) Heartsick for Country: Stories of Love, Spirit and Creation. Fremantle Press, Fremantle, WA.
Purdie, N., Milgate, G., Bell, H.R. (eds.) (2011) Two Way Teaching and Learning: Toward culturally reflective and relevant education. Acer Press, Camberwell, Victoria
Ranzijn, R., McConnochie, K., Nolan, W.(2009) Psychology and Indigenous Australians: Foundations of Cultural Competence. Palgrave Macmillan, South Yarra, Vic.
Ross, A., Sherman, P.A., Snodgrass, J.G., Delcore, H.D., Sherman, R. (2011) Indigenous Peoples and the Collaborative Stewardship of Nature: Knowledge Binds and Institutional Conflicts. Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA.
Smith, L. T. (1999) Decolonizing Methodologies.Dundedin, University of Otago Press.
Simpson, L. and Ladner, K.L. (eds.) (2010) This is an honour song. Arbeiter Ring Publishing, Winnipeg.
Worby, G. and Rigney, L. (eds.) (2006) Sharing Spaces –Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Responses to Story, Country and Rights. API network, Curtin University of Technology, Perth.