131-471 Indigenous Politics and History

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in history, political science, sociology, or indigenous studies.

The seminar encourages students to place Australia's history of colonisation and Indigenous political struggle within the broader international context of colonisation, imperialism and neo-colonialism, and the struggles of the world's 300 million Indigenous peoples. With an ongoing focus on Australia, the course will draw on related and regional international sites of Indigenous struggle in its consideration of the history and politics of such key issues as land, sovereignty, identity and rights. The course aims to facilitate thinking and writing on Indigenous histories, politics and issues that is informed by international continuities, similarities and distinctiveness. Students will be expected by the end of the course to demonstrate an understanding of the shared and distinctive meanings of key issues in Indigenous politics and histories

• show an advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;

• be able to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline;

• have an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research.

A 3000 word essay 50% (due mid-semester), a 1500 word essay 30% (due at the end of semester), presentation of a 500 word seminar paper 10% (during the semester), seminar attendance and participation 10%.

A subject reader will be available.