131-051 Aboriginal & Pacific Islander Histories

Formerly available as 131-253/353. Students who have completed 131-253 or 131-353 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually 25 points of first year history, indigenous studies or Australian studies, see Prerequisites.

The philosophy of this course is to approach the histories of Indigenous peoples in Australia and the western Pacific in relation to European and Australian colonialism by, and contact with, colonial settlers, traders and governments. The course will encourage thinking and writing that revolves around the nature of colonial contact between Europeans and Indigenous people in their own land, and the immediate and long-term consequences of these interactions. Spanning the early colonial period to the era of nuclear testing, formal independence and nominal postcolonialism, the course will focus on the historical nature and dynamics of colonial power relations; conflict and control; and resistance or survival and will approach these themes in the context of critically examining historical debates and arguments. It will consider particularly the nature, development and resilience of racial thought; the ways in which legislative control was exerted over Indigenous peoples by colonial powers; and the ways in which Indigenous peoples in Australia and the Pacific have responded to, and effected such aspects of colonisation as land dispossession and forced relocation and removal from land and families. Students will gain access to Indigenous perspectives as well as, and in relation to, non-Indigenous writing on the major issues and themes of colonisation in Australia and the Pacific.

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.

A 1500-word essay 30% (due mid-semester), a 2500-word essay 50% (due at the end of semester), a 500-word journal 10% (end of semester), tutorial presentation, attendance and class participation 10%.