131-471 Postcolonial and Indigenous Histories

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

This seminar critically examines the scholarly phenomenon of postcolonialism in relation to the recovery and writing of Indigenous and colonised histories, and the related political struggles of Indigenous peoples around the world. The seminar will be an introduction to debates within the body of post-colonial and Indigenous studies scholarship with a focus on measuring the significance and implications of colonial pasts on the practice, methodologies and theories of historical scholarship. Through case studies of postcolonial and Indigenous histories, the seminar will encourage students to think and write critically on the political implications for Indigenous and colonised peoples of current scholarly and historical debates.

• 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 1500 word essay 30% (due mid- semester), a 3500 word essay 60% (due end of semester), presentation, seminar attendance and participation 10%.