191-538 Law, Race and Indigenous Peoples

This subject examines the historical underpinnings of the contemporary over-representation of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice systems of settler states (including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States of America). It introduces students to the history of Law's relation to Indigenous peoples and its responsiveness to colonialism from the fifteenth century. In particular, the subject explores connections between European notions of sovereignty, the idea of race and the historical experiences of Indigenous peoples, including the legal and criminological frameworks of dispossession and nation-building. This subject enables students to develop a critical appreciation of the historical, social, cultural, ethical and economic contexts of Law's relation to Indigenous peoples and to bring this knowledge to bear on current concerns, particularly in the Australian context.

• to demonstrate the capacity to think in theoretical terms;

• to demonstrate advanced skills in critical thinking and analysis;

• to demonstrate the capacity to apply theoretical and historical thinking to the analysis of contemporary social issues.

An essay of 3000 words due at the end of semester (70%). A 2000 word journal of critical annotations of set readings due at the end of semester (30%).

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop