IKC404 Critical Studies: Indigenous Australians and the Politics of Control (8)

This subject frames policy developments in Indigenous Australian affairs since first British contact and beyond from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian standpoints. It critically examines Indigenous Australian politics in relation to hegemonic political structures. Specific policy developments and legislative determinations are critically examined from Indigenous Australian perspectives and considered in light of Indigenous Australian pursuits of rights and self-determination. Students will examine the evolution of Indigenous Australian policy and analyse evident discourses. This subject explores the workings of policy implementation and how this impacts on the pursuit of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian interests. Students will be asked to examine and reflect on standpoint in relation to Australian policy.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
Online
Dubbo Campus
Session 2 (60)
Online
Dubbo Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: IKC404. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Indigenous Australian Studies

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to analyse the features and impact of historical and contemporary policy and legislation in Indigenous Australian affairs and critically evaluate the social, historical, and political discourses that informed them;
  • be able to reflexively analyse how Indigenous Australian issues are positioned by and within dominating political structures and social and cultural discourses in Australia;
  • be able to research and evaluate distributions of power in Indigenous policy development in relation to human service industries; and
  • be able to critically analyse and evaluate the benefits of political self-determination for Indigenous Australian peoples and how political structures can operate to disenfranchise non-dominant groups.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Indigenist Standpoint Theory, Critical Race Theory
  • Indigenous Australian political activism from 1788 to the present
  • Ideological, political, policy implications
  • Discourses informing State and Federal government approaches to Indigenous Affairs
  • Political inhibitors of Indigenous Australian self-determination and contemporary Indigenous Australian nation building
  • Indigenous self-determination through a rights based framework
  • Contemporary Indigenous Australian policy
  • Cultural competency in contested spaces: social, cultural, structural, and ideological issues in policy implementation

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of IKC404 in Session 2 2021. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Reflective journal
30
2
Research wiki
30
3
Contemporary indigenous policy research essay
40

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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