Course coordinator
Dr Stephen Bennetts
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Social Science School
A course that critically examines the work of anthropologists in relation to Australian Indigenous Peoples, cultures, and societies. Topics include kinship, cosmology, native title, land rights, colonisation, cultural diversity, ethnography, and anthropology's engagement in public policy.
In this course we reflect on the practice of anthropologists who conduct research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and consider what makes for ethical and responsible research.
To emphasise cultural diversity in IndigenousﾠAustralia, case examples in lectures and readings are drawn from many different areas of the continent and islands; taking in outback social realities as well as urban life and politics.
Students in ANTH2010 will read widely and in depth to gain a greater understanding of colonial and intercultural relations in Australia in the past and in the present. Generic and specific research skills gained in the course are transferable to social scientific studies of comparable settler colonialﾠsocieties internationally.
ESSENTIAL READING REQUIREMENT
All students are expected to examine the weekly readings listed before each workshop in order to engage with the issues. Students are particularly encouraged to read the original publications by anthropologists and responses by Indigenous scholars in order to fully engage in class discussions.ﾠ
NOTE: It is your responsibility to activate and check your UQ email account regularly. Important messages concerning assessment, tutorials, lectures or library resources will be communicated via email.ﾠPlease put ‘ANTH2010’ in the subject line of any email correspondence with the course coordinator. If you do not do this, the email may not be answered promptly or at all.
Course requirements
Assumed background
An interest in Indigenous Australian studies.ﾠ
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ANTH1010
Course contact
School enquiries
Student Enquiries School of Social Science
Level 3, Michie Building (09), St Lucia campus, The University of Queensland.
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm.
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Stephen Bennetts
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
- an understanding of anthropological methods and approaches to research with a particular focus on Indigenous Australian societies
- an understanding of the diversity of Indigenous Australian societies fromﾠa critical anthropological perspective
- an awareness of key methodological issuesﾠfor ethnographic research in Indigenous Australia
- development of critical view points on theoretical, historical, political, and ethical issues associated with social scientific research in Australia
- an awareness of ethical issues relating to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- gain core skills of literature research on topics relevant to the course
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of Indigenous societies in Australia by reference to examples
LO2.
Identify historical and social issues in relation to Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations in Australia
LO3.
Demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues relating to research in Indigenous Australia
LO4.
Identify anthropological approaches in relation to the representation of Indigenous peoples in ethnographic work
LO5.
Discuss and write critically about particular case studies, especially using the required readings
LO6.
Skilfully engage in academic research in the library and with electronic resources
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection | 750 word reflection | 30% |
16/08/2024 2:00 pm |
| Presentation | Presentation and written submission (750 words) | 30% |
Your written submission is due in the teaching week after your presentation, on Friday at 2 p.m. |
| Essay/ Critique | 1500 word review essay | 40% |
25/10/2024 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
750 word reflection
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
16/08/2024 2:00 pm
Task description
The first assessment is a short reflection focused on our in-class discussion in week 3 about anthropology and Indigenous Knowledge. It must be submitted via Turnitin (maximum 750 words, +/- 10%, excluding references), and presented in Times New Roman 12pt font, double line spacing, and include a title, your name, student number, and page numbers. Use APA7 style referencing.
To successfully complete this assignment make sure you:
1) Complete the following Week 3 set readings
· Langton, M. (2011). Anthropology, Politics and the Changing World of Aboriginal Australians. Anthropological Forum, 21(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/00664677.2011.549447
· Moreton-Robinson, A. (2011). The White Man’s Burden: Patriarchal White Epistemic Violence and Aboriginal Women’s Knowledges within the Academy. Australian Feminist Studies, 26(70), 413–431. https://doi.org/10.1080/08164649.2011.621175
· Moses, A. D. (2010). Time, indigeneity, and peoplehood: the postcolony in Australia. Postcolonial Studies, 13(1), 9–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/13688790903490850
2) Attend and participate in the Week 3 class discussion on anthropology and Indigenous Knowledge.
3) On the basis of the readings and class discussion, reflect on the following proposition: ‘Western knowledge cannot comprehend Indigenous culture and should not try to do so.’
4) Write a reflection (maximum 750 words, +/- 10%, excluding references), presenting a clear argument in response to the proposition and drawing on anthropological literature and Indigenous scholarship, as well as our in-class discussion.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
AI Use: This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
Turnitin links will be configured to permit early submission of assessment items. Students will have the opportunity to submit draft assignments to Turnitin prior to submission of the final assignment in order to review similarity index content and to improve academic writing practice in accordance with UQ Academic Integrity policies.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own. Please note that on the preview page, your assignment will be shown without formatting. Your assignment will retain formatting and your course coordinator/tutor will be able to see formatted assignments. Once you have submitted your assignment you are able to go back and view your submission with the correct formatting.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again. If you are unable to submit your assignment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension through your student portal on my.UQ.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS team via AskUs.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
An extension request without penalty will only be considered under exceptional circumstances as outlined on my.UQ. You must submit the extension request as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission due date.
A request for an extension to an assessment due date must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
Extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Extensions exceeding this duration or subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ) and Course Coordinator approval.
When you submit an extension request in the student portal, it is received, read, and actioned by the Social Science Student Administration Team. It does not go to the course coordinator.
Late applications (requests received after the assessment item submission due date) must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date.
In considering applications for extensions, students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible.
Late submissions of extension requests in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Work can NOT be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Presentation and written submission (750 words)
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
Your written submission is due in the teaching week after your presentation, on Friday at 2 p.m.
Task description
You are required to lead a workshop presentation about a key figure in Australian anthropology and their contribution to understanding Indigenous Australia. Your presentation MUST make reference to literature produced by Indigenous authors as part of a critical assessment of the anthropologist and their scholarship.
In addition to your presentation, you are required to submit a 750 word written submission discussing the anthropologist and their scholarship. In addition to contextualising their research with reference to other relevant anthropological literature, your written submission MUST make reference to literature produced by Indigenous authors as part of a critical assessment of the anthropologist and their scholarship. Some examples of Indigenous authors to consider are listed at the following link: https://www.aas.asn.au/first-nations-bibliography. Other Indigenous authors are included in the course readings, and you can find your own references via the UQ Library.
Topics will be allocated in week 2 of the course. Your options are:
* Spencer and Gillen and the concept of the Dreaming (week 4)
* Norman Tindale and the concept of the tribe (week 5)
* Phyllis Kaberry and gender in Indigenous Australia (week 6)
* Caroline Tennant-Kelly and the concept of culture (cultural survival/cultural change/culture loss (week 7 and 8, presentations in week 8)
* William Stanner and concept of self-determination (week 9)
* Diane Barwick and identity (week 10)
You should aim for a presentation using Powerpoint slides of approximately 15 minutes in length. You may co-present with a fellow student (or two), in which case you should each talk for approximately 15 minutes for a total of 30 minutes (for two speakers) or 45 minutes (for three speakers). You should also be prepared to answer questions about the topic of your presentation with a view to defending the critical perspective you present.
Your Powerpoint presentation should include visual material, an introductory slide with the topic and your name, and conclude with a slides that lists your references.
Your written reflection should be approximately 750 words (+/- 10%, excluding references). You should submit your written submission in the teaching week after your presentation, due Friday 2 p.m., with the final deadline for those presenting in Week 10 on Friday of Week 11 at 2 p.m. Note that if you present in the teaching week prior to mid-semester break, you would submit your written reflection in the following teaching week (i.e., not during mid-semester break).
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
AI Use: This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
Turnitin links will be configured to permit early submission of assessment items. Students will have the opportunity to submit draft assignments to Turnitin prior to submission of the final assignment in order to review similarity index content and to improve academic writing practice in accordance with UQ Academic Integrity policies.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own. Please note that on the preview page, your assignment will be shown without formatting. Your assignment will retain formatting and your course coordinator/tutor will be able to see formatted assignments. Once you have submitted your assignment you are able to go back and view your submission with the correct formatting.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again. If you are unable to submit your assignment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension through your student portal on my.UQ.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS team via AskUs.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
An extension request without penalty will only be considered under exceptional circumstances as outlined on my.UQ. You must submit the extension request as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission due date.
A request for an extension to an assessment due date must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
Extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Extensions exceeding this duration or subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ) and Course Coordinator approval.
When you submit an extension request in the student portal, it is received, read, and actioned by the Social Science Student Administration Team. It does not go to the course coordinator.
Late applications (requests received after the assessment item submission due date) must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date.
In considering applications for extensions, students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible.
Late submissions of extension requests in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Work can NOT be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
1500 word review essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
25/10/2024 2:00 pm
Task description
At the start of semester you will have chosen an ethnography to read from the list provided.
This assessment requires you to review the ethnography, and use two or more other anthropology references (such as articles, books, or book chapters), to help you write about key questions or arguments raised in the ethnography. Your review must describe the ethnography clearly, identify an argument, and be succinctly and clearly expressed.
Your review must:
1) Describe the ethnography’s content:
* Who is the anthropologist writing about?
* Where is their research located?
* When did they undertake the research?
* What methodologies did the anthropologist use to gather data?
2) Describe the book’s central argument:
*What has the anthropologist found out about the world?
* What have they considered most interesting about the society or culture they are studying?
* How do they explain or illustrate their key points?
3) Raise at least one point of critique in regard to the central argument, using other references to back up your opinion.
(Note that 'critique' does not mean that you necessarily have to disagree with the author. You may be in agreement with the author, but you must justify this in a way which clearly highlights the strengths or weaknesses of the ethnography. We do not wish to hear unsubstantiated judgements of how “good” or “bad” the book is, but rather a considered critique of the author's contribution to the issues they describe.)
Your review must be referenced in APA7 style and presented according to School of Social Science requirements: https://social-science.uq.edu.au/files/1725/EssayWritingGuide_SocSci.pdf
It must be presented in Times New Roman size 12 font, and double line spaced. It must include your name, student number, and a title at the top of the first page.
It should be no longer or shorter than 1500 words (+/- 10% including referencing, but not the reference list).
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
List of recommended ethnographies - choose one
Cowlishaw, G. 2008. Blackfellas, whitefellas and the hidden injuries of race. Carlton (Vic.): Blackwell Publishing.
Hinkson, M. 2021. See How We Roll: Enduring exile between desert and urban Australia. London and Durham: Duke University Press.
Musharbash, Y. 2008. Yuendumu everyday: contemporary life in remote Aboriginal Australia. Canberra: AIATSIS Press.
Vincent, E. 2017. 'Against Native Title': conflict and creativity in outback Australia. Canberra: AIATSIS Press.
Rose, D. B. 2024. Dreaming Ecology: nomadics and Indigenous ecological knowledge, Victoria River, Northern Australia. Canberra: ANU E Press.
Note: You must choose your ethnography by week 4 of the course and notify the course coordinator during class on 13 August and begin reading. You may choose an alternative ethnography in consultation with the course coordinator, however, if you do so, you must discuss your choice with the coordinator prior to selecting a different ethnography.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
AI Use: This assessment task evaluates student’s abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
Turnitin links will be configured to permit early submission of assessment items. Students will have the opportunity to submit draft assignments to Turnitin prior to submission of the final assignment in order to review similarity index content and to improve academic writing practice in accordance with UQ Academic Integrity policies.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own. Please note that on the preview page, your assignment will be shown without formatting. Your assignment will retain formatting and your course coordinator/tutor will be able to see formatted assignments. Once you have submitted your assignment you are able to go back and view your submission with the correct formatting.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again. If you are unable to submit your assignment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension through your student portal on my.UQ.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS team via AskUs.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
An extension request without penalty will only be considered under exceptional circumstances as outlined on my.UQ. You must submit the extension request as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission due date.
A request for an extension to an assessment due date must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
Extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Extensions exceeding this duration or subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ) and Course Coordinator approval.
When you submit an extension request in the student portal, it is received, read, and actioned by the Social Science Student Administration Team. It does not go to the course coordinator.
Late applications (requests received after the assessment item submission due date) must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date.
In considering applications for extensions, students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible.
Late submissions of extension requests in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Work can NOT be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Little or no review of material; very poor presentation and writing. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Little or no review material with no analysis; poor presentation and poorly written. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Falls short of satisfying all basic requirements for a Pass. Inadequate review of material, no analysis; poor presentation and poorly written. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Adequate review of material but no analysis; neatly presented but with some grammatical and typographical errors. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Good review of material with some evidence of critical analysis; well-presented and with few grammatical and typographical errors. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Excellent review and critical analysis of library and/or fieldwork material; well-presented and well-written. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Outstanding research and critical analysis of material with some evidence for original thinking; extremely well-presented and well-written. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Supplementary Assessment: Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements for an eligible course have been satisfied and that the graduate attributes for the course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ.
Additional assessment information
Academic Integrity: All students must complete the Academic Integrity Tutorial: https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/
UQ Assignment Writing Guide: Steps for writing assignments - my.UQ - University of Queensland
Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to students in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The Marks and feedback for the final assessment item are to only be made available to the student on Grade Release Day at the end of semester.
Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/academic-progress-and-final-results/querying-result.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
*Go to the ﾠUQ library (Duhig building)ﾠ and findﾠ DU120 on the shelf. This may be overwhelming – you will find that there is an amazing number of books published about Indigenous Australia by anthropologists (mostly) but also many others – but if you like to browse actual books then this is the place to find them.
*the research and publications section of the website of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies:ﾠ www.aiatsis.gov.au
*the research and publications section of the website of the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research : http://www.anu.edu.au/caepr/
* Anthropology Journal titles that deal with Australian content: (search within these Journal titles for articles linked to your essay topic)
Oceania
The Australian Journal of Anthropology (TAJA) (previously titled Mankind)
The Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology (previously titled Canberra Anthropology)
Anthropological Forum
Aboriginal History
Australian Aboriginal Studies Journal
Social Analysis
ﾠ
List of recommended ethnographies to review for your final essay (choose one). If you wish to review others not in this list please discuss and confirm with your course coordinator in Week 4.
Cowlishaw, G. 2008.ﾠBlackfellas, whitefellas and the hidden injuries of race.ﾠCarlton (Vic.): Blackwell Publishing.
Hinkson, M. 2021.ﾠSee How We Roll: Enduring exile between desert and urban Australia.ﾠLondon and Durham: Duke University Press.
Musharbash, Y. 2008.ﾠYuendumu Everyday: contemporary life in remote Aboriginal Australia.ﾠCanberra: Aboriginal Studies Press
Vincent, E. 2017.ﾠAgainst native title: conflict and creativity in outback Australia.ﾠCanberra: Aboriginal Studies Press.
Rose, D.B. 2024. Dreaming Ecologies: Nomadics and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge, Victoria River, Northern Australia. Canberra: ANU E Press.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Workshop |
Course Introduction In this introductory lecture, we begin to examine critically the role of anthropology in producing knowledge about and with Indigenous Australians and the intercultural relationships that define Australia. We will also introduce the course content, objectives, assessment, and expectations of students. To prepare for this class you are expected to read the set readings for this week, and choose an ethnography from the list in section 4.2. You will read this throughout the semester and write a review of it as one of your assessment tasks in this course. |
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Workshop |
Cultural Diversity across Indigenous Australia In this workshop, we examine cultural diversity among Indigenous Australians and consider differences in how Indigenous people have experienced colonisation and intercultural relations in Australia. We will also spend time this week getting to know each other and understanding the assessment requirements, as well as discussing your responses to week 1 and week 2's readings in relation to the history of colonisation and cultural diversity in Australia. NOTE: We will allocate topics for the presentation and written submission assessment during this week's workshop. If you cannot attend, you MUST make contact with the course coordinator who will assign you to a relevant week. |
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Workshop |
Critical Anthropology, Indigenous Knowledge, and the Lived Experience of Colonisation This week examines debates about anthropology and Indigenous Knowledge. We will consider: is it possible to understand other cultures, or are there aspects of other cultures that only insiders can comprehend? Specifically: can non-Indigenous people understand Indigenous culture?, or is Indigenous culture non-translatable, and capable of being understood only by Indigenous people? Is it perhaps the case that some aspects of culture can only be understood through lived experience? How does power, and privilege, relate to knowledge? While these are plainly philosophical questions, they are also political in colonial and post-colonial settings like Australia, particularly when we think about the discipline of anthropology and its changing relationship with Indigenous peoples. As part of this week's workshop we will consider these questions and debate various positions. Come to the workshop having read the set readings by Marcia Langton, A. Dirk Moses, and Aileen Moreton-Robinson. NOTE: Attendance is required as the first assessment asks you to reflect on aspects of the discussion in this workshop. |
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Workshop |
Spencer and Gillen and the concept of the Dreaming Baldwin Spencer and Frank Gillen's research with Arrernte people in Central Australia presented the first recognisably 'ethnographic' description of Aboriginal religion, including Arrernte beliefs in the Alcheringa, or Dreaming. This week focuses on the contemporary reception of Spencer and Gillen's work in the 1890s, 1900s, and 1910s, its significance for later studies, and modern critiques, including further research about Aboriginal religion. To prepare for this week, you should read the set readings. You are further encouraged to look at Spencer and Gillen's original publications. |
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Workshop |
Norman Tindale and the concept of the tribe The AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia is a colourful visual depiction of relationships between Aboriginal people and Country. Amongst other sources, this map draws on the research of Norman Tindale, an Australian anthropologist. This workshop considers Tindale's research focused on establishing the 'boundaries' of 'tribes' against the backdrop of later critiques of these concepts by anthropologists and Aboriginal scholars. You should prepare for this workshop by undertaking the set readings for this week. You are also encouraged to examine Tindale's original publications, particularly his 1974 map. |
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Workshop |
Phyllis Kaberry and the concept of gender Phyllis Kaberry conducted fieldwork in the Kimberley region of Western Australia in the 1930s. Her work documents Aboriginal women's experiences on the colonial frontier. This week will focus on Kaberry's work and later work by subsequent generations of feminist anthropologists, including feminist critiques of anthropology as well as Indigenous critiques of feminist anthropologists. Come to the workshop prepared to discuss the readings. You are particularly encouraged to read the original work of Phyllis Kaberry. |
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Workshop |
Caroline Tennant-Kelly and the concept of culture This workshop will introduce the work of Caroline Tennant-Kelly at Cherbourg in Southeast Queensland. We will visit the Fryer library to examine the Tennant-Kelly materials, and discuss how to interpret fieldnotes and draw on ethnography from the past. Come to the workshop prepared to discuss the readings. |
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Workshop |
Caroline Tennant-Kelly and culture (2) In this workshop, we will discuss Caroline Tennant-Kelly's work in relation to the concept of culture, particularly the notion of cultural survival, cultural change, and culture loss. What does Tennant-Kelly's work contribute to our understanding of these things? We will also engage with Indigenous perspectives on Caroline Tennant-Kelly's work. Come to the workshop prepared to discuss the readings. You are particularly encouraged to read Caroline Tennant-Kelly's original research. |
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Workshop |
William Stanner and self-determination This workshop will examine the work of William Stanner in relation to the first land rights case on the Gove Peninsula in Arnhem Land. We will particularly examine Stanner's work in relation to the concept of self-determination, memorably expressed by Stanner as the expectation that Aboriginal people must "cease to be themselves." We will specifically examine the role of anthropologists in supporting Indigenous self-determination, for example, in Aboriginal Land Rights claims and later native title. Come to the workshop prepared to discuss the readings. You are particularly encouraged to read original publications by Stanner as well as Indigenous responses to his work. |
Mid Sem break (23 Sep - 29 Sep) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-Semester Break |
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Workshop |
Diane Barwick and urban Aboriginal identity This workshop will examine Diane Barwick's research with Aboriginal people at Melbourne in Victoria in the 1960s and various responses by Indigenous scholars. We will specifically examine research in relation to urban-living Indigenous people. To prepare for the workshop, please read the set readings, including Barwick's original publications. |
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Workshop |
Contemporary Debates in Australian Anthropology This week focuses on contemporary debates in Australian anthropology to prepare for your final assessment. In this week's workshop, we will consider * Arguments over the representation of Indigenous culture; * Relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians; * The politics of suffering, helping anthropologists and cultural critique. To prepare for the workshop you should reflect the debates which your chosen ethnography addresses. You should also review the readings for this week to broaden your understanding of anthropological debates relating to Australia.To prepare for the workshop you should reflect the debates which your chosen ethnography addresses. You should also review the readings for this week to broaden your understanding of anthropological debates relating to Australia. |
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Workshop |
Final Assessment Preparation Check-In Week This week we will meet briefly to discuss any issues relating to your final assessment. Please attend with any questions for discussion. We would expect to break after 1 hour but can keep going if required. |
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Workshop |
Summary and Discussion of Anthropological Research This workshop will involve an interactive panel discussion with speakers working in the field of anthropology in Indigenous Australian contexts. Students must come to the class prepared to ask questions of the panel, using the AAS Code of Ethics, and the AIATSIS Guidelines, plus your knowledge from the course. Each student should have at least two questions ready to ask the panel of speakers about anthropology today, and some of the ethical, political, and intellectual issues they confront in their work. You should particularly seek to engage intellectually with the guest speakers by familiarising yourself with aspects of their work prior to the class. |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.