Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Politic Sc & Internat Studies
This course traces the political relationship between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous peoples of Australia as an instance of wider global relations among indigenous societies, colonial powers and contemporary national and international regimes and institutions. Students will gain an understanding of government policies and the responses to these practices by Indigenous peoples by critically evaluating the political frameworks and policy responses used to deal with Indigenous-settler relations. The course will consider - among other topics - land, citizenship and identity, self-determination, constitutional recognition, and the governance of Indigenous organisations.
Welcome to POLS2101 - Indigenous Politics and Policy!ﾠ The rhetoric of crisis tends to accompany how Indigenous affairs is talked about. Politicians and policy makers frequently make bold pronouncements only to have their "new approach"ﾠreworked in subsequent years before the same issues again come to the fore. The course will explore key themes and issues in Australian Indigenous policy and politics including Aboriginal deaths in custody, identity and citizenship, constitutional reform and Indigenous organisations as sites of political and policy engagement.ﾠThe course will provide you with knowledge and skills to begin to understand the theoretical and cultural perspectives that underpin Indigenous policy, and to undertake critical analysis of past and current policy approaches and prescriptions.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Completion of one first year POLS course, such as POLS1301 Introduction to Political Ideas or POLS1601 Power Politics and Society, is desirable but not essential for undertaking this course.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
2 unit POLS course
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
GT231
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Lindy Andren
Mr Lyndon Murphy
Tutor
Dr Lindy Andren
Mr Lyndon Murphy
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please Note:
Lectures: There will be twelve two-hour lectures starting in WEEK 1.ﾠ There are thirteen weeks in the semester but there will be no lectureﾠ in week 10 (public holiday). This is an opportunity for you to do independent study.ﾠ All lectures will be delivered on-campus and audio-recorded by the central UQ systems. Recordings will be availableﾠafter the lecture via Echo360 and made available on Blackboard.
Tutorials: There will be eight one-hourﾠ tutorials starting in WEEK 2.ﾠ There will be no tutorials in weeks 1, 4, 8, 10 and 13. This is time for you to focus on your assessment and independent study. All tutorials will be delivered on campus. They are not recorded. Tutorials are designed to deepen your engagement with the material and support your ability to learn through working with your peers. Components of a hurdle assessment will be undertaken in 5 of the 8 tutorials so it is to your advantage to attend as it is not possible to pass this course without passing this assessment.
Attendance and participation is central to effective learning in this course, as the course explores different ways of thinking and analysing than are usual in political science. Although lecture recordings will be made available, you are strongly encouraged to attend lectures and tutorials in person, as they provide the opportunity to ask questions,ﾠcritically reflect, learn through engagement, and make connections between ideas, readings and actions. ﾠ
Aims and outcomes
- To develop a critical understanding of the history and politics of Indigenous-Settler relations in Australia from first colonisation to the present.
- To trace the political relationship between Indigenous and Settler peoples of Australia as an instance of wider global relations among indigenous societies, colonial powers and contemporary national and international institutions.
- To critically evaluate, from a range of cultural and theoretical perspectives, the political frameworks and policy responses used to deal with Australian Indigenous-Settler relations.
- To develop and understanding of diverse, but not mutually incomprehensible or incompatible, worldviews and systems of political organisation in the Australian context.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply a critical understanding of the history and politics of Indigenous and settler relations up to the present day.
LO2.
To identify and critically evaluate the assumptions that drive policy frameworks and strategies.
LO3.
Apply the necessary tools and skills for critical analysis in reading, textual analysis and writing.
LO4.
Demonstrate that the recognition of and respect for cultural and social diversity is not just a matter of identifying racial categories or cultural practices, but also identifying and reflecting on the values and knowledge systems that inform them.
LO5.
Grasp and assess the range of arguments and perspectives articulated across the Australian political landscape in relation to issues impacting upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Short Paper Critiques (250 words each) | 30% 1,250 words |
18/03/2025 - 13/05/2025
submissions to be uploaded by 12pm (midday) of the Tuesday they are due |
| Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection |
Tutorial-based Scenario Work
|
40% 1,250 words, hurdle assessment |
23/05/2025 5:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Research Essay (2500 words) | 30% 2,500 words |
9/06/2025 1:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Short Paper Critiques (250 words each)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30% 1,250 words
- Due date
18/03/2025 - 13/05/2025
submissions to be uploaded by 12pm (midday) of the Tuesday they are due
Task description
During this course you will submit 5 x 250-word short paper critiques on specific texts that are available in the course reading list (access via the Library). A short paper critique (SPC) is a highly focussed analysis of a text that addresses its structural framing rather than its content. A short paper critique does not apply an external lens to explain or analyse the text. It is not interested in the usual aspects of critical analysis such as theoretical approach, methods, or data, etc. Instead, it uses the author's own words to reveal the frameworks that shape the argument and inform the conclusions or responses to it.
The ability to structurally critique is a key skill for thinking 'outside the box' and is necessary for critical engagement with Indigenous politics and policy. This task will assist you to develop your ability to identify the ideas, assumptions and beliefs informing the Indigenous-settler relationship and how these go on to inform the way policy is written and operates. This assessment develops the skills you will need to form your own argument and assess the literature you use to support it in the research essay. But learning how to structurally critique is not easy! In just 250 words it requires you to identify the author's framing of the tropic and their responses to it, and pick out the key phrases that demonstrate these frameworks. To do that means you must also become aware of your own ways of thinking about the topic. Because this is not easy there will be plenty of opportunity to practice before your first SPC is due, and the feedback you get for each paper will help you improve. The scenario work we do in tutorials will also assist you. It is therefore to your advantage to attend lectures and tutorials to give yourself the best opportunity to ask questions, practice and see a structural critique in action.
Each of these short papers is worth 6% for a total of 30%.
Submit each critique in Word format (not pdf) via Turnitin, by 12:00hrs (12 midday) on the Tuesday of weeks 4, 6, 8, 9 and 11.
You should structure your short paper critiques in the following way:
- at the top of the page note your full name and student number and identify the text using correct referencing (see POLSIS Essay Guide)
- in paragraph 1 identify the issue/topic and the core argument made by the author about it (125 words). Use their own words wherever possible.
- in paragraph 2 provide your critique of these arguments (125 words). Identify where in the text the frameworks of the author are visible and what this means for their understanding of and response to the issue/topic.
- total 250 words per critique
- write in full sentences (i.e., not in dot point form or abbreviated English)
You are not required to provide references. However, if you use the ideas or words of another author you must cite them appropriately in the text and include them in a reference list according to the School's Essay Guide.
NB: Academic integrity and plagiarism are crucial matters. You may use the Turnitin submission process to test your work for plagiarism if you wish.
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit each of your completed short paper critiques in Word format (not pdf) via Turnitin. Papers are due by 12:00hrs (12 midday) on the Tuesday of weeks 4, 6, 8, 9, 11.
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
If there are circumstances beyond your control that prevent you from submitting an assessment item by the due date, you can apply for an extension. You MUST do this BEFORE the due date. Extensions requests are made and handled centrally not via the course coordinator or lecturers. Acceptable reasons for an extension and the process for applying for an extension are available here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-extension?p+1#1. If you apply for an extension after the assessment due date, you must provide evidence of the reasons for the late request and explain what prevented you from applying before the due date. An application for an extension submitted after the assessment due date will be forwarded to the decision maker listed in the formal administrative grievances/appeals section of the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure (https://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.02-student-grievance-resolution#Procedures) for consideration. Extensions are not available for every piece of assessment. For assessments such as tutorial participation and scenario work you should refer to the detailed assessment task description and follow the advice provided, or contact the course coordinator directly.
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.
In this instance "maximum mark" relates to the marks available for each individual short paper critique (6 possible marks). This means that if you do not have an extension for your short paper critique, 0.6 marks will be deducted every calendar day for 7 days from 12 midday on the due date, at which point no marks will be awarded for this SPC.
Unless an extension is granted, penalties for late submission apply. Students are penalised 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item for every calendar day that an assessment item is late.
Marks will be deducted each day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point the submitted item will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is triggered from the time the submission is due.
Tutorial-based Scenario Work
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection
- Weight
- 40% 1,250 words, hurdle assessment
- Due date
23/05/2025 5:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Time limited.
Task description
The tutorial-based scenario work is designed to help you learn through doing in collaboration with your peers. In each of five tutorials (weeks 5, 6, 7, 9, 11) you will be presented with a novel stimuli. In small groups you will apply the structural critique presented in the lectures to assess the stimuli. Each group will complete a summary sheet (provided in class) for presentation to the wider tutorial group. Following each tutorial you will complete your own reflection on your engagement and learning in the tutorial. This need be no longer than 250 words and is not submitted. Over the five instances you will thus build up a record of your engagement and learning which will then form the basis of a reflective journal (1,250 words) that will be submitted. Submit this journal in Word format (not pdf) via Turnitin, by 17:00hrs (5pm) on the Friday of week 12.
The marks for this assessment are divided between your participation in the tutorials (15%, 3 possible marks per week) and your reflective journal (25%, 25 possible marks).
Attending and participating in tutorials is essential for completing this assessment. You must pass this assessment to pass the course. We understand that illness or other unavoidable matters can arise that prevent you from attending a specific tutorial. In this case you must contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible, with acceptable evidence (e.g., medical certificate) to arrange an alternative assessment for that week. Please refer to Extensions and Deferrals for more information about what constitutes acceptable reasons for non-attendance/missing due dates.
NB: Academic integrity and plagiarism are crucial matters. You may use the Turnitin submission process to test your work for plagiarism if you wish.
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Students must receive a pass in this assessment to pass this course. Students who do not receive a pass in this assessment task can only receive an overall grade of 3 or less for the course. Students who receive an overall score of 3 in the course are eligible to apply for a supplementary assessment (my.uq Supplementary Assessment). There are five tutorials where scenario work is undertaken (weeks 5, 6, 7, 9 and 11). The activities in these tutorials will form the basis of your journal. A percentage of the total marks for this assessment are assigned to attendance and participation in these tutorials (15% or 3 possible marks per week) and a percentage of the total marks are assigned to your journal submission (25% or 25 possible marks). If you have to miss one of these tutorials you MUST contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible with acceptable evidence (e.g., medical certificate) to arrange an alternative assessment for that week.Submission guidelines
Submit your completed reflective journal in Word format (not pdf) via Turnitin by 17:00hrs (5pm) on the Friday of week 12.
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
If there are circumstances beyond your control that prevent you from submitting an assessment item by the due date, you can apply for an extension. You MUST do this BEFORE the due date. Extensions requests are made and handled centrally not via the course coordinator or lecturers. Acceptable reasons for an extension and the process for applying for an extension are available here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-extension?p+1#1. If you apply for an extension after the assessment due date, you must provide evidence of the reasons for the late request and explain what prevented you from applying before the due date. An application for an extension submitted after the assessment due date will be forwarded to the decision maker listed in the formal administrative grievances/appeals section of the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure (https://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.02-student-grievance-resolution#Procedures) for consideration. Extensions are not available for every piece of assessment. For assessments such as tutorial participation and scenario work you should refer to the detailed assessment task description and follow the advice provided, or contact the course coordinator directly.
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.
In this instance "maximum mark" relates to the marks available for the journal item (25 possible marks). This means that if you do not have an extension 2.5 marks will be deducted every calendar day for 7 days from 17:00hrs (5pm) on the due date, at which point no marks will be awarded and you cannot pass this assessment item.
Unless an extension is granted, penalties for late submission apply. Students are penalised 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item for every calendar day that an assessment item is late.
Marks will be deducted each day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point the submitted item will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is triggered from the time the submission is due.
Research Essay (2500 words)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 30% 2,500 words
- Due date
9/06/2025 1:00 pm
Task description
Prepare a 2,500 word research essay in response to one of the topics which will be posted on Blackboard. The task requires you to read widely and engage closely and critically with your chosen topic. You should
a) state the topic you are engaging with
b) summarise (with evidence) how the topic is presented in the academic literature and/or public debate (e.g., news reports, social media, policy) and identify key issues raised/responses proposed
c) critically discuss the framing of the topic and the issues raised/responses proposed in the literature using the structural critique presented in class. This requires you to make an argument about this framing and the issues and responses proposed. That argument needs to be clearly stated and supported. You should show how you have applied the structural critique used in class to the literature and to your own argument, and use the literature to demonstrate the strength of your argument.
To ensure you are on track, remember to consult the marking criteria while preparing your essay, and to start early! If you have any questions, contact your tutor as early as possible to ensure you give yourself enough time to read and think and write.
All sources and citations must be adequately referenced. UQ takes plagiarism very seriously and incidents carry significant penalties. For guidance on preparing a reference list and on preferred referencing styles, consult the POLSIS Essay Guide. The reference list is not included in the total word count of the essay, but in-text references (e.g., Brown, 2019) are. Footnote references and brief footnotes are not included in the word count, but more substantive footnotes are.
The research essay is worth a total of 30% (30 possible marks).
Submit your essay in Word format (not pdf) via Turnitin, by 13:00 hrs on the Monday of Exam Week 1 (9 June 2025).
NB: Academic integrity and plagiarism are crucial matters. Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit your essay in Word format (not pdf) via Turnitin, by 13:00hrs on the Monday of Exam Week 1 (9 June 2025).
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
If there are circumstances beyond your control that prevent you from submitting an assessment item by the due date, you can apply for an extension. You MUST do this BEFORE the due date. Extensions requests are made and handled centrally not via the course coordinator or lecturers. Acceptable reasons for an extension and the process for applying for an extension are available here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-extension?p+1#1. If you apply for an extension after the assessment due date, you must provide evidence of the reasons for the late request and explain what prevented you from applying before the due date. An application for an extension submitted after the assessment due date will be forwarded to the decision maker listed in the formal administrative grievances/appeals section of the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure (https://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.02-student-grievance-resolution#Procedures) for consideration. Extensions are not available for every piece of assessment. For assessments such as tutorial participation and scenario work you should refer to the detailed assessment task description and follow the advice provided, or contact the course coordinator directly.
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.
In this instance "maximum mark" relates to the total marks available for the essay assessment (30 possible marks). This means that if you do not have an extension for your essay, 3 marks will be deducted every calendar day for 7 days from 09:00hrs on the due date, at which point no marks will be awarded and you cannot pass this assessment item.
Unless an extension is granted, penalties for late submission apply. Students are penalised 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item for every calendar day that an assessment item is late.
Marks will be deducted each day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point the submitted item will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is triggered from the time the submission is due.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student does notﾠaddress the task/answer the question, shows no evidence of reading and minimal comprehension of the issues at hand. |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The studentﾠaddresses the task/answers the question poorly and showsﾠvery little evidence of reading. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student makes an effort to address the task/answer the question and employs some research which is correlated with the argument. Makes a visible effort to achieve adequate grammar, spelling and punctuation. Evidence of attempting to achieve a recognisable narrative flowﾠappears throughout the assignment. The studentﾠaddresses the task/answers the question and shows evidence of required research and a basic grasp of the issues at hand. However,ﾠfalls short of satisfying all basic requirements for a Pass. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student makes a reasonable effort to address the task, including providing evidence to support a visible argument, andﾠemploys an adequate research base do so. Achieves a reasonable, if not completely coherent standard of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. A recognisable narrative flow is sustained throughout. The studentﾠaddresses the task/answers the question and shows evidence of adequate research and a degree of understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student addresses the task/answers the question, provides suitable evidence to support an argument andﾠemploys a comprehensive research base that directly relates to the topic, though it may not completely support the argument. Achieves decent levels of competence in grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. The student addresses the task/answers the question in a direct, well supported fashion and shows evidence of some wide reading and a reasonable understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The studentﾠdemonstrates a very good grasp of the task/topic andﾠprovides a considerable amount of evidence to support a clearly stated argument. The studentﾠemploys a reasonably extensive and well-organised research base to structure evidence in support of the argument and achieves a high level of competence in grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. The studentﾠaddresses the task/answers the question in a direct, reasonably sophisticated fashion, employs wide research and shows a sound understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The studentﾠdemonstrates a highly sophisticated grasp of the task requirements/topic andﾠsucceeds in addressing the task/question by providing a high level of evidence to support a clearly stated argument. The studentﾠemploys an extensive and well organised research base to structure evidence in support of the argument andﾠachieves impeccable levels of grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. The studentﾠaddresses the task/answers the question in a direct and elegant fashion, employs significant research and shows a deep understanding of the issues at hand. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be awarded on the following basis:
1.ﾠFailﾠ 1 - 19%
2. Failﾠ 20 - 44%
3. Failﾠ 45 - 49%
4. Passﾠ 50 - 64 %
5. Creditﾠ 65 - 74 %
6. Distinctionﾠ 75 - 84 %
7. High Distinctionﾠ 85 - 100 %
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Due to the nature of this course, occasionally it may be beneficial to the learning outcomes of the students to alterﾠthe assessment. Should this situation arise, proposed changes will be made in consultationﾠwith all the enrolled students.
Word Length Penalty
Unless otherwise indicated, in the case of written submissions with a specified word count, you are given a +10% leeway on the upper word limit. For example, if the world limitﾠis 1,500 words, you may write up to 1,650 words before attracting a word count penalty.ﾠ If your written submission exceeds the additional limitﾠit will attract a 10%ﾠpenalty. For example, if the assessmentﾠis worth 40 marks, you will lose 4 marks from your allotted grade. Unless specified, penalties only apply to exceeding the word length, not for failure to write a sufficient amount.
Students should note:
• The Author-Date in-text referencing system (e.g., Bloggs, 2022) will count toward the word length
• The Footnote referencing system will not count toward the word length. However,ﾠany additional content included in footnotes beyond the specific text reference will count towards the word length.ﾠ
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
Additional supporting readings will be made available on Blackboard.ﾠ Please feel free to share your own finds on the Blackboard discussion page.
Current debates and developments in Indigenous politics and policy often appear in the following newspapers (or through their facebook or web pages):
Torres Newsﾠ(now closed with some of old the site remaining up; subscriptions available via http://www.regionalandremote.com.au/osub)
The National Indigenous Television channel (NITV) broadcasts programming primarily produced by Indigenous people, and can be found on free to air/SBS channel 34. NITV screens a range of relevant films and documentaries which are often available through SBS On Demand or UQ library databases.
The Indigenous Radio Station 98.9fm covers Indigenous news and current affairs:
http://www.989fm.com.au
twitter.com/989fmcountry
The following Journals and Magazines often discuss and analyse Indigenous politics and policy issues in further detail:
Arena
Australian Aboriginal Studies
Australian Journal of Political Science
Australian Journal of Politics and History
Critical Race and Whiteness Studies
Decolonisation: Indigeneity, Education and Society
Indigenous Law Bulletin
International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies
Journal of Australian Indigenous Studies
Journal of Global Indigenous Studies
Journal of Indigenous Policy
Oceania
Quadrant
The Monthly
(Note: most are available online and/or through the UQﾠLibrary)
Websites (Politics and Governance)
Australian Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Issues)
Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
Queensland Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
Federal Government Indigenous Portal ﾠ
Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) - providing information on the history, governance, and economic, social and cultural development of the Torres Strait region.
International Working Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA)
Cultural Survival (International Indigenous advocacy organisation)
Websites (Additional Information)
AIATSISﾠThe website of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), the world’s premier institution for information and research about the cultures and lifestyles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.ﾠ
First AustraliansﾠA documentary series that chronicles the birth of contemporary Australia from the perspective of its first people.
http://www.abc.net.au/indigenous/ﾠABC’s Indigenous portal – a site with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander news, radio and television stories as well as information on local heroes, arts and events, health and recipes, and education.
Indigenous Australia (information by the Australian Museum)
Indigenous Knowledge Centres (by the State Library of Queensland)
Movies and documentaries (a sample includes):
Australian Rules
Beneath Cloudsﾠ
Black and White
BranﾠNueﾠDaeﾠ
Dhakyiar vs the King
Invasion (Turtle Island/Canadian resistance)ﾠworking with othersﾠhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3R5Uy5O_Ds&feature=youtu.be
Maboﾠ– Life of an Island Man
One Night the Moon
Rabbit Proof Fence
Samson and Delilah
Ten Canoes
The Fringe Dwellers
The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith
The Tracker
YolnguﾠBoy
Novels/Literature
Here is a selection addressing Indigenous-Settler relations by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous authors:
Astley, T. (1997).ﾠThe multiple effects ofﾠrainshadow.ﾠRingwood, Vic., Penguin Books.
Behrendt, L. (2004).ﾠHome. St Lucia,ﾠQld., University of Queensland Press.
Craven, M. (1974).ﾠI heard the owl call my name. London,ﾠBodleyﾠHead.
Davison, L. (1994).ﾠThe white woman. St. Lucia,ﾠQld., University of Queensland Press.
Flanagan, R. (2008).ﾠWanting. Sydney, Knopf.
Grenville, K. (2005).ﾠThe secret river. Melbourne, Text Publishing.
Harper, K. (2001).ﾠGive me my father's body: The life ofﾠMinikﾠthe New York Eskimo. London, Profile Books.
Malouf, D. (1993).ﾠRemembering Babylon.ﾠMilsonsﾠPoint, N.S.W.,ﾠChattoﾠ& Windus/Random House Australia.
Miller, A. (2002).ﾠJourney to the stone country. Crows Nest, N.S.W., Allen & Unwin.
Miller, A. (2007).ﾠLandscape of farewell. Crows Nest, N.S.W., Allen & Unwin.
Morgan, S. (1987).ﾠMy place.ﾠFremantle,ﾠFremantleﾠArtsﾠCentreﾠPress.
Scott, K. (1999).ﾠBenang: from the heart. SouthﾠFremantle, W.A.,ﾠFremantleﾠArtsﾠCentreﾠPress.
Willmot, E. (1988).ﾠPemulwuy, The Rainbow Warrior, Bantam.
Wright, A. (1997).ﾠPlains of promise. St. Lucia,ﾠQld., University of Queensland Press.
Wright, A. (2006).ﾠCarpentaria.ﾠArtarmon, N.S.W.,ﾠGiramondo.
Wright, A. (2013)ﾠThe Swan Book,ﾠGiramondo
Essay Guide
The School of Political Science and International Studies Essay Guide can be downloaded from the School’s Student Support webpage.
The Guide sets out guidelines you should follow in preparing written assignments.
Essay Writing Assistance
The School of Political Science and International Studies schedules regular “drop-in” sessions designed to provide one-on-one advice and assistance in essay planning and writing.
There is no need to make an appointment and you are encouraged to bring your essay with you.
The day and time of these sessions will be finalized at the beginning of each semester and published on the Student Support webpage.
Student Services
Student services offer a variety of short courses during the semester which will help you improve your study, research and writing skills and thus your academic performance in this course.
Library Resources
UQ Library offers training in software, assignment writing, research skills, and publishing and research management.
The University’s library holdings for Political Science and International Studies are primarily located in the Central Library.
There is a help desk in the Library. Students are also welcome to contact the BEL/HASS Librarians for assistance.
Email: librarians@library.uq.edu.au
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
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Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 1: Course Introduction and Orientation Welcome, introduction and orientation to the course and approach to learning. This lecture will outline the differences you can expect in this course. |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 2: Worldviews Lecture and discussion on first encounters and conceptual frameworks. How has the Indigenous-settler relationship been constructed? How is our understanding of the relationship shaped? What are the implications of this for how we engage with one another, including how we think about and manage our relations? |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 1: Introduction to applying a structural critique Begin working with the structural critique introduced in lectures in preparation for scenario-based assessment and short paper critiques. |
|
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 3: Racialism Presentation on the experiences of an Aboriginal family in Queensland over the past 150 years, and implications of this experience for thinking about politics and policy. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 2: Practice short paper critique Attempt to write a short paper critique of a text provided. |
|
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 4: Towards Equality Lecture and discussion of the 1965 Freedom Ride and other actions calling for equality which saw the elevation of Indigenous issues to the national policy agenda. |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 5: Self-determination Lecture and discussion on the concept of self-determination. Where does this idea come from? How is self-determination understood? How has it been used in different contexts? |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 3: Scenario #1 This is the first of the tutorial-based activities that form part of your scenario work assessment. |
|
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
Week 6: RCIADIC (Royal Commission in Aboriginal Deaths in Custody) Lecture and discussion of the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, established in 1987. What was the process? How did it identify and approach the problem? What questions remain about the structure and utility of Royal Commissions in Indigenous Affairs? |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 4: Scenario #2 This is the second of the tutorial-based activities that form part of your scenario work assessment. |
|
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
Week 7: Explanations for Policy Failure Lecture and discussion on the way policy 'failure' is understood. What informs the identification, analysis and assessment of failure? How does this influence the 'solutions' proposed? |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 5: Scenario #3 This is the third of the tutorial-based activities that form part of your scenario work assessment. |
|
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
Week 8: Liberalism and Colonialism Lecture and discussion on the relationship of liberalism and colonialism. Where do these ideas come from? How do they shape contemporary Australia, including the structure and actions of government? How do they shape the way we think about politics, policy and our relations in this place? |
Mid-sem break (21 Apr - 27 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
MID-SEMESTER BREAK Please do schedule a rest this week! Enjoy time with friends or family, and doing things that refresh and revive you. |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
Week 9: Human Rights Lecture and discussion on the concept and practice of human rights. How is the concept 'human rights' understood and applied? Are human rights an effective mechanism for Indigenous people to address the impacts of colonisation? |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 6: Scenario #4 This is the fourth of the tutorial-based activities that form part of your scenario work assessment. |
|
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 10: NO LECTURE or TUTORIAL There is no lecture this week due to a public holiday on Monday. There are also no tutorials scheduled for this week. Use this time for your own independent study, particularly preparing for your research essay. The earlier you start the better your essay will be, as you will have sufficient time to read, think and write. We will be available if you wish to make an appointment to discuss your essay. |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Lecture |
Week 11: NTER/CTG (NT Emergency Response/Closing the Gap) Lecture and discussion of the 2007 Northern Territory Emergency Response ("the Intervention") and resulting Commonwealth Government strategic policy framework Closing the Gap, aimed at reducing the discrepancies between the lives of Indigenous and settler peoples in Australia as a whole. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 7: Scenario #5 This is the fifth, and final, tutorial-based activity as part of your scenario work assessment. |
|
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Lecture |
Week 12: Constitutional Recognition Lecture and discussion on the recognition of Indigenous people within the colonial state. What kinds of actions have been forwarded? How do these actions understand and respond to the Indigenous-settler relationship? |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 8: Reflection Reflection on and celebration of our learning in the course in preparation for the submission of your scenario journal. |
|
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Lecture |
Week 13: Affirming or Unsettling the Settler State? Reflection on the course. Where have we come to? Does Indigenous politics and policy exist beyond the settler state? How? |
Additional learning activity information
This course both addresses and engages different ways of knowing, doing and learning political relations than are usual in the study of political science. Students will achieve the best outcomes in this course by attending and participating in lectures and tutorials, which are designed to encourage learning together and from one another as we explore Indigenous-settler relations, politics and policy.
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.