CIB103 Indigenous Resistance, Revolutionaries and Rights


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:CIB103
Credit points:12
Assumed Knowledge:

None

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

In this university-wide elective, we will explore the diverse and profound ways that Indigenous peoples have engaged politically and intellectually with contemporary challenges to their standing as First Peoples. Taught through stories and a rights-based framework, this interdisciplinary unit will help you appreciate Indigenous thought and knowledges and enable you to apply these ideas to reimagine contemporary challenges and opportunities within our societies. We will introduce you to influential Indigenous thinkers and theorists from Queensland and explore their creative and intellectual contributions to public discourse, including their theorising on Indigenous sovereignty, self-determination, and feminism. We will then explore how the social construction of ‘race’ has impacted upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We will delve into anti-racist efforts and their local, national and global implications, highlighting their application to  contemporary issues.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Analyse the impact of Indigenous thinkers and theorists on Australian public discourse in relation to contemporary social issues.
  2. Critically reflect on how Indigenous thought and knowledges enable you to think differently about your own discipline or profession.
  3. Evaluate and creatively communicate how Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander anti-racist resistance methods can be applied to address contemporary challenges in our societies.

Content

“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” (Lilla Watson / Aboriginal activists group, Queensland, 1970s)

This unit will cover topics such as:

  • Forms of Indigenous Activism and social movements
  • Indigenous Feminist Theories
  • Sovereignty and Self-Determination
  • The historical construction and use of 'race' and its impact on Indigenous Peoples
  • Indigenous Rights and the development of a rights-based framework
  • Intersectionality: Race, Gender and Indigenous Identity

In part one, we will explore Indigenous theories, thinkers, philosophies, and intellectual traditions based in Queensland. Opportunities will be provided to reflect on how Indigenous thought and action have enabled different ways of viewing your own discipline more critically. Indigenous Knowledges will be made visible through the stories shared by Indigenous Thinkers and Theorists explored in this unit.

In part two, we will focus on human rights and the impact of the denial of rights on Indigenous peoples in Queensland. The United Nations Declaration of the Rights for Indigenous Peoples and the Uluru Statement from the Heart and will be referenced.

Learning Approaches

During weekly 2-hour workshops, we will engage in individual and collaborative activities that help you critically explore the meaning and impact of Indigenous thought and knowledges in our societies. Through formative activities, you will be encouraged to critically reflect on the ideas learnt during the unit and consider the implications these ideas have on your personal and professional lives.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Throughout the unit, you will be guided through critical self-reflection to evaluate the significance of the topics and concepts introduced in the unit. You will gain formative feedback from your teaching staff and peers through scaffolded workshop activities that are designed to support your learning. The teaching team will also provide you with informal and formal feedback on your assessment.

Assessment

Overview

In the three assessment tasks for this unit you will explore and reflect on Indigenous knowledges and the thinkers and theorists that amplified these ideas. You will also critically reflect on these ideas in relation to your professional and personal lives. You will communicate your analysis and reflections through an oral presentation, a portfolio and a creative artefact (e.g. media article, poster presentation etc.). Assessment for this unit is graded as satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

This assessment adopts an authentic approach to learning by situating your investigation within your chosen profession or discipline.

Unit Grading Scheme

S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Oral Presentation

You will prepare a 3-5 minute oral presentation about your chosen Indigenous Thinker/Theorist, analysing the impact of that person on Australian public discourse and relate it to your own discipline or profession.

Your presentation will be delivered during a date/tutorial allocated to you by the Unit Coordinator.

Weight: 10
Length: 3-5 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 5
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Assessment: Portfolio

You will choose a theme or concept amplified by an Indigenous Thinker/Theorist and create a portfolio (a collection of reflections and artefacts) that highlights how this theme helps you to reimagine your professional discipline and/or personal life and communities.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Length: 1000 words (or multimodal equivalent)
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 8
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Assessment: Creative artefact

You will produce a creative artefact of your choice, such as a media article, video or poster presentation, that examines a case study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander anti-racist resistance and analyses its relevance and application to a contemporary social issue.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 50
Length: 1500-word media article or 5-minute video (or multimodal equivalent)
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resources will be provided in Canvas.

Risk Assessment Statement

During this unit, you will discuss sensitive topics with your peers that may have significant impact and meaning to you, your peers and/or your teaching team. The teaching team will aim to create a supportive and safe environment for all students enrolled in the unit. They will also support you to develop the appropriate skills to engage in these conversations in an appropriate and respectful manner to ensure a positive experience for all students