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Unit outline_

EDSE3112: Teaching Aboriginal Studies 2

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This is the second unit of study in a suite of sequential Aboriginal Studies curriculum units. In this unit, students will develop further skills in Aboriginal Studies pedagogy. They will consider critical, culturally responsive pedagogies in creating socially just teaching and learning spaces. This unit aims to prepare pre-service teachers for teaching Stage 6 Aboriginal Studies in NSW secondary schools. Through the development of teaching resources, assessment tasks and case studies students will develop strategies that analyse current socio-political issues in contemporary Australia with a focus on social justice and human rights and support them in becoming pro-active critical thinkers.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
96 credit points including EDSE3111
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Irene Wardle, irene.wardle@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Class Observations and Reflection
Critical reflections on lesson observations
30% Week 05
Due date: 30 Aug 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 13 Sep 2024
1350 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Assignment HSC Assessment Task
Design a HSC Assessment Task
30% Week 08
Due date: 20 Sep 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 04 Oct 2024
1350 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO4
Assignment group assignment Comparative case study: group task
Research two Indigenous communities
40% Week 10
Due date: 11 Oct 2024 at 23:59
1800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO4
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Comparative case study: In groups, you will research two Indigenous communities - one NSW and one international.
  • Design a HSC Assessment Task: You will design an assessment task for the HSC Stage 6 Aboriginal Studies Course.
  • Class observations and reflection: You will observe two stage 6 Aboriginal studies lessons to critically reflect on and articulate these experiences in order to enhance your understanding of the Aboriginal Studies teaching and learning space. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

  • Consistently strong and ongoing demonstration and evidence of superior organisational and conceptual skills. The work is extremely well conceived, coherent, logical, original and lucid as well as professionally prepared.
  • Impressive and original depth of understanding of the content and discipline is displayed. Information is gathered from a wide range of current & relevant sources beyond the core materials.
  • Convincing synthesis of evidence, critical analysis and understanding of multiple perspectives to formulate a coherent argument.
  • Critical assessment and analysis of the relationship between theory, research and practice. Possible insightful and/or original deployments of theory or theoretical concepts. Implications for personal and professional practice are carefully considered and explored. Work potentially worth dissemination and/or postgraduate study

Distinction

75 - 84

  • Consistently strong and ongoing demonstration of very good organisational and conceptual skills. The work is well conceived, coherent, logical and lucid as well as professionally prepared.
  • Thorough and comprehensive understanding of the content and/or discipline gathered from a wide range of current & relevant sources beyond the core materials.
  • Convincing synthesis of evidence, critical analysis and understanding of multiple perspectives to formulate a coherent argument.
  • Insightful critique or consideration of relationship between theory, research and practice. Personal / professional implications for practice considered.

Credit

65 - 74

  • Strong organizational & conceptual skills and evidence that the task is logical and coherent and professionally prepared.
  • Considers topics and issues in the broader disciplinary context. Evidence of having read current and relevant sources beyond the core materials.
  • Credible argument making relevant use of evidence, analysis and understanding. Able to apply concepts and draw and justify conclusions.
  • Critical or evaluative discussion/thinking about links between theory, research and practice.

Pass

50 - 64

  • Demonstrates task organization and conceptual understanding in a style which is mostly logical, coherent and flowing.
  • Clear understanding of topic. Demonstrates understanding of materials presented in core texts and readings.
  • Demonstrates some evidence of analytical and evaluative skills. Able to apply fundamental concepts and draw and justify conclusions.
  • Beginning to develop critical reflection and analysis of practice through theory and research. Relevant concepts etc applied in a generally appropriate and thoughtful way

Fail

0 - 49

  • When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.
  • Attempts are made to demonstrate a logical & coherent understanding of the assessment task but some aspects may be confused or undeveloped.
  • Limited understanding of topic with serious gaps or errors. Demonstrates little evidence of having read materials presented in core texts & readings.
  • Little or no evidence of analytical and evaluative skills. Fails to draw on fundamental concepts and to justify conclusions.
  • Very little or no consideration of the relationships between theory, research and practice.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Respect, Relationships and Reconciliation Stage 6 Syllabus & Resources Tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 02 Needs of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students in HSC Aboriginal Studies Scope and Sequencing Planning and Programming Tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 03 Ethical community Engagement National and international comparative case studies Tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 04 Applying consultation to planning, programming, assessment design • Planning & programming, • Researching content • Pedagogical approaches Tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 09 Applying consultation to planning, programming, assessment design • Planning & programming, • Researching content • Pedagogical approaches Tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 10 Assessment scheduling, designing tasks, setting criteria Tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 11 Representations of Aboriginal people Tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 12 Deficit Discourses; High Expectations Tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 13 Professional learning • Networking, accessing support. • Teacher accreditation Tutorial (4 hr)  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Organise Aboriginal studies discipline and curriculum knowledge into effective lesson plans, sequences, and assessments that take account of students’ varying learning styles and abilities.
  • LO2. Collect and evaluate teaching resources that account for the literacy and numeracy requirements in Aboriginal studies.
  • LO3. Design student-centred, inclusive, creative and challenging learning experiences that cater for students from a range of cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds.
  • LO4. Design student-centred, inclusive, creative and challenging learning experiences that cater for students from a range of cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds.
  • LO5. Demonstrate familiarity with current educational theories regarding Aboriginal studies including cross curriculum priorities.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit of study is improved each year in response to student feedback and our partner Aboriginal organisations.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.