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Unit outline_

HSTY3807: Indigenous History

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

Indigenous peoples across the globe have long confronted the violence of colonialism. This advanced seminar will explore the complex historical realities of cultural autonomy, strategic negotiation, adaptation and everyday resistance in a particular time and place. It will equip you to approach research ethically and sensitively, considering multiple perspectives on a conflicted past.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit History
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in History
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Roberto Chauca Tapia, roberto.chauca@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Skills-based evaluation Primary source analysis: Early European impressions
Analysis of European sources on first interactions with Indigenous peoples
30% Week 05 Two hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Skills-based evaluation Primary source analysis: Indigenous vs European perspectives
Contrasting Indigenous and European historical sources.
30% Week 09 Two hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO3
Skills-based evaluation Primary source analysis: Visual and textual evidence
Correlating visual and textual sources on Indigenous peoples
30% Week 13 Two hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO3
Participation Participation
Participation, leading discussions
10% Weekly Weekly
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO5 LO4

Assessment summary

Regarding participation, students are expected to be present and prepared for each seminar session with questions and comments. Participation will also involve leading discussions in groups each session. In relation to the three skilled-based evaluations, students are expected to complete these assessments in class. They will have to demonstrate their ability to analyse, contrast, and correlate an array of primary sources read and discussed in the three seminar sessions prior to each skilled-based evaluation.

Assessment criteria

HD

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.

DI

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.

CR

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.

PS

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.

FA

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In the case of the skilled-based evaluations, which are to be completed in class, regular late submission policies start applying when the assessment is submitted after the conclusion of the seminar session. The late submission policies are: deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date and, 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 Introduction to the unit: What is ‘Indigenous’? Why Indigenous history? Why does it matter? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Indigenous History, Ethnohistory, and Archaeology Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 03 Indigenous History and Subaltern/Postcolonial Studies Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 04 Indigenous Peoples and the ‘New Conquest History’ Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Primary source analysis: Early European impressions Seminar (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Indigenous Religion Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Indigenous Cosmopolitans Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Indigenous Women Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Primary source analysis: Indigenous vs European perspectives Seminar (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Amazonian Indigenous Histories Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Indigenous Science and Knowledge Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Indigenous Cartographies and Territorialities Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Primary source analysis: Visual and textual evidence Seminar (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

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. Demonstrate a solid understanding of concepts and methodology to conduct research on Indigenous histories.
  • LO2. Evaluate the use of decolonial and critical perspectives to assess the Indigenous perspectives on Western imperialism in early modern times.
  • LO3. Identify the Indigenous methods of recording and memorialisation of their histories under European colonisation.
  • LO4. Articulate the social and political factors that shaped the life of Indigenous societies in early modern Latin America.
  • LO5. Analyse and critically interpret primary and secondary materials to better understand the transdisciplinary nature of early modern Indigenous sources.
  • LO6. Organise a research structure and method.
  • LO7. Demonstrate high-level oral and written communication skills.

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 is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

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

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