HIST 3069 - Contested Ground: Aborigines in Colonial Australia

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2022

A history of Aboriginal/European relations in colonial Australia, focusing especially on South Australia. The issues addressed will include land rights, Aboriginal responses to colonisation, frontier violence, government policy and administration, missions, Aboriginal engagement in the colonial economy, and European representations of Aboriginal people. As well as examining 'what happened', the course will also examine how aspects of this history have been remembered in regional communities, and within the national community. Special attention will be given to the development of research skills, especially the analysis of primary source materials, and students will be required to develop an original research project.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code HIST 3069
    Course Contested Ground: Aborigines in Colonial Australia
    Coordinating Unit Historical and Classical Studies
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible HIST 2080
    Assessment Participation 10%, Secondary Source essay 40%, Primary Source essay 50%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Robert Foster

    Course Coordinator:

    Associate Professor Robert Foster
    Ph: 8313 5616; Email: robert.foster@adelaide.edu.au

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate:


    1. An understanding of the nature of relations between Indigenous peoples and European settlers in colonial Australia.

    2. Locate, identify and analyse relevant primary and secondary sources in order to construct evidence-based arguments.

    3. Think independently and critically, using appropriate methodologies and technologies, to engage with historical
    problems.

    4. Communicate effectively, in a range of spoken and written formats, within the conventions of the discipline of history.

    5. Demonstrate a proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies both to communicate results and to communicate with others.

    6. Demonstrate the skills of an historian which are appropriate for performing a range of professional roles, undertaking leadership positions, and sustaining lifelong learning, including: information technology skills to manage data and to communicate, skills in collaborative and self-directed problem-solving, a habit of academic rigour, and sensitivity to intercultural and ethical issues.

    7. Show a sensitivity to the diversity of historical cultures and the ethical implications of historical enquiry within a global context.

    8. Demonstrate a critical, self-reflective approach to the study of history, based on respect and mutual responsibility.

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,2,3,4,5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2,3,6,8

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    4,5,7,8

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    4,6,7

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    6,7,8

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    1,6,7,8

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    2,3,6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    6,7,8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There is no set textbook for this course, but the following is highly recommended:

    Brock, P & Gara, T 2017, Colonialism and its aftermath: a history of Aboriginal South Australia, Wakefield Press, Mile End, South Australia.

    The MyUni page will provide an overview of tasks and recommended resources and the Course Reader will contain required readings.


    Recommended Resources
    The Barr Smith Library has a rich collection of books and journals relevant to the subject.
    Online Learning
    Lecture slides and lecture recordings will be available on MyUni. Other materials will be made available as needed as the
    course progresses.

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course comprises a mixture of online and face-to-face teaching.

    All Lectures will be recorded and made available through MyUni prior to the relevant tutorials.

    Tutorials will comprise face-to-face classes with an online tutorial for those who prefer it.

    Lectures begin in Week One and tutorials commence in Week Two.

    Lectures in this course fall into two streams:

    1. Lectures which provide a framework for understanding the broader issues canvassed in the course (rights to land, policy, frontier conflict, etc.), and will relate directly to the topics and readings discussed in the tutorials.

    2. Lectures which explore actual historical case studies. These are designed to ‘unpack’ different aspects of historical research and writing, and all of them relate to the themes explored in the course.

    Tutorials are designed to develop a range of skills.

    They will be a forum to discuss the historical issues and controversies canvassed in the course. They will give all students an opportunity to develop their skills in identifying and synthesising historical arguments, as well as honing their skills of primary sources analysis. They will also be an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between the discipline and the broader community and the ethical issues that need to be considered in the practice of history.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Formal contact hours: 36
    Preparatory activities for class: 12 hours
    Researching and writing asignments: 78 hours
    General reading and private study: 30 Hours

    Total: 156 hours

    Learning Activities Summary
    Lectures are designed to provide you with the necessary background and context for the issues covered in the course, especially
    in the tutorials.

    Key themes covered in tutorials include, but are not restricted to, the following:

    1. Aboriginal rights to land
    2. Aboriginal policy and administration
    3. Frontier conflict and the rule of law
    4. The colonial economy and Aboriginal labour
    5. Christianity and Aboriginal missions
    6. Anthropology and race theory

    Specific Course Requirements
    Seminar attendance and participation comprise a hurdle requirement for this course. In order to complete the course students will have had to have attended and participated in 80% of the seminars.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Tutorial Attendance and Participation: Hurdle Requirement
    Learning outcomes 1-8

    Quiz : 20%
    Learning outcome 1,2,3

    Review Essay: 35%
    Learning outcome: 1,2,3,4,6,7,8

    Primary Research Essay: 45%
    Learning outcome: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

    Assessment Related Requirements
    In order to achieve the learning outcomes it is essential to attend and participate in the seminars. For this reason, attendance and
    participation comprise hurdle requirements for this course. Students are required to attend 80% of the seminars. Frequent absences, other than those on (documented) medical or compassionate grounds, are unacceptable.

    No work will be accepted in lieu of seminar attendance and participation.
    Assessment Detail
    1. TUTORIAL ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION (Hurdle requirement)
    In order to achieve the learning outcomes it is essential to attend and participate in the seminars. For this reason, attendance and
    participation comprise hurdle requirements for this course. Students are required to attend 80% of the seminars. Frequent absences, other than those on (documented) medical or compassionate grounds, are unacceptable. No work will be accepted in lieu of seminar attendance and participation.

    2. QUIZ (20%)
    There will be a quiz designed to test your knowledge of the key historical events and concepts examined in this course. All questions will be drawn from lectures and tutorial readings.

    3. REVIEW ESSAY (35%)1,500 words
    An important characteristic of serious scholarly writing is a review of the literature related to the question you wish to explore. This essay stands alone, but can be regarded as preparation for the research Essay.

    4. RESEARCH ESSAY: (45%) 2,500 words
    Using mainly primary sources, write an essay on a topic of your choice on an aspect of Aboriginal/European relations in South Australia between the 1830s and the 1930s.
    Submission
    All assignments are to be submitted electronically through MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.