This course is a practical introduction to an Indigenous Australian language. It is designed to develop basic speaking, listening, reading and writing skills at an introductory level, and to develop a knowledge and understanding of the relation between language, culture and society in the community of the speakers.

This course may be offered on campus or off-campus (location(s) to be advised for each offering), and delivered over the course of a semester or in intensive mode.  It may also be offered online. This course is available for cross-Institutional enrolment.  

Students will only be permitted to travel upon completion of ANU required documentation, including, where required,  the approval of all documentation by the relevant delegate.

Disclaimer: Applicants are advised that due to circumstances beyond the University's control (for example, specific community security concerns and health crises) it may not be possible for students to commence or complete this course. In such cases, an alternative lesson plan will be arranged to fulfil the course requirements. International students are asked to check the visa implications of taking the course as an online course.

Students may enrol in this course more than once. This course is repeatable for credit, up to a maximum of 36 units, and if repeated must be repeated with a different language (topic) each time.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. demonstrate a basic understanding of the grammar and lexicon of the Australian Indigenous language;
2. demonstrate communicative skills allowing them to ask questions, give directions and discuss some topics confidently in the Australian  Indigenous language;
3. read, understand, and write  short texts in an Australian Indigenous language; and
4. discuss linguistic, cultural and traditional practices specific to the community whose heritage includes the  Australian Indigenous language.

Required Resources

There is no required textbook for this course – all materials will be provided online.

Students must have Internet access and ability to browse and download from various sources. All materials are available through the online platform, including links to other sites and resources. Students may need to create user profiles in WordPress to access the content – this is separate to students’ own course access via Wattle or Learnline.

Students will need to be able to record and edit sound files to send as mp3 files for regular tasks. These can be done with basic equipment such as mobile phones. The free audio editing program Audacity is a very useful tool, available from  http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/ (with additional plug-ins to convert sound to mp3). Students may choose to record and send video files also.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

This course has been developed for on-line delivery in 2019 through Charles Darwin University (CDU) and the Australian National University (ANU), under the authority of the Bininj Kunwok Language Reference Committee (BKLRC). This course is a practical introduction to the life and language of an Indigenous Australian people group. It is designed to develop basic speaking, listening, reading and writing skills at an introductory level, and to recognise the importance of language to the community. An understanding of language will enable a richer appreciation of social and cultural practices, both traditional and contemporary.

 

This is the first time this course is offered, and takes an innovative approach. Your feedback is welcome as we negotiate how to offer this course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Aboriginal Languages	Forum post
2	Introduction to Bininj Kunwok	Forum post
3	Introducing yourself	Forum post Written task
4	Family matters	Forum post Oral task
5	Karrinahnarren (looking after each other)	Forum post Oral task
6	Manme (food)	Forum task
7	Time	Forum post Written task Oral task
8	Body and health	Forum post Online test
9	Land and nature	Forum post Written task
10	Art	Forum post Oral task
11	Music and song	Forum post Conversation
12	Summary/Revision	Forum post Online test 2

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Written tasks	15 %	29/05/2019	30/06/2019	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Online tests	20 %	29/05/2019	30/06/2019	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Oral language tasks	30 %	29/05/2019	30/06/2019	1, 2, 3, 4
Forum posts	10 %	29/05/2019	30/06/2019	5
Final written assignment	25 %	10/06/2019	30/06/2019	5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Learning any language requires continued sustained participation and practice. Online courses require time-management, regular online interactions and making the most of opportunities to engage with a lecturer/language speaker at intervals throughout the semester. Regular engagement with the course materials is essential.

Assessment Task 1

Written tasks

See "Class structure and content" and Wattle site for details including timing of the tasks and their return.

Value: 15%

Assessment Task 2

Online tests

See "Class structure and content" and Wattle site for details including timing of the tests and their return.

Value: 20%

Assessment Task 3

Oral language tasks

See "Class structure and content" and Wattle site for details including timing of the oral tasks and their return.

Value: 30%

Assessment Task 4

Forum posts

See "Class structure and content" and Wattle site for details including timing and topics for the forum posts.

Value: 10%

Assessment Task 5

Final written assignment

See Wattle site for details including topics for the final written assignment.

Value: 25%

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Students will be given feedback on all assignments via individual comments (written or oral) and general comments on forum.

Students are invited to give feedback to the course coordinator at any time throughout the course. As this is a new unit, student input is very valuable to contribution to ongoing improvements.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students