This course examines public policy through the lens of the relationships between First Nations Peoples and the settler state in Australia. The course will explore the shifting relations between First Nations Peoples and Commonwealth and State and Territory governments from invasion until today. It  traces settler state and Indigenous approaches to public policy. Students will analyse significant public policies which affect First Nations Peoples and gain insight into First Peoples diverse perspectives on these policies.

The course equips students to develop insight into how public policy affects First Nations Peoples differently. It investigates the public policy objectives of governments and how these relate to the rights and aspirations of First Nations Peoples. It introduces students to the competing interests and key agents that shape the development, implementation, and delivery of public policies that affect First Nations Peoples, including First Nations activism for policy change.

The course examines a number of contemporary case studies to illustrate a range of approaches to public policy. The course is delivered by First Nations and non-Indigenous experts in a range of public policy fields, including scholars, policy practitioners, and community knowledge holders.

Topics may include analysese of policy and perspectives in relation to: self-determination and sovereignty, Indigenous Voices to parliament and governments, shared decision making and Closing the Gap, First Nations Peoples – state relations, land and water management, climate change, economic development, Indigenous entrepreneurship, social security and employment,  and Indigenous prosperity.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. analyse and explain how public policy shapes the relationships between the Australian state and First Nations Peoples and populations;
2. compare and contrast different state and First Nations public policy principles;
3. critically assess public policies that affect First Nations Peoples in Australia using a range of analytical approaches; and
4. develop insight into the institutions involved in Indigenous public policy making in Australia

Research-Led Teaching

Francis Markham is an economic geographer and Research Fellow at the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research at the Australian National University. His research interests lie at the intersection of Indigenous public policy and Indigenous-state relations, focusing on issues such as land rights, wealth and reparations. Since 2019, he has been teaching Indigenous public policy to undergraduate students. Francis is currently engaged in a three-year participatory evaluation of the NSW Government’s flagship self-determination initiative, Local Decision Making.

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 examines public policy through the lens of the relationships between First Nations Peoples and the settler state in Australia. The course will explore the shifting relations between First Nations Peoples and Commonwealth and State and Territory governments from invasion until today. It traces settler state and Indigenous approaches to public policy. Students will analyse significant public policies which affect First Nations Peoples and gain insight into First Peoples diverse perspectives on these policies.

The course equips students to develop insight into how public policy affects First Nations Peoples differently. It investigates the public policy objectives of governments and how these relate to the rights and aspirations of First Nations Peoples. It introduces students to the competing interests and key agents that shape the development, implementation, and delivery of public policies that affect First Nations Peoples, including First Nations activism for policy change.

The course examines a number of contemporary case studies to illustrate a range of approaches to public policy. The course is delivered by First Nations and non-Indigenous experts in a range of public policy fields, including scholars, policy practitioners, and community knowledge holders.

Topics may include analyses of policy and perspectives in relation to: self-determination and sovereignty, Indigenous Voices to parliament and governments, shared decision making and Closing the Gap, First Nations Peoples – state relations, land and water management, climate change, economic development, Indigenous entrepreneurship, social security and employment,  and Indigenous prosperity.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to the course, ethical practice and the Core Cultural Learning foundation. Introduction to The Australian state, public policy making and public policy implementation. Introduction to Indigenous peoples and populations in Australia.
2	Hour 1: Indigenous self-determination and Indigenous sovereignty Hour 2: Historical context: First Nations resistance within and against the state
3	Hour 1: Race and the Australian Constitution Hour 2: Joint Governance Part I: Voices to parliament
4	Hour 1: Joint Governance Part II: Treaties Hour 2: Joint Governance Part III: Peak bodies and shared decision making
5	Hour 1: Joint Governance Part IV: Local and regional bodies and shared decision making Hour 2: Joint governance Part IV: Bringing it together
6	Hour 1: Thinking about and assessing Indigenous public policy – backward-looking? Hour 2: Evaluating policy evaluation
7	Hour 1: Case study 1: Remote Indigenous Employment and Livelihoods (Part 1) - Overview Hour 2: Case study 1: Remote Indigenous economic development
8	Hour 1: Case study 1: Looking back at CDEP and CDP Hour 2: Case study 1: Principles for a CDP replacement, and the way forward
9	Hour 1: Designing Indigenous public policy – Processes and practices Hour 2: Case study 1: The roadmap for replacing the CDP
10	Hour 1: Case study 2: Climate change mitigation and adaptation, and Indigenous peoples - Introduction Hour 2: Case study 2: Disaster response and Indigenous peoples
11	Hour 1: Case study 2: Problems and prospects – expert panel Hour 2: Case study 2: Policy and planning – government perspective
12	Bringing it all together

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date
Assessment Task 1: Short essay (30%)	30 %	12/09/2022
Assessment Task 2: Major essay (50%)	50 %	06/11/2022
Assessment Task 3: Oral presentation (10%)	10 %	*
Assessment Task 4: Tutorial participation (10%)	10 %	*

* 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 Academic Integrity . 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.

Assessment Task 1

Assessment Task 1: Short essay (30%)

The short essay assessment for the course is to write a short 1,500 (+/-10%) word essay responding to the question: Will a constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice to Parliament be a ‘gamechanger’ for Indigenous public policy in Australia?

?You will be expected to engage with and properly reference academic and public debate on the issue and to conduct your own research beyond the provided readings.

Assessment Task 2

Assessment Task 2: Major essay (50%)

The major assessment for the course is to write a 3,000 (+/-10%) word parliamentary submission (plus references),including introduction, body and conclusion. Include sub-headings where appropriate. Double-spaced Microsoft Word document submitted via Turnitin.

 

The task is to provide a written response to a Commonwealth or state/territory parliamentary inquiry. During the tutorials, we will discuss different active inquiries that you may choose to will respond to. Please discuss your choice with your tutor before commencing your assessment. 

Your submission must respond to at least one of the inquiry’s terms of reference. 

 

Your submission must focus on one program or policy approach—either past or present—that addresses at least one of the terms of reference with a focus on Indigenous public policy.

 

To respond to the inquiry, please follow these steps:

1. Select one program or policy approach and explain its relevance to the terms of reference
2. Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the selected program
3. Suggest and justify 1–3 recommendations for reforms to the program. These recommendations must draw on your analysis of the program’s strength and weaknesses
4. Prepare a reference list of all sources cited.

General formatting criteria for the assessment:

 The major assessment for the course is to write a 3,000 (+/-10%) word parliamentary submission (plus references), including an introduction, body, and conclusion. Include sub-headings where appropriate. 

 

This submission should take the form of an academic essay. It will be assessed based on the usual scholarly standards regarding to critical thinking, academic rigour, clear communication, and appropriate citation. Please submit your assessment as a double-spaced Microsoft Word document via Turnitin.

Assessment Task 3

Assessment Task 3: Oral presentation (10%)

This assessment task provides students with the opportunity to study an Indigenous public policy issue in-depth and to prepare and help lead a discussion for a tutorial group. For the selected week, students will give a brief (10 minute) oral presentation on one of the readings on the topic of the week. Students are expected to briefly summarise one or more of the readings (two readings may be needed if these are shorter pieces) and give their critical assessment of the documents.

Assessment Task 4

Assessment Task 4: Tutorial participation (10%)

Participation in the tutorials is a critical part of INDG3001. As such, attendance is encouraged. Students are expected to attend lectures and participate during the in class discussions. In tutorials, students are expected to have done the readings and be active participants in the discussions guided by the Tutor. Mere attendance in the tutorials is not sufficient participation. Your participation mark will be released after the last tutorial at the end of Semester. You will be marked on your attendance, preparation and participation within class activities. You will be able to ask for feedback on their participation throughout the semester. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to 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 be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, 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 Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

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.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted 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