This course focuses on theoretical and practical issues relating to Indigenous collections and exhibitions, drawing its interdisciplinary approach and methodology from the fields of anthropology and cultural studies as well as museum studies. This allows students to develop a critical understanding of the creation, function, histories, politics and contemporary meanings of objects; the representation of cultures in museum displays and other public venues; shifting relations between source communities and museum; problems of landscape, place, and space; art and aesthetics; visual anthropology; and issues of representation, including photographic representation.
The specific emphasis is on collections and exhibitions relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that are held or displayed in Australia or overseas, but specific attention is also given to other ethnographic and historical collections and displays. Issues examined during the course include the history of collecting and exhibitions, community representation, ownership and intellectual property, repatriation, negotiation, preservation, and modes of display.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- interpret institutional, agency and government policies and frameworks pertaining to Indigenous collections and consultation with Indigenous and other communities;
- conceptualise the main issues pertaining to the representation, preservation, ownership and intellectual property of traditional knowledge and cultural objects, including repatriation;
- evaluate the representation of Indigenous individuals and communities in museums and other exhibition contexts;
- conduct primary research into Indigenous collections including effective written and verbal communication; and
- model best practice and engage in ethical and sensitive processes appropriate to the diversity of constituents and communities in cross-cultural museum contexts.
Indicative Assessment
- Forum discussion (1000 words) (15) [LO 1,2,3]
- Object Case Study Presentation,10 minutes with 5 minutes discussion and associated documentation (1500 words) (35) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Critical Essay (2500 words) (50) [LO 2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 36 hours of contact over a one-week intensive made up of lectures, visits to museums in Canberra, seminars and/or workshops; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
N/A
Preliminary Reading
Kreps, Christina F. (2003), Liberating Culture: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Museums, Curation and Heritage Preservation, London and New York: Routledge.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $3840 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $5700 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Spring Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6462 | 01 Oct 2022 | 21 Oct 2022 | 21 Oct 2022 | 31 Dec 2022 | In Person | View |
