Pre-invasion Indigenous cultures have long been seen as the social, economic and ecological prototype of the hunting and gathering way of life. The aim of this course is to convey a basic anthropological understanding of the customary or ‘traditional’ practices and beliefs as they were at the threshold of colonisation and to critically engage with representations while respecting First Peoples' insights and perspectives. We will focus on relationality, and in particular the multiple ways in which connectivity underpins Indigenous worldviews. Exploring these issues also means exploring the intellectual struggles non-Indigenous people have had and continue to have to come to terms with Indigenous societies and cultures, as well as understanding why and how Indigenous social and cultural practices capture the scholarly imagination.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. demonstrate an informed understanding of the complexities of Australian Indigenous cultures and traditions prior to invasion and their continuities in a colonising context;
2. appreciate the diversity of Indigenous societies and cultures prior to invasion and their continuities in a colonising context;
3. describe some of the basic features of Indigenous economic, social and religious life and their interrelationships;
4. demonstrate knowledge of selected fundamental concepts in anthropology and the debates around them; and
5. demonstrate capacity to analyse public and scholarly debates and summarise findings and develop research habits.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction (and weekly topics tbd, the ones below are indicative only)
2	The 'Dreaming'	workshop: participation and group work (Tasks 1 & 2). Annotatedbibliography (Task 3).
3	Personhood	workshop: participation and group work (Tasks 1 & 2). Annotatedbibliography (Task 3).
4	Kinship	workshop: participation and group work (Tasks 1 & 2). Annotatedbibliography (Task 3).
5	Marriage & Gender	workshop: participation and group work (Tasks 1 & 2). Annotatedbibliography (Task 3).
6	Sharing and conflict	workshop: participation and group work (Tasks 1 & 2). Annotatedbibliography (Task 3). Task 4 due.
7	Rituals	workshop: participation and group work (Tasks 1 & 2). Annotatedbibliography (Task 3).
8	Connections to Country: Totemism	workshop: participation and group work (Tasks 1 & 2). Annotatedbibliography (Task 3).
9	Human/Other-than-human relations	workshop: participation and group work (Tasks 1 & 2). Annotatedbibliography (Task 3).
10	Water, Wind, Fire	workshop: participation and group work (Tasks 1 & 2). Annotatedbibliography (Task 3).
11	Death & Mortuary rituals	workshop: participation and group work (Tasks 1 & 2). Annotatedbibliography (Task 3).
12	Change, Innovation & Contact Myths	workshop: participation and group work (Tasks 1 & 2). Task 5 due in week 13.

Tutorial Registration

you must register for workshops, please do so via Wattle. If you can only work asynchronously, please contact Georgia directly to work out the arrangements.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Participation	10 %	1,2,3,4,5
Group work	10 %	1,2,3,4,5
Annotated Bibliography	10 %	5
Take home exam	30 %	1,2,3
Main Essay	40 %	1,2,3,4,5

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills 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.

Assessment Task 1

Participation

Each week you are expected to have read both required readings for the workshops and completed the reading tasks listed under Wattle, as well as any additional research or reflections tasked with during that lecture. The Participation mark will be based on how well you have prepared for the workshops, innovative research, style of presentation, and originality of insights as well as also how well you work in groups, divide tasks, lead and cooperate and give everyone a voice. In order to complete this task, you must participate in a minimum of 8 workshops (unless excused or you made separate asynchronous arrangements). Failure to complete this task will result in a zero mark for this task and the entire course and you will receive a grade of NCN.

Assessment Task 2

Group work

As the workshops involve intense engagement and deep reflection, there is an additional mark for group work above and beyond the Participation mark. This is to acknowledge the extra time and effort that goes into the workshops. The Group Work mark will be assessed by a) observing your engagement in group work exercises in the workshops, b) by observing the progress of different groups’ insights as documented in the shared google doc, and c) by assessing the reporting back to the larger groups.

Assessment Task 3

Annotated Bibliography

From weeks 2 – 11 you are required to submit an annotated bibliography based on the two required readings for the workshops (see example Annotated Bibliography entry in Assessment resources). You will receive a mark for each week you prepare and submit the Annotated Bibliography in the required format. Students will receive 1 mark for each submission, weekly submission will close before the 1st workshop that week, and late submissions will not be accepted.

Assessment Task 4

Take home exam

For the Take-home Exam assessment you will be given a choice of questions to answer. You will be required to write 2 responses of 750 words each (undergraduate), and 100 words each for postgraduates. The questions will be released on 28th August at 9:00am on the Wattle link. You will have 48 hours to complete the exam, with submission due by 30th August 8:59am via Turn-it-in link on Wattle. A late penalty of 5 points per hour will apply.

Assessment Task 5

Main Essay

For the Main Essay you will be required to write 1500 words (undergraduates) or 2000 words (postgraduates) to one of the essays questions. These questions will be released just prior to the Week 10 lecture (13th October). The essay is due by 3rd November, 11:59pm. A late penalty of 5 points per day will apply.

 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

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 Access 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 all ANU students