This course explores converging literatures about global First Nations histories. The course will explore the causes and consequences of major events in First Nations histories from the Americas, Africa, Asia, the Pacific and in Europe. The survival of these peoples owes much to their own agency in maintaining social life and creating historical narratives. The course examines the importance of language and cultural concepts within diverse First Nations historical narratives, assessing the ways in which such narratives and discourses generate conditions of survival. The topics covered will include concepts of identity within the process of colonisation and decolonisation, evolving government policies and resistance to them, ideas of sovereignty, treaty-making, and other formal relationships between colonised and colonisers, and recent forms of post-colonialisms and global movements for redemption, regeneration, and reconciliation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- interpret historical sources from diverse cultural backgrounds, times, places, and contexts;
- explain the causes and consequences of major events in First Nations histories globally;
- demonstrate understanding of colonial borderlands as important places of cross-cultural contact.
Indicative Assessment
- Research Journal (2500 words) (30) [LO 2,3]
- Online Forums (weekly) (10) [LO 2,3]
- Research Essay (4000 words) (60) [LO 1]
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 12 weeks, 24 hours of seminars and workshop-like activities; 9 hours of lectures; 3 hours of individual consultation with convenor.
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Prescribed Texts
There is no prescribed text.
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 |
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.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7936 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |