Program Overview

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Introduction to ABSX1000 – Introducing Indigenous Australia

The unit ABSX1000, Introducing Indigenous Australia, is designed to introduce students to contemporary Indigenous thought, culture, and politics in Australia. This unit explores Indigenous futurism and activism, the history of race and settler colonialism in Australia, and Indigenous studies and decolonial thinking. Students will also be introduced to contemporary expressions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and identities.

General Information

• Unit Convenor and Teaching Staff: Andrew Farrell
• Credit Points: 10
• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Co-badged Status: None
• Unit Description: This unit introduces students to contemporary Indigenous thought, culture, and politics in Australia, providing skills and knowledge to be agents of change in their communities and the world at large.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Comprehend settler colonialism and race and racism in an Australian context
• Discuss the social, cultural, and political issues that drive Indigenous activism
• Appreciate the diversity of contemporary Indigenous identities and cultures
• Interrogate colonial discourse about race and gender
• Examine their own relationship to colonial power structures and knowledge

General Assessment Information

Terminology Protocols for Indigenous Studies

In Australia, there are two distinct Indigenous peoples: Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people. When writing about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, do not use the acronym 'ATSI'; instead, write in full. Capital letters should always be used when referring to Aboriginal peoples and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Referencing

Referencing is an essential component of academic writing or presentation, enabling the reader to follow up the source of ideas and information presented in the work. Reliable referencing clearly indicates where conclusions have been drawn from the evidence presented. It is obligatory for students to reference all sources used in their written work, including electronic material. The APA 7 referencing style is used in Indigenous Studies.

Late Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day to late submissions, up until the 7th calendar day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of '0' (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted.

Assessment Tasks

• Quiz: 20%, Due: Open: 6/8/25, Close: 13/8/25
• Active Learning: 30%, Due: Week 5, Week 8, and Week 11
• Major Essay: 50%, Due: Week 12 (31/10/25)

Quiz

The quiz assesses students' understanding of key concepts of the unit.

Active Learning

Students will be assessed on their response to a set question posted to the online forums in three separate weeks.

Major Essay

Students will write a 1500-word essay. Details will be provided on the iLearn site.

Delivery and Resources

All weekly material can be accessed online. Students are required to watch online lectures via weekly workbooks. The library provides study skills support, and information about library resources and study skills is available.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

• Academic Appeals Policy
• Academic Integrity Policy
• Academic Progression Policy
• Assessment Policy
• Fitness to Practice Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
• Special Consideration Policy

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness, and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching, and research. The university offers a range of resources and services to help students reach their potential.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students, including academic success resources, library support, IT support, accessibility and disability support, mental health support, and social support.