Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Australian Policies
Budget: $250 – $750 AUD
In this task, you need to choose two historical events or policies – one before 1980 and one after 1980. Write a 1500-word structured essay, analysing each event / policy and then comparing to what extent they reproduced / reinforced institutional knowledge about Indigenous Australians. You are required to use a minimum of 5 sources, at least 4 of which must be subject readings.
To complete this task, you need to draw on your understandings of the concepts in Modules 1 and 2 (e.g. positioning, cultural norms, power relations, race/racialisation, deficit discourses, standpoint investigation). You are using these concepts to more closely examine the influence of history and institutions in constructing knowledge about Indigenous Australians.
Use the below structure for your essay. Write your essay as a synthesised discussion for each section, instead of individual responses to each of the prompts.
Essay Structure
Introduction (100 words): Identify your chosen events / policies and briefly introduce the main points that the essay will cover.
Part A: History (500 words)
Describe and analyse each event / policy, in relation to:
The overt and covert goals / intentions
The evident or implied power relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians
How Indigenous Australians are positioned
Compare the similarities and differences in goals, positioning, and power relations
Part B: Institutions (500 words)
For each event / policy, explain the role of the below in the construction of Indigenous Australians as divergent from and / or aligned with the norm. Then explain how institutions reproduce and reinforce these constructions of Indigenous Australians in contemporary Australia:
Cultural norms
Deficit discourses
Race and racialisation
Part C: Self (300 words)
In your own words, and considering your chosen anchor principle, investigate your standpoint by reflecting on:
how your standpoint influenced your knowledge and understandings of the events / policies
how institutions, deficit discourses, and ideas about race have shaped your broader understandings of Australian history and society
any other influential historical, institutional or social factors you’ve identified
Conclusion (100 words): sum up the main points in your essay and restate your overall argument.
Reference List (not included in word count)
APA 7 style
Minimum of 5 sources, 4 of which must be subject readings
PLEASE REACH OUT FOR A LIST OF SUBJECT READINGS
To complete this task, you need to draw on your understandings of the concepts in Modules 1 and 2 (e.g. positioning, cultural norms, power relations, race/racialisation, deficit discourses, standpoint investigation). You are using these concepts to more closely examine the influence of history and institutions in constructing knowledge about Indigenous Australians.
Use the below structure for your essay. Write your essay as a synthesised discussion for each section, instead of individual responses to each of the prompts.
Essay Structure
Introduction (100 words): Identify your chosen events / policies and briefly introduce the main points that the essay will cover.
Part A: History (500 words)
Describe and analyse each event / policy, in relation to:
The overt and covert goals / intentions
The evident or implied power relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians
How Indigenous Australians are positioned
Compare the similarities and differences in goals, positioning, and power relations
Part B: Institutions (500 words)
For each event / policy, explain the role of the below in the construction of Indigenous Australians as divergent from and / or aligned with the norm. Then explain how institutions reproduce and reinforce these constructions of Indigenous Australians in contemporary Australia:
Cultural norms
Deficit discourses
Race and racialisation
Part C: Self (300 words)
In your own words, and considering your chosen anchor principle, investigate your standpoint by reflecting on:
how your standpoint influenced your knowledge and understandings of the events / policies
how institutions, deficit discourses, and ideas about race have shaped your broader understandings of Australian history and society
any other influential historical, institutional or social factors you’ve identified
Conclusion (100 words): sum up the main points in your essay and restate your overall argument.
Reference List (not included in word count)
APA 7 style
Minimum of 5 sources, 4 of which must be subject readings
PLEASE REACH OUT FOR A LIST OF SUBJECT READINGS