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Myths and Massacres: Australian History and Reconciliation
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INDSL2002 - Myths and Massacres: Australian History and Reconciliation
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20260200
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3.1
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2026-09-10
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2026-09-10
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Humanities and Social Science
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Institute of Education, Arts & Community
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Humanities and Social Sciences
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Undergraduate
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15
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.125
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090311
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Indigenous Studies
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090311 - Indigenous Studies
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/indsl2002">View unit fees</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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<p>This unit explores the nature, extent and significance of violence between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Australia. In particular, it examines the evidence relating to killings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by Europeans and appraises the interpretations historians have placed on this evidence. Students will consider the contributions of oral accounts, written records, demographic data and physical evidence in the reconstruction of past events and reflect on the influence of contemporary political perspectives on the interpretation of these materials. The unit explores a range of perspectives concerning the meaning, purpose and accuracy of historical accounts of massacres and other forms of violence and considers their implications for contemporary debates regarding the proper relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia. Students will reflect in particular on the relationship between the historiography of violence and the meaning and process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Australia.</p>
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<p>•The great Australian silence and the myth of peaceful settlement<br>
•Revisionist historiography and the history wars debate<br>
•“Black armbands”, “white blindfolds” and the politics of history<br>
•The history and historiography of violence in settler-colonial Australia<br>
•Massacres, warfare and Indigenous resistance<br>
•Accounts and evidence of frontier violence in Australia<br>
•The contribution of oral testimony to historical understandings<br>
•The influence of contemporary politics on the interpretation of historiographical materials<br>
•The relevance of the historiography of violence to contemporary relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia<br>
•Recognising and commemorating historical sites associated with intercultural violence<br>
•The troubled and troubling relationship between “truth” and “reconciliation”</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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Year
2027
Current Year
2026
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INDSL2002 - Myths and Massacres: Australian History and Reconciliation
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INDSL2002 - Myths and Massacres: Australian History and Reconciliation
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Semester
Semester 1
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Year
2027
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>This unit explores the nature, extent and significance of violence between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Australia. In particular, it examines the evidence relating to killings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by Europeans and appraises the interpretations historians have placed on this evidence. Students will consider the contributions of oral accounts, written records, demographic data and physical evidence in the reconstruction of past events and reflect on the influence of contemporary political perspectives on the interpretation of these materials. The unit explores a range of perspectives concerning the meaning, purpose and accuracy of historical accounts of massacres and other forms of violence and considers their implications for contemporary debates regarding the proper relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia. Students will reflect in particular on the relationship between the historiography of violence and the meaning and process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Australia.</p>
Unit content
<p>•The great Australian silence and the myth of peaceful settlement<br> •Revisionist historiography and the history wars debate<br> •“Black armbands”, “white blindfolds” and the politics of history<br> •The history and historiography of violence in settler-colonial Australia<br> •Massacres, warfare and Indigenous resistance<br> •Accounts and evidence of frontier violence in Australia<br> •The contribution of oral testimony to historical understandings<br> •The influence of contemporary politics on the interpretation of historiographical materials<br> •The relevance of the historiography of violence to contemporary relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia<br> •Recognising and commemorating historical sites associated with intercultural violence<br> •The troubled and troubling relationship between “truth” and “reconciliation”</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Humanities and Social Sciences
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090311 - Indigenous Studies
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/indsl2002">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
<p>must have completed 1 of "<a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=BAKIP1001" target="_blank">BAKIP1001</a>" / "BAXDC1002" / "BAXDC1004" / "FEAFN1102" / "INDOL1002" / "<a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=INDSL1000" target="_blank">INDSL1000</a>" / "<a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=INDSL1001" target="_blank">INDSL1001</a>" / "INDSL1004"</p>
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
<p>must not have completed 1 of "BAXDC2108" / "BAXDC3108" / "<a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=INDSL3002" target="_blank">INDSL3002</a>" / "INDSL3108"</p>
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
K1
<p>Appraise contrasting positions and perspectives on the nature, extent and significance of violence between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Australia</p>
K2
<p>Recognise the influence of contemporary political perspectives on the interpretation of historiographical materials</p>
K3
<p>Explore the relationship between the historiography of violence and the meaning and process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Australia</p>
S1
<p>Conduct historical analysis on both primary and secondary materials</p>
S2
<p>Develop skills in research and communication, including academic writing and referencing</p>
S3
<p>Critically evaluate key theories and concepts in Indigenous history</p>
A1
<p>Engage sensitively and respectfully with debates concerning the nature, extent and significance of violence between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Australia</p>
A2
<p>Apply relevant conceptual and theoretical frameworks to issues and debates regarding the historiography of violence in Australia</p>
A3
<p>Integrate the analysis and interpretation of a range of materials to communicate an informed understanding of Indigenous history</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Critical reviews of unit readings and/or other relevant sources and materials</p>
<p>Critical reviews</p>
<p>15–30%</p>
K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2
2
<p>Presentation (with accompanying notes/summary) on a topic or question related to unit content</p>
<p>Presentation</p>
<p>30–40%</p>
K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3
3
<p>Academic essay or poster on a topic or question related to unit content</p>
<p>Research essay or poster</p>
<p>35–50%</p>
K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Humanities and Social Sciences
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090311 - Indigenous Studies
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/indsl2002">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: INDSL2002 - U3.1