Outline

Overview

Legacies of colonialism and the renewed influence of racial theories continue to condition how people see and relate to each other in different parts of the world, including Australia. This unit explores ideologies and practices of racialisation in the contemporary world, and examines their connections with scientific racisms and with raciological social theories (i.e. theories that conflate political and moral behaviours with essentialised biophysical or cultural traits). The unit also draws attention toward how discrimination is experienced by people who live their lives as racialised people and examines the anti-racist ideas and proposals that spring from those experiences.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Anthropology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 1000 level in Anthropology or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Diversity Studies
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ANTH2117
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Leanne Williams Green, leanne.williamsgreen@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Leanne Williams Green, leanne.williamsgreen@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Essay Written essay (individual)	30%	Formal exam period Due date: 09 Jun 2025 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Oral presentation with written submission Group presentation	20%	Multiple weeks	700 words (equivalent)
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation Active engagement with the Unit	10%	Ongoing	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Reading Responses Weekly reading responses	10%	Ongoing	10 x 100 wds
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Early Feedback Task #earlyfeedbacktask	10%	Week 03 Due date: 13 Mar 2025 at 12:00 Closing date: 13 Mar 2025	300 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Short written assignment short written assignment	20%	Week 06 Due date: 03 Apr 2025 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = AI allowed ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Participation and Reading Responses (20%):

Marks obtained through participation shall depend on the active involvement of students in tutorials and discussions. Records of attendance will be kept. Every week there will be one or two core readings that every participant is expected to read. In 10 of 13 weeks, students will prepare 100-150 word summaries of the readings, in which they identify key ideas and offer a question in response. Summaries shall be prepared in such a way that they can be shared with the lecturer and with other participants in the tutorials.

Early Learning Task (10%):

Students will complete a short, in-class quiz that will help them to reflect on and consolidate key ideas from the first two weeks of the unit.

Oral Presentation with written submission (20%):

In groups of 3 or 4, students will examine a contemporary issue (from the last 3-5 years) that has been addressed in public media and which explicitly engages with race, racisms, or antiracisms. Each group will analyse and present the case to their peers in oral format, along with a written submission, drawing on course concepts and readings, and utilising a variety of creative media as they choose.

Short written assignment (20%):

The short written assignment will be used as a mid-semester individual writing response to one question (from among a range of options) focused on identifying theoretical and methodological approaches in the study of race, racisms and antiracisms, and key concepts discussed in the beginning of the semester. This exercise is designed to facilitate the establishment of conceptual and theoretical basis for the preparation of the final essay, and will require direct engagement with assigned readings. It also works as a platform to generate specific feedback before the end of the semester.

Essay (30%):

In this course, essays are an essential part of the learning process and an opportunity to acquire, consolidate and generate knowledge and new enquiry related to the course’s contents. Given the nature of the questions upon which students will elaborate, anyone with regular participation in lectures and tutorials will be able to write an essay that, remaining within the boundaries established by the essay questions, touches your issue/s of interest.

Critical engagement with generative AI tools is permitted in this Unit, under guidance. The usage must be cited and must be in line with the Academic Integrity Policy.

Detailed information about each assessment, including use of AI tools, can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

It is very important for students to keep in regular contact with the instructor about their progress in the class. Discretion may be used in the application of the University late penalty.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	History, Concepts, Methods: Human Difference, Power Projects	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	History, Concepts, Methods: Anthropological Accounts of Difference	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	History, Concepts, Methods: Identity and Sociality	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Race and the Postcolony: Africa and the African Disapora I	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Race and the Postcolony: African and the African Diaspora II	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Conceiving of Hybridity and Indigeneity: the Caribbean and Latin America I	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Conceiving of Hybridity and Indigeneity: the Caribbean and Latin America II	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Multiculturalism and Indigeneity: Australia I	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Multiculturalism and Indigeneity: Australia II	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Multiculturalism and Indigeneity: Australia III	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Antiracisms and Alternatives	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Antiracisms and Alternatives II	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Anthropological Tools for the Road	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All required readings are available to students on our Canvas site (see “reading list”).

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. offer a definition of the concepts 'race' and 'ethnicity' and to use them for the analysis of human interaction in different cultural contexts
LO2. identify and distinguish different theoretical and methodological approaches in the study of racial and ethnic relations
LO3. demonstrate understanding of the role of racialising discourse and practice in the maintenance of relations power
LO4. acquire skills to analytically approach bibliographical and audiovisual materials
LO5. demonstrate skills to produce research materials for specialised and non specialised audiences.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Your feedback is essential to keep this unit updated, and to make it enriching for students with diverse personal backgrounds and academic expectations

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ANTH2629: Race, Racisms, and Antiracisms

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links