Skip to main content
Unit of study_

EDPL6002: Aboriginal Community Collaboration

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Students develop a deep understanding of the theoretical and practical applications of collaborating with their local Aboriginal communities in order to better meet needs of their students, families and communities, and embed this into the structure and culture of their schools.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDPL6002
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Tarunna Sebastian, tarunna.sebastian@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Louise Bye, louise.bye@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Critical review of the literature
An essay on the critical analysis and review of the literature
40% Week 07
Due date: 07 Apr 2020 at 23:59
2400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7
Assignment Critical reflection & analysis
A critical reflection and analysis of Learning from Country
30% Week 10
Due date: 04 May 2020 at 23:59
1800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO7
Assignment group assignment School response to Aboriginal community engagement
Applying policy documents in schools
30% Week 13
Due date: 25 May 2020 at 23:59
1800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Critical review of the literature: Critically review the literature related to the representation of Aboriginal people and communities and the impact of this on their participation and success in the education system.
  • Critical reflection & analysis: Critically reflect on your experiences in learning from country activities in terms of the value of these informing school culture, Aboriginal student outcomes and ongoing community collaboration. Demonstrate ways in which this approach can move teachers from proficient to highly accomplished levels in the National Professional Standards for Teachers in order to develop a framework to incorporate these knowledges and experiences into whole school planning.
  • School response to Aboriginal community engagement: Using the ‘Community Partnerships Planning Guide’ (p. 13, Aboriginal Education and Training Policy: Turning Policy into Action, AECE, DEC), and with reference to relevant policy documents, assess the extent to which your school responds to the three key elements outlined here. Using the ‘Excellence in Leading’ (p. 10-12, Aboriginal Education and Training Policy: Turning Policy into Action, AECE, DEC), develop a sustainable plan to lead Aboriginal education in your school. Identify key milestones and include how you would monitor the plan.
Detailed information for each assessment 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

  • Consistently strong and ongoing demonstration and evidence of superior organisational and conceptual skills. The work is extremely well-conceived, coherent, logical, original and lucid as well as professionally prepared.
  • Convincing synthesis of evidence, critical analysis and understanding of multiple perspectives to formulate a coherent argument.
  • Scholarly critique of a diverse array of literature. Generates, develops, uses and justifies own ideas or original concepts based on a wide range of relevant sources.
  • Critical assessment and analysis of the relationship between theory, research and practice. Possible insightful and/or original deployments of theory or theoretical concepts. Implications for personal and professional practise are carefully considered and explored. Work potentially worth dissemination and/or postgraduate study

Distinction

75 - 84

  • Consistently strong and ongoing demonstration of very good organisational and conceptual skills. The work is well-conceived, coherent, logical and lucid as well as professionally prepared.
  • Considered use of evidence and consistently demonstrates application of critical analysis. Justifies relevant conclusions and their implications.
  • Scholarly critique of the literature using a variety of relevant sources to develop own ideas.
  • Insightful critique or consideration of the relationship between theory, research and practice. Personal / professional implications for practice considered.

Credit

65 - 74

  • Strong organizational & conceptual skills and evidence that the task is logical and coherent and professionally prepared.
  • Credible argument making relevant use of evidence, analysis and understanding. Able to apply concepts and draw and justify conclusions.
  • Substantial critical appraisal of the relevant literature to develop own ideas.
  • Critical or evaluative discussion/thinking about links between theory, research and practice.

Pass

50 - 64

  • Demonstrates task organization and conceptual understanding in a style which is mostly logical, coherent and flowing.
  • Demonstrates some evidence of analytical and evaluative skills. Able to apply fundamental concepts and draw and justify conclusions.
  • Evidence of critical appraisal of literature, with a recognition of different perspectives.
  • Beginning to develop critical reflection and analysis of practise through theory and research. Relevant concepts etc applied in a generally appropriate and thoughtful way.

Fail

0 - 49

  • When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.
  • Attempts are made to demonstrate a logical & coherent understanding of the assessment task, but some aspects may be confused or undeveloped.
  • Little or no evidence of analytical and evaluative skills. Fails to draw on fundamental concepts and to justify conclusions.
  • Very little evidence of basic skills for problem-solving and addressing key assessment tasks.
  • Literature is presented uncritically and in a purely descriptive way.
  • Very little or no consideration of the relationships between theory, research and practice.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction; 2. Coursework; 3. Intercultural communication and ethical parent/community interactions; 4. Library research skills; 5. Assessment tasks Workshop (6.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 02 Theoretical and practical applications of consultation, engagement, collaboration and partnership Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7
Week 03 Theoretical and practical applications of consultation, engagement, collaboration and partnership Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Week 04 Representations of Aboriginality, culture and communities Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Aboriginal identity, education and the impact of colonisation Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Aboriginal community cultural wealth Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 07 1. Coursework; 2. Community focused, place-based learning and teaching; 3. Assessment tasks Workshop (6.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Community focused, place-based learning and teaching Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Embedding community cultural knowledge in schools Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Indigenous standpoints and the cultural interface Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Critical and social justice approaches Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Critical and social justice approaches Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Final thoughts Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

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.

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.

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

  • LO1. support colleagues in developing deep understandings of the theoretical and practical applications of consultation, engagement, collaboration and partnership in diverse Aboriginal community contexts
  • LO2. lead colleagues in critical discourse about representations of Aboriginal people, culture and communities, the impact these have in educational settings and developing curriculum, pedagogy, policy and procedures to actively address this
  • LO3. critically reflect on Aboriginal community cultural immersion and learning on country experiences and support staff in applying these to teacher professional learning, curriculum design, student engagement, and school culture
  • LO4. apply ethical practices to initiate collaborative conversations with staff and community about the significance of Aboriginal family and community diversity to educational settings in order to embed this into curriculum, pedagogy, policy and procedures
  • LO5. collaborate with Aboriginal community members and students’ families to initiate and develop culturally appropriate teacher professional learning to meet the specific needs of Aboriginal students, and embed a high expectations school culture into their daily practice
  • LO6. lead colleagues in designing culturally responsive, creative and inclusive Aboriginal studies/perspectives programs and teaching/learning strategies based on ethical community collaboration to meet the needs of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students
  • LO7. apply current research to engage staff, Aboriginal family and community members, professional networks and significant stakeholders in collaborative dialogue to initiate improvements in Aboriginal education in their schools.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

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.