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Unit of study_

INDG3005: Re-awakening Australian Languages

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Australia holds an unenviable record for its loss of Indigenous languages and actively pursues a de facto policy of English monolingualism. This unit examines how Indigenous communities are resisting this trend and reviving so-called extinct languages through examining the roles of language policy and planning, community activism, language centres, education, technology and the linguistic processes involved. Lecture and tutorial content is supplemented by a fieldwork excursion (at additional cost) to a regional language centre and associated school programs.

Unit details and rules

Unit code INDG3005
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
KOCR3607
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in Indigenous Studies
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Susan Poetsch, susan.poetsch@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Tutorial presentation
In-class presentation and discussion
20% Multiple weeks 20-30 mins plus discussion
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO2
Assignment Essay
Respond to an essay question from a list provided.
40% Week 07
Due date: 18 Sep 2022 at 23:59
1800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Assignment Field report
Report on excursion
40% Week 11
Due date: 23 Oct 2022 at 23:59
1800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

  • Tutorial presentation: Deliver a presentation to your tutorial class and lead discussion based on one of the weekly topics. 
  • Essay: Choose a question that interests you and is different to the one allocated for your tutorial presentation. 
  • Field report: Produce a report that documents what you have learned about language revival on the field trip in relation to the theories and issues considered throughout the unit of study. 

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

Work of exceptional standard. Demonstrates initiative and ingenuity in research and reading, pointed and critical analysis of material, innovative interpretation of evidence, makes an insightful contribution to debate, engages with values, assumptions and contested meanings within original evidence, develops arguments on the strength of detailed research and interpretation. Properly documented; writing characterised by creativity, style, and precision.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of a superior standard. Written work demonstrates initiative in research and reading, complex understanding and original analysis of subject matter and its context, both empirical and theoretical; makes good attempt to get behind the evidence and engage with its underlying assumptions, takes a critical, interrogative stance in relation to argument and interpretation, shows critical understanding of the principles and values underlying the course. Properly documented; writing characterised by style, clarity, and some creativity.

Credit

65 - 74

Competent work. Evidence of extensive reading and initiative in research, sound grasp of subject matter and appreciation of key issues and context. Engages critically and creatively with the question, and attempts an analytical evaluation of material. Makes a good attempt to critique various interpretations, and offers a pointed and thoughtful contribution to an existing debate. Evidence of ability to think theoretically as well as empirically, to conceptualise and problematise issues. Well written and documented.

Pass

50 - 64

Work of a satisfactory standard. Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading and research, and demonstrates a reasonable understanding of subject matter. Offers a synthesis of relevant material and shows a genuine effort to avoid paraphrasing, has a logical and comprehensible structure and acceptable documentation, and attempts to mount an argument, though there may be weaknesses in particular areas.

Fail

0 - 49

Work not of acceptable standard. Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: unacceptable levels of paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; presentation, grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; submitted very late without extension. Failed work is always second marked.

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 Revival in theory and practice Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Introduction, topic allocation & excursion Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Revival in policy & planning Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Revival theory policy & planning Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 03 Communities Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Communities Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 04 Centres Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Centres, master-apprentice Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 05 Education Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Education, language nests Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 06 Literacy & oracy Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Literacy & oracy, authority & authenticity Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 07 Technology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Technology, role of linguists Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 08 Field trip Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Field trip Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Documentation Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Documentation, archives & publications Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 10 Unit wash-up Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Report consultation Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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

Readings are available electronically in Fisher Library, via the Canvas site.

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. evidence a broad understanding of the theoretical and practical issues of language revival as they apply to Australian languages
  • LO2. demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the cultures and languages of Aboriginal Australia
  • LO3. conduct yourself sensitively and ethically in Aboriginal domains
  • LO4. pursue independent lines of inquiry based on relevant theory and data gained from fieldwork
  • LO5. effectively communicate knowledge and beliefs through high-level oral and written communication skills.

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.

This unit of study is informed and improved by student feedback and advice from our partner Aboriginal organisations and community members.

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.