Assessment item 2 - Comparative essay

TASK

You will write an essay comparing two events from the Australian History Timeline (in Module 2) to investigate the evolution of approaches to Australian policy for Indigenous Australians, the way Indigenous Australians are positioned to rationalise approaches, and the presumed relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians as a consequence. There are three parts to this essay; use the structure provided.

Over module two you responded to critical questions to reflect on how social, institutional, and historical forces explicitly and implicitly construct knowledge of Self and Others. In Task 2 you will use this as a basis to extend into a critical analysis of Australian policy and historical events in relation to Indigenous Australians.

“When Holt went on his fateful swim on 17 December 1967, all hopes that the referendum would result in positive change drowned with him” (Foley, 2017, para. 1).

The 1967 Referendum is considered a landmark event in Australia’s shared history. The quote above is by Gary Foley who is an academic and activist (https://www.portrait.gov.au/people/ gary-foley-1950)with a lifetime of scholarly experience and activism regarding analysis of Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples' relations. Consider how this event informs media narratives and historical rationalisation of policy both before and after by choosing two events to consider how representations of this event have been reproduced.

Use the following structure for your essay

Introduction: outline your approach to answering the question, making sure to mention each part of the essay.

Part A: HISTORY

Select two events from the Australian History Timeline. One event must be pre-1967 (before the Referendum) and the other post-1967 (after the Referendum).

You are required to describe and analyse each policy/event in relation to: 

• Goals of each policy or event.

• How Indigenous Australians are positioned (e.g., do they have a role in decisionmaking, are their views represented, are they constructed as a 'problem to be resolved').

• The similarities and differences evident in the goals, positioning of Indigenous Australians, and the implied relationship between Indigenous Australians and wider Australian society.

Part B – INSTITUTIONS

Institutions are powerful influences which shape our knowledge (examples include the media, schools, Government). Explain how knowledge about Australian history is reproduced through institutions to reinforce contemporary understandings.

You are required to consider:

• how the discourses and norms associated with the two events continue to inform contemporary understandings of Australian history and culture

• how racialised power and privilege influence historical and contemporary structures of Australian society and its institutions

• the role of racialisation in the collective and individual standpoints of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Part C – SELF

Reflect on your own standpoint by considering:

• the influence of the two policies/ events on your own positioning

• the social, institutional and historical influences on your understandings

• Examples of other institutions that you are familiar with (schools, your professions etc) and how they influence your standpoint.

Conclusion: Your conclusion should sum up the arguments in your essay and restate and summarise your answer to the question.