LAWS5024

Indigenous People, Issues and The Law

10 Units 5000 Level Course

Available in 2014

Callaghan Campus Semester 1

Previously offered in 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005

LLB courses are only available to students enrolled in Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree programs.

Deals with the laws and legal issues relating to and effecting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia (Indigenous peoples of Australia) from colonisation to the modern day.

Objectives Course Objectives:

1. To understand particular issues faced by Indigenous peoples and to sensitise students to these issues.
2. To equip students with knowledge and understanding of the laws that govern the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the legal system, including such issues as self-determination, citizenship and sovereignty.
3. To critically examine the impact of government policies and laws on Indigenous peoples.
4. To explore notions of social justice, restorative justice and reconciliation for Indigenous peoples in contemporary legal systems.
5. To analyse and critique polices and laws affecting Indigenous peoples from a socio-legal perspective.
Content The topics to be covered include:

1. Legal encounters:
­ Pre-contact Indigenous society and laws, the impact of colonisation and post-contact history
­ Government polices
­ customary law
2. Race theory: Race, crime and welfare, with reference to children and Aboriginal deaths in custody;
3. Land and other property: Land Rights, Native title; and examples of land returns and acquisitions post-Mabo.
4. Unfinished business: criminal justice issues; self determination and citizenship issues (eg. reconciliation, treaty, constitutional recognition)
Replacing Course(s) NA
Transition NA
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge LAWS1001A, LAWS1001B, LAWS1002A, LAWS1002B, LAWS2003A, LAWS2003B, LAWS3004A and LAWS3004B
Modes of Delivery Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Problem Based Learning
Seminar
Assessment Items
Essays / Written Assignments Research Paper
Group/tutorial participation and contribution Class participation
Presentations - Individual Oral presentation along with a 2 page summary of the presentation
Contact Hours Seminar: for 3 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Compulsory Components
Requisite by Enrolment This course is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws and associated combined degree programs.
Timetables 2014 Course Timetables for LAWS5024