This assignment requires that you keep a journal of your
responses to the weekly readings from Weeks 2 to 6. Each week you’ll be
expected to read and explore the assigned resources and think about the way
particular narratives shape and limit our understanding of the world.
You will submit your 5 journal entries (approx.
300 words each) via Canvas week to week. Each response should have the
following form:
– Identify the assigned reading or resource that
you’re responding to.
– Submit a cultural example you’ve come across
that illustrates one of the themes of the reading. Your example might be a news
item, an image, an advertisement, a turn of phrase, an infographic, a game, or
a movie — it’s up to you. Record the source of your example (for published
items provide a full reference, for online resources provide a URL, for other examples
briefly describe where or how you experienced them).
– In a couple of sentences identify (a) the
particular cultural narrative that the example reinforces; and (b) how this is
communicated, e.g. through visual metaphors, cliches, the particular choice of
language, curatorial choices etc.
– Critically reflect upon which voices or
perspectives are left out of the identified narrative.
THE PURPOSE
The assignment is an opportunity for students to
develop their own critical voice, improving their writing skills to allow for
clear and effective communication of their ideas (Learning Outcome 2, Graduate
Attributes 1 and 3). It stimulates original thinking and research while
encouraging students to explore socially and historically marginalised perspectives
(Learning Outcome 1, Graduate Attribute 2).
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Your journal will be assessed against the
following criteria:
– Your level of engagement with the assigned
readings and resources
– Your ability to find and analyse interesting
and original examples relating to the readings
– The overall quality of your journal, including
expression, spelling, style, presentation, and referencing.
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The sources are:
https://web.archive.org/web/20160815101246/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/04/tony-abbott-says-australia-was-unsettled-before-british-arrived
https://c21ch.newcastle.edu.au/colonialmassacres/map.php