This course examines the types of public policies governments pursue, or could pursue, in relation to Indigenous people and the impact of these policies. The course will explore what is meant by ‘Indigenous policy’ and trace the various policy approaches since colonisation. The course will use a number of contemporary case studies  to illustrate a range of different policy approaches, the objectives of the policies and different views about success or otherwise of policies. The case studies will also cover policy implementation issues. Areas covered will include land rights and self-determination, native title, economic development, labour market policy and the Northern Territory Emergency Response. The course will include guest lectures from Indigenous leaders, community workers and those involved in developing policies that impact on Indigenous Australians and the delivery of services.  It is focused on understanding and evaluating significant public policies which impact on the Indigenous population.

The primary focus is on the Australian experience but the situation in the other settler-majority nation-states of New Zealand, Canada and the USA will also be examined.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. contribute to the development and/or assessment of public policies (both social and economic) that impact upon Indigenous Australians;
2. understand policy implementation issues;
3. draw upon the experiences of the impact of public policy on Indigenous people in other settler nation-states to analyse and reflect on Australian Indigenous policy; and
4. critically evaluate competing interests in Indigenous policy and the processes used to develop Indigenous policies.

Proposed assessment is:

• A major essay (3000 words, 60%) [Learning Outcomes 1-4]
• Critical review (1500 words, 30%) [Learning Outcomes 1, 4]
• Tutorial participation (10%) [Learning Outcomes 1-4]

26 hours of lectures and 13 hours of tutorials plus 91 hours of private study. Students are expected to commit up to 10 hours per week (contact plus non-contact) to this course.

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