SOCIOL 746

Settler Societies and Indigenous Peoples


Please note: this is archived course information from 2016 for SOCIOL 746.

Description

Treaty settlements have been underway in Aotearoa New Zealand for twenty years now but many of us don’t know much about what they are about, or what the injustices are that underpin them. At the same time, similar processes are going on in Australia, Canada and in the USA. In this course we use the concept of settler colonialism to consider what these four societies share in terms of ideas and ways of thinking that frame relations with indigenous peoples. We will look at the ongoing legacy of colonialism and some of the ways in which indigenous peoples have resisted policies that sought to erase their existence as peoples. This background will allow us to critically examine the current policies and practices of treaty settlements, treaty making, court rulings and national apology in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the USA. A central question underpinning the course is to consider the degree to which these policies and practices contribute to decolonisation of these settler societies or perpetuate colonial relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples and settler states.

When you have completed this course you will:

  • be able to discuss the problems generated by colonial relations for both indigenous and settler identities;
  • be able to discuss a number of theories of recognition that seek to reconcile indigenous and settler interests;
  • be able to critically assess these theories in relation to indigenous political struggles for survival and self-determination;
  • have a critical understanding of the systems of state recognition and reconciliation operating in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the USA and the strengths and weaknesses of each;
  • have developed an extensive bibliography of literature in this field;
  • have written a critical research essay on a topic of your choice centring on either one of these countries or one particular theme of recognition politics;
  • be ready to develop your interest in this field into a Masters thesis.

Availability 2016

Semester 1

Lecturer(s)

Lecturer(s) Dr Avril Bell

Reading/Texts

A course reader will be provided if required.

Recommended Reading

TBA

Assessment

Students will complete one major research essay on a topic of their choice with other course assessments designed to contribute to the development of the research essay focus and to encourage you to relate what you are learning in class to current and historical events.

Points

SOCIOL 746: 30 points