You are here: UNE Home / Course and Unit Catalogue / 2010 / A-Z / PEAC388

Year:

PEAC388 Constructing Aliens: Refugees in Contemporary Australia

Updated: 16 April 2010
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 2 Off Campus C - Internet access required
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites any 12cp or candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions PDPS288
Notes None
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s) Helen Ware (hware@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit focuses on the experiences of refugees in 21st century Australia. It considers the Australian Government's legal and political responsibilities and responses to refugees. It examines the causes and effects of fear-based attitudes recognising that the failure of multiculturalism to address these fears has enabled a return to the Fortress Australia mentality. Refugees as survivors of torture, trauma, war and loss are considered through the eyes of Australian professionals working with refugees. Refugee representations and contributions through oral history and the creative arts are explored.

Prescribed Material
Mandatory
Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material

Human Rights Overboard
ISBN: 9781921372407
Briskman, L., Latham, S. and Goddard, C., Scribe Publications 2008
Text refers to: Semester 2 , Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 40% 2000
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-5 GA: 1, 2, 4-6
Assignment 2 60% 3000
Assessment Notes
Essay
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-5 GA: 1, 2, 4-6
Bulletin Board 0%
Assessment Notes
Contribution to online discussion is encouraged.
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-5 GA: 1-8

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. analyse Australia's legal obligations in terms of the 1951 United Nations Convention on the Status and Treatment of Refugees and the Rights of the Child and compare these with current government responses to accepting and processing refugees;
  2. document current initiatives for improving the treatment of refugees in Australia and ensuring that they are supported if they wish to settle in Australia;
  3. better understand the history of Australia's attitude to and treatment of refugees;
  4. define the policies used to undermine Multiculturalism and foster the Fortress Australia mentality that underpin the current treatment of refugees in Australia;
  5. document the contributions made by earlier waves of refugees to Australia's social and economic well-being as well as the arts.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Knowledge of the peace studies discipline, specific to this unit, is taught on an external basis by using the online Blackboard facility where essential materials are accessed. The unit is assessed through two written assignments.
True True
2 Communication Skills
Students will be taught communication skills through written and oral feedback on the assignments and participation component of the unit. Students will be assessed on the style of writing, clarity of writing, expression and development of ideas, and referencing. Students will practice their communication skills through their online discussions and completing the assessment tasks (written through essays).
True True True
3 Global Perspectives
Students will be taught how reconciliation and restorative justice is promoted in deeply divided societies. They will analyse and evaluate reconciliation and justice processes in different areas of the world and will be expected to write an applied analysis of the processes undergone in one specific country.
True
4 Information Literacy
Students will be taught, and directed, to relevant literature and how to assess its validity. Students will be assessed (through the essays) on their ability to identify relevant literature, and on their ability to critically analyse the literature.
True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Through completing the assessments, students will be provided with the necessary lifelong skills to be able to research, write and discuss social issues. These skills can be transferred to any discipline, and will be useful in any research positions. These attributes will be assessed in all of the assessments (written skills; analytical skills). In addition, students who participate in the online discussions will be provided with the skills to debate contentious topics and develop their understanding of a topic through group activities.
True True
6 Problem Solving
Students will be assessed on their ability to deconstruct the essay question and to integrate theory and literature into their answer. Students will need to work out how to address the question and where the most appropriate material is to answer the question. Students are also taught conflict resolution skills.
True
7 Social Responsibility
Students will be taught about their professional responsibilities as a researcher to provide balanced and accurate research. In addition, students will be taught that they have a social responsibility to question and challenge some 'facts' and understanding the importance of understanding the dynamics of conflict. This will be assessed and taught through their responses to the essay, exam questions and discussions in tutorials or online postings. In addition, students will have a better understanding of those global events that have pushed refugees to seek refuge in Australia and those fears that underpin attempts to stop refugees coming to Australia.
True True
8 Team Work
Students will practice their teamwork skills through participating in online discussion postings and exploring hour conflict is managed and the peace building process. They will be required to discuss the weekly topics with their fellow students in a thoughtful and respectful manner (practice).
True
   

Email to a friend