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PEAC388 Constructing Aliens: Refugees in Contemporary Australia

Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 2 Off Campus
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

Contribution to online discussion is encouraged.
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s) Helen Ware (hware@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unique unit focuses on the experiences of refugees and forced migrants in 21st Century Australia. Starting by backgrounding the conflicts which create refugees, it considers the Australian Government's legal and political responsibilities and responses to refugees and asylum seekers over the past decade. It examines the causes and effects of fear-based attitudes and the return of the 'fortress Australia' mentality. It questions why issues relating to hundreds of boat-people carry far greater political weight than those concerning hundreds of thousands of immigrants arriving by air. It explores the linkages between the political manipulation of refugee issues and the fate of multiculturalism as a policy under siege at both Federal and State levels. Refugees' own perspectives are given voice through their oral histories, writings and creative art.
Materials Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment Assessment information will be published prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. analyse Australia?s legal obligations under the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Refugee Protocol;
  2. appreciate at a global level the factors which result in the creation of refugee out-flows;
  3. better understand the history of Australia?s attitudes towards and treatment of refugees;
  4. define current Government policies towards asylum seekers, refugees and humanitarian entrants;
  5. empathise with the situation of refugees arriving in Australia; and
  6. document the contributions made by earlier waves of refugees to Australia?s social, cultural and economic wellbeing.

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 facility where essential materials are accessed. Students will be exposed to a very wide range of materials from legal texts to podcasts & videos. They will also be introduced to some of the core debates within the discipline.The unit is assessed through two written assignments. 		True True
2 Communication Skills
Students will be taught communication skills through written 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 practise their communication skills through their online discussions and completing the assessment tasks. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
Students will be taught how to examine howrefugee flows are created 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 directed to relevant literature and taught how to assess its validity. Students will be assessed on their ability to identify and critically analyse the relevant literature. 		True True
5 Life-Long Learning
By completing the assessments, students will be provided with the necessary life-long 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 position. 		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 written assessments. 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 True
8 Team Work
Students will practise 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. 		True
   

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