Unit Overview
- Description
This unit covers the history and current operation of native title law and policy in Australia (and associated topics). It seeks to provide students with: a deep understanding of the emergence and evolution of native title law in historical and socio-political context; an ability to critically assess its progress and effectiveness in serving Indigenous communities; a working knowledge of key elements of the law's operation; and an awareness of current challenges in the field. The unit seeks to enhance students' understanding of native title law and policy through the inclusion of modules on transnational legal developments (from the US, Canada and New Zealand) and associated legal topics including water rights and regulation, cultural heritage protection, and complementary lands protection and co-management regimes. It also seeks to deepen student engagement with the topic through close attention to the nature and resilience of Indigenous connections to land and waters, and community experiences of engagement with the native title system.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode First year of offer Not available in 2026 UWA (Perth) On-campus - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) explain and interpret the development of Australian native title law and policy, key elements of its operation, and current challenges in the field; (2) conduct targeted legal research, and design and implement a research strategy to engage discerningly with primary and/or secondary sources and comprehensively address a selected topic; (3) analyse and critically evaluate the evolution of the Australian law in historical and socio-political context, and its effectiveness as a tool for the recognition of Indigenous interests and for the support and advancement of Indigenous communities; and (4) articulate ideas and conclusions clearly and concisely on specific issues (orally and in writing), and plan and produce a clear and engaging academic research paper on a selected topic.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) class participation; (2) research proposal; and (3) research paper. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Professor Simon Young
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- 28 hours across four days.
- Note
- Please note that this unit is taught in a non-standard teaching period. The start date indicates when you are required to do preparatory work, including readings or online modules, for this unit. The end date indicates when all assessments in this unit will be completed. In person classes in this unit will be scheduled at a time between the start date and the end date. Please check the timetable to find out when in person classes in this unit are currently scheduled.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.