Hostname: page-component-84b7d79bbc-7nlkj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-08-04T23:20:51.057Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Understanding Social and Legal Justice Issues for Aboriginal Women within the Context of an Indigenous Australian Studies Classroom: a Problem-based Learning Approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2016

Elizabeth Mackinlay ,
Kristy Thatcher  and
Camille Seldon
Elizabeth Mackinlay
Affiliation:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
Kristy Thatcher
Affiliation:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
Camille Seldon
Affiliation:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
Get access

Abstract

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a pedagogical approach in which students encounter a problem and systematically set about finding ways to understand the problem through dialogue and research. PBL is an active process where students take responsibility for their learning by asking their own questions about the problem and in this paper we explore the potential of PBL as a “location of possibility” (hooks, 1994, p. 207) for an engaged, dialogic, reflective and critical classroom. Our discussion centres on a course called ABTS2010 Aboriginal Women, taught by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit at the University of Queensland where PBL is used frequently, and a specific PBL package entitled Kina v R aimed at exploring social and legal justice issues for Indigenous Australian women. From both a historical and contemporary perspective, we consider the types of understandings made possible about justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women for students in the course through the use of a PBL approach.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education , Volume 33 , 2004 , pp. 23 - 30
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arthur, J. (1996). Aboriginal English: A cultural study. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Behrendt, L. (1993). Aboriginal women and the white lies of the feminist movement: Implications for Aboriginal women in rights discourse. Australian Feminist Law Journal, 1, 27–44.Google Scholar
Behrendt, L. (2000). Aboriginal women and crime, Australia. In Rafter, N. H. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of women and crime (pp. 1–2). Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press.Google Scholar
Bell, D. (1998). Ngarrindjeri wurruwarrin: A world that is, was and will be. Melbourne: Spinifex Press.Google Scholar
Butterwick, S., & Selman, J. (2003). Deep listening in a feminist popular theatre project: Upsetting the position of audience in participatory education. Adult Education Quarterly, 54(1), 7–22.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Criminal Justice Commission. (1996). Aboriginal witnesses in Queensland’s criminal courts [Report]. Brisbane: Criminal Justice Commission.Google Scholar
Eades, D. (1996). Legal recognition of cultural differences in communication: The case of Robyn Kina. Language and Communication, 16(3), 215–227.Google Scholar
Fergie, D. (1996). Secret envelopes and inferential tautologies. Journal of Australian Studies, 48, 13–24.Google Scholar
Ghent, C. (Producer). (1993). Excuse for murder. 4 corners [Video recording]. Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, May.Google Scholar
hooks, b. (1994). Teaching to transgress: Education as the practice of freedom. New York: Routledge.Google Scholar
Kenny, C. (1996). Women’s business. Potts Point, NSW: Duff and Snellgrove.Google Scholar
Langton, M. (1996). The Hindmarsh Island Bridge affair: How Aboriginal women’s religion became an administerable affair. Australian Feminist Studies, 11(24), 211–217.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lawrie, R. (2003). Speak out speak strong: Aboriginal women in custody. Sydney: New South Wales Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council.Google Scholar
MacKay, M., & Smallacombe, S. (1996). Aboriginal women as offenders and victims: The case of Victoria. Aboriginal Law Bulletin, 80(5), 17–23.Google Scholar
McConaghy, C. (2003). On pedagogy, trauma and difficult memory: Remembering Namatjira, our beloved. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 32, 11–20.Google Scholar
McDinny, E. (1983). Borroloola women speak: Man and woman dance now. In Gale, F. (Ed.), We are bosses ourselves: The status and role of Aboriginal women today (pp. 68–77). Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.Google Scholar
McHugh, J. (1994). Masciantonio v R (1994) 183 CLR 59 at 73.Google Scholar
Margetson, D. (1997). Why is problem-based learning a challenge? In Boud, D. & Feletti, G. (Eds.), The challenge of problem-based learning (pp. 36–44). London: Kogan Page.Google Scholar
Muir, K. (1996). Media representations of Ngarrindjeri women. Journal of Australian Studies, 48, 73–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mungatopi v R (1991). 57 A Crim R 341; (1991) 2 NTLR 1.Google Scholar
Payne, S. (1990). Aboriginal women and the criminal justice system. Aboriginal Law Bulletin, 46(9), 9–11.Google Scholar
Pickering, S., & Alder, C. (2000). Challenging reforms for feminists and the criminal justice system. In Chappel, D. & Wilson, P. (Eds.), Crime and the criminal justice system in Australia. 2000 and beyond (pp. 222–239). Sydney: Butterworths.Google Scholar
Pringle, K. (1994). Casenotes: R v Robyn Bella Kina. Aboriginal Law Bulletin, 67(3), 14–15.Google Scholar
Robson, F. (1994, 26 March). The terrible trials of Robyn Kina [Good Weekend]. The Australian, pp. 41–45.Google Scholar
Ross, S. M., & Hurlbert, J. M. (2004). Problem-based learning: An exercise on Vermont’s legalisation of civil unions. Teaching Sociology, 32(1), 79–93.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
R v Robyn Bella Kina (1988). Unreported, QLD CCA, 23 November.Google Scholar
R v Robyn Bella Kina (1993). Unreported, QLD CA, BC9303391, 29 November.Google Scholar
Ryan, L. (1996). Origins of a Royal Commission. Journal of Australian Studies, 48, 1–12.Google Scholar
Savin-Baden, M. (2000). Problem-based learning in higher education: Untold stories. Buckingham: The Society for Research into Higher Education and Open University Press.Google Scholar
Schwartz, P, Mennin, S., & Webb, G. (2001). Introduction. In Schwartz, P., Mennin, S. & Webb, G. (Eds.), Problem-based learning: Case studies, experience and practice (pp. 1–12). London: Kogan Page.Google Scholar
Upton, J. (1992). By violence, by silence, by control: The marginalisation of Aboriginal women under white and ‘black’ law. Melbourne University Law Review, 18, 867–873.Google Scholar
Westwood, M. (1993, 30 November). Killer goes free after conviction set aside. The Australian, p. 1.Google Scholar
Whitney, K. (1997). Dually disadvantaged: The impact of Anglo-European law on Indigenous Australian women. James Cook University Law Review, 4, 13–38.Google Scholar
Williams, J, Supreme Court of Queensland, 5 September 1988.Google Scholar