SDG Detail

SOCIOL 746 : Settler Societies and Indigenous Peoples

Postgraduate course

Project description

Settler societies are a particular type of colonial society, in which settlers set out to take over the lands of indigenous peoples and to erase indigenous societies. Historically and in the present there have been many settler societies, but in this course we focus on four that share a common British heritage - Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the USA. Settler colonialism creates specific kinds of relations between settler and indigenous peoples that will be the focus of this course. We will explore the nature of the settler colonial project, consider various indigenous strategies of resistance and survival, and look at the contemporary policies of "recognition" and "reconciliation" being enacted by these settler states. The emphasis throughout will be on the links between claims and recognition of indigenous identities and sovereignties.

Year 2022

Location New Zealand

Organization University of Auckland

Project aims

The course aims to: Develop a critical understanding of the identity politics of settler societies Introduce students to contemporary theories and practices of recognition in settler societies Encourage students to critically engage with and assess these theories and contemporary practices of recognition Explore theories and debates over the nature and possibilities of decolonisation in settler societies

Project outcome

By the end of this course, students will be able to: Identify and explain the problems generated by colonial relations for both indigenous and settler identities (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, 4.1 and 6.1) Understand a number of theories of recognition that seek to 'reconcile' indigenous and settler interests (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, 4.1 and 6.1) Evaluate these theories in relation to indigenous political struggles for survival and self-determination (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 6.1) Understand of the systems of state/colonial recognition and reconciliation operating in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the USA and the strengths and weaknesses of each (Capability 2.1 and 6.1) Analyse a range of arguments about processes and aims of decolonisation in settler societies (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1 and 6.1) Develop an extensive bibliography of literature in these fields (Capability 1.1 and 1.2) Work collaboratively to produce a short video and supporting documentation demonstrating your understanding of the logics of settler colonialism (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.3, 4.2, 4.3 and 6.1)