The repatriation of ancestral remains is an extraordinary Indigenous achievement and inter-cultural development of the past 40 years. Students join with Indigenous and non-Indigenous experts to explore the history, meaning and significance of repatriation for museums and Indigenous peoples.

Encompassing the historical, cultural and ethical contexts, this intensive course provides a critical framework for introducing repatriation as a key driver of change in museum practice. It aims to inform and critically reflect on Indigenous peoples' efforts to secure the return of ancestral remains and on the development of repatriation policies. The course considers repatriation both in the domestic and international context. The course will:

• Conceptualise the main issues pertaining to the repatriation of Indigenous ancestral remains, including its historical, ethical and cultural context.

• Explore deeper understandings of repatriation and its inter-connectedness with Indigenous law, culture, ethics, country and community development.

• Consider key aspects of the reburial debate and its influence on museum practice.

• Interpret relevant institutional, agency and government policy regimes, including professional codes of practice and ethics.

• Explore repatriation in its international context.

This course allows students to develop a holistic understanding of repatriation, its history and significance. It provides practical skills to assist in the development of repatriation processes and features a range of guest lectures and workshops led by Indigenous and non-Indigenous repatriation practitioners from communities, museums, universities and government.

The course may be delivered in different locations depending on community availability, current debates, and policy developments. To provide students with the opportunity to learn about repatriation issues from Traditional Owners on country, the intention is that the course is delivered on Ngarrindjeri country in South Australia, or on Yawuru and Bunuba country in the Kimberley. Applicants are advised that due to circumstances beyond the University's control (for example, internal border restrictions or areas of high risk) it may not be possible for students to commence or complete this course on location as advertised, in which case an alternative online lesson plan will be arranged to fulfil the course requirements.

Students are required to pay their own fieldwork costs.

Students will only be permitted to travel upon completion of ANU required documentation and the approval of all documentation by the relevant delegate.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. develop a holistic knowledge of repatriation and an understanding of its inter-connectedness with Indigenous law, culture, ethics, country and community development;
2. develop understanding of key issues of repatriation for museums and other collecting institutions;
3. critically examine changes in museum ideology and the development of relevant policies and professional codes of ethics;
4. develop critical and inter-disciplinary skills towards assessment, implementation and analysis of repatriation policies and practices; and
5. facilitate an understanding of appropriate consultation and working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introductions and how do we talk about this topic
2	The Meaning and Value of Repatriation Part 1: Culture, Spirituality, Healing and Reconciliation
3	The Meaning and Value of Repatriation Part 2: Cultural Governance, Community Development, and Nation Building
4	Overview: History of the Theft of Ancestral Remains and the Indigenous Response
5	Overview: The Rise of the Repatriation Movement
6	Repatriation in Australia Today: The Work of KALACC, NRA and GBK
7	Repatriation Practice 1: Key Principles, Key Issues
8	Repatriation Practice 2: Locating and Provenancing Ancestral Remains
9	Repatriation Practice 3: Approaching Museums and Submitting a Claim
10	Repatriation Practice 4: The Long Journey Home
11	A Global Movement - Part 1
12	A Global Movement - Part 2
13	Conclusion and reflections

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
A) Pre-reading and pre-viewing of online presentations, producing 5 key text summaries	25 %	1. To develop a holistic knowledge of repatriation and an understanding of its inter-connectedness with Indigenous law, culture, ethics, country and community development. 2. To develop understanding of the history of the removal of Indigenous ancestral remains and the rise of the reburial movement 3. To develop understanding of key issues of repatriation for museums and other collecting institutions. 4. To critically examine changes in museum ideology and the development of relevant policies and professional codes of ethics.
B) Two questions for the panel OR C) Daily journal	25 %	1. To develop a holistic knowledge of repatriation and an understanding of its inter-connectedness with Indigenous law, culture, ethics, country and community development. 2. To develop understanding of the history of the removal of Indigenous ancestral remains and the rise of the reburial movement 3. To develop understanding of key issues of repatriation for museums and other collecting institutions. 4. To critically examine changes in museum ideology and the development of relevant policies and professional codes of ethics. 5. To develop critical and inter-disciplinary skills towards assessment, implementation and analysis of repatriation policies and practices. 6. To facilitate an understanding of appropriate consultation and working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
D) Research Essay or E) Repatriation Project	50 %	1. To develop a holistic knowledge of repatriation and an understanding of its inter-connectedness with Indigenous law, culture, ethics, country and community development. 2. To develop understanding of the history of the removal of Indigenous ancestral remains and the rise of the reburial movement 3. To develop understanding of key issues of repatriation for museums and other collecting institutions. 4. To critically examine changes in museum ideology and the development of relevant policies and professional codes of ethics. 5. To develop critical and inter-disciplinary skills towards assessment, implementation and analysis of repatriation policies and practices. 6. To facilitate an understanding of appropriate consultation and working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

A) Pre-reading and pre-viewing of online presentations, producing 5 key text summaries

A) Pre-reading and pre-viewing of online presentations, producing 5 key text summaries. Word length: 300 words each. Total: 1500 words

Assessment Task 2

B) Two questions for the panel OR C) Daily journal

B)    Two questions for the panel for each of three panel sessions of your choice. i.e. 6 questions in total

Word length: 30 words per question each accompanied by 220 words explaining some background context. i.e. 250 words per question for 6 questions, equalling 1500 words total. Questions will be moderated by panel organisers on the evening prior, and select questions will be posed to the panel in the relevant session.

OR

C) Daily journal of key learnings from the course (approximately 300 words per day)

Assessment Task 3

D) Research Essay or E) Repatriation Project

D.    Research Essay on topic provided in course materials, or through arrangement with Course Convenor

Word length: 3,000 words

OR

E.  Repatriation Project

Project topic to be decided in discussion with course convenor, for example using own experience or organisational engagement in repatriation processes and practices.

 

Project description and findings to be presented to a panel and other participants. Presentation of no more than 20 minutes duration. Panel and audience may ask questions. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students