Contemporary Rights and Civil Rights Movement

Term Overview

  • Term 4 Structure:

    • Weeks 1-3: Contemporary Case Studies on Rights Today

    • Examination of the current situation regarding rights in:

      • Australia

      • America

    • Legal pathways for upholding rights

    • Principles of Justice

    • International Law and International Politics

    • International Case Studies on Rights in the contemporary world

  • Week 4:

    • Conclusion of contemporary rights discussions

  • Week 5: Melbourne Cup Long Weekend

    • Exam Revision

  • Week 6:

    • Continued Exam Revision

    • Exams commence on Wednesday, November 12th

  • Week 7: Exam Week

  • Weeks 8 and 9: Headstart

    • Transition into VCE classes for two weeks

    • Important note: Content learned at the end of this term may be included in final exams next year, especially for Unit 3 & 4 subjects.

Civil Rights in Australia Today

  • Focus on: Experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australian society

  • Key Date: Australia Day

Incarceration Rates

  • Statistics:

    • Indigenous Incarceration Rate: 800 per 100,000 adults

    • Non-Indigenous Incarceration Rate: 450 per 100,000 adults

    • Comparison with UK: 150 per 100,000 adults

    • Detailed breakdown by state/territory:

    • NSW: 700

    • VIC: 350

    • QLD: 750

    • SA: 400

    • ACT: 050

    • TAS: 100

    • NT: 800

    • WA: 450

  • Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, "Prisoners in Australia"

Learning Intentions

  • Previous Learning:

    • Explored history of discrimination against First Nations People since colonisation

    • Investigated the Australian Civil Rights Movement and its challenges against oppressive systems

    • Analyzed the Reconciliation Movement and its efforts to correct past injustices

  • Current Focus:

    • Analyzing the contemporary experiences of First Nations people

    • Investigating current actions aimed at achieving positive change

Task 1: Investigating Current Situations in Australia

  • Objective: Examine both positives and negatives of current situations for First Nations people

Thematic Focus Areas

  • Achievements:

    • Identify significant accomplishments of First Nations People

    • Include factual details such as names, dates, and statistics

  • Challenges:

    • Identify significant challenges faced by First Nations People

    • Include factual details such as names, dates, and statistics

Areas of Impact

  • Social:

    • Day-to-day attitudes, beliefs, inclusion, and actions

  • Economic:

    • Economic status and disparities

  • Political/Governmental:

    • Government policies affecting rights and freedoms

  • Cultural:

    • Significant events, societal values, and celebrations

  • Legal:

    • Court systems, prison systems, and legislative frameworks

Task 1: Jigsaw Activity

  • Instructions:

    1. Create a table in your notes, allocating significant space for each theme

    2. Set up five tables, each with different information on achievements or challenges

    3. Spend 9 minutes at each table collecting key facts

    4. Aim to gather sufficient information to evaluate the effectiveness of the Civil Rights Movement. It’s acceptable not to complete all readings

    5. Move clockwise to the next table when time is up

Task 2: Reflective Writing Activity

  • Objective: Process thoughts regarding the movement

  • Evaluation Assignment:

    • Assess the extent to which contemporary Indigenous rights and equality have been achieved in Australian society

    • Structure:

    • Overall contention sentence - express your agreement level

    • One paragraph focusing on positives/successes

    • One paragraph on ongoing challenges

      • Note: Counterpoint first, followed by main argument to reinforce your response with key points