21060 Advocacy and Social Change

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Business
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject explores the theoretical framework related to advocacy and activism as the basis for engaging in practical advocacy activities. The main focus of the subject is to engage students in a specific project to assist Indigenous organisational settings. This involves identifying an organisation where there is a clear need for the development of advocacy and communication strategies. Students develop a tailored advocacy strategy including consideration of appropriate tactics and development, and application of advocacy and communication skills. Ultimately, this subject locates activists through their shared experiences and explores strategies for effective advocacy.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1.	Explain critical issues facing Indigenous organizational settings in Australia
2.	Apply a range of advocacy strategies
3.	Communicate effectively in person and in writing to a wide variety of stakeholders
4.	Assess advocacy strategies and provide recommendations for change

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject helps the student develop the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively in advocacy and activism activities on behalf of a particular group or organisation. It contributes to the course learning outcomes in terms of providing transferable skills in the areas of communication, analysis and advocacy. It also helps develop a range of interpersonal skills which will support the student in engaging with a variety of stakeholders in the context of Indigenous organisations. The assessment tasks in this subject engage the student in practical application of this knowledge and skills and the development of a strategic approach to advocacy.

This subject contributes to developing the following graduate attribute(s):

Intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving

This subject also contributes specifically to develop the following Program Learning Objective(s):

Communicate information verbally and in written form for a business audience (2.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject is presented in seminar format. Essential principles are presented and analysed and students are lead through practical application exercises.

Content (topics)

Indigenous organisations and social and political change (including theories as they relate to civil society and collective action)
Theory and practice of strategic communication for Indigenous organisations
Advocacy strategies and campaigning (including examination of case studies of successful campaigns)
The relationship between government funding and capacity to advocate
The relationship between individual and systemic advocacy, and
Institutional and non-institutional forms of advocacy in the Indigenous rights movement.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Advocacy Document (Individual)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 3 and 4
Weight:	30%
Length:	500-800 words
Criteria:	Clearly identifies the issue, demonstrates understanding of the issue and makes a persuasive case for change Demonstrates knowledge of what action can be taken to address this issue and makes clear recommendations Clearly written expression that is appropriate to the audience with correct grammar, a professional and authoritative tone that is concise and readable

Assessment task 2: Advocacy Issue Report (Individual)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight:	30%
Length:	1400-1600 words
Criteria:	Clearly identifies the issue, demonstrates understanding of the issue Demonstrates knowledge of different stakeholders’ points of view and motivations Demonstrates knowledge of key stakeholders’ advocacy strategies Critically reflects on the contributions and perspectives of indigenous peoples in relation to the advocacy issue Acknowledges all academic sources (books, chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles), as well as any other sources (official reports, organisation websites, ABS data, media articles, etc.) drawn upon in the report Clearly written expression that is appropriate to the audience with correct grammar, a professional and authoritative tone that is concise and readable

Assessment task 3: Presentation (Group)*

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4
Weight:	40%
Length:	10-15 minute presentation
Criteria:	Clearly identifies the issue, demonstrates understanding and importance of the issue Clearly identifies and provides a rationale for an alternative course of action Presentation structure: e.g. clear and appropriate slides, structure and appropriate headings Effective presentation of data in graphs and figures *Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and awarded a mark of zero.

Minimum requirements

Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.

Required texts

There is no textbook for this subject. The following are the required academic readings for the course. See the Canvas site for more information, including specific pre-reading and preparation for each session.

Carlson, B., & Frazer, R. (2018). Yarning circles and social media activism. Media International Australia, 169(1), 43–53. https://doi.org/10.1177/1329878X18803762
Duarte, M. E. (2017). Connected Activism: Indigenous Uses of Social Media for Shaping Political Change. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 21. https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v21i0.1525
Foley, G. (2011). A Short History of the Australian Indigenous Resistance 1950-1990. http://www.kooriweb.org/foley/resources/pdfs/229.pdf
Graham, M., & Brigg, M. (2020, July 20). How Aboriginal political thought challenges notions of autonomy [Opinion]. ABC Religion & Ethics; Australian Broadcasting Corporation. https://www.abc.net.au/religion/aboriginal-political-concepts-autonomous-selfhood/12472310
Merlan, F. (2005). Indigenous Movements in Australia. Annual Review of Anthropology, 34(1), 473–494. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.anthro.34.081804.120643
Ospina, S., & Foldy, E. (2010). Building bridges from the margins: The work of leadership in social change organizations. The Leadership Quarterly, 21(2), 292–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2010.01.008
Yunkaporta, T. (2019). The porcupine, the Paleo-mind and the grand design. from Sand talk: How Indigenous thinking can save the world. Text Publishing, 1-23.