| Effective Term: | 2024/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Education, Arts & Community |
| Unit Title: | Introduction to Indigenous Australia |
| Unit ID: | INDSL1000 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | (FEAFN1102 and INDOL1001) |
| ASCED: | 090311 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This course offers an introduction to Indigenous Studies at Federation University. The course explores the diverse characteristics and experiences of pre- and post-invasion Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies within an interdisciplinary framework foregrounding Indigenous knowledges and perspectives. It aims to provide students with a broad overview of pre- and post-invasion experiences and expressions of Indigenous cultures, knowledges, histories and identities. The course draws on a wide range of Indigenous-authored content and is delivered, as far as possible, using a collaborative model featuring contributions from members of the university’s local Aboriginal communities. The course is organised around an exploration of three key themes: the characteristics and experiences of pre-invasion Indigenous societies and their encounters with outside cultures prior to 1788; the history and ongoing impacts of settler-colonial invasion from 1788 to the present; and the complexity and diversity of contemporary Indigenous cultures and experiences in settler-colonial Australia. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:No |
| Supplementary assessment is not available to students who gain a fail in this Unit. |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | |  | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
|
| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Recognise the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, experiences and identities |
|
| K2. | Identify and consider the ongoing impacts of settler colonisation on Indigenous peoples and communities in Australia |
|
| K3. | Examine key concepts, theories, issues and debates in the field of Indigenous Studies |
|
| Skills: |
| S1. | Engage with diverse cultural contexts and demonstrate culturally inclusive practices |
|
| S2. | Develop skills in research and communication, including academic writing and referencing |
|
| S3. | Reflect on one’s pre-existing knowledge of and relationship to course content |
|
| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Engage ethically with questions and debates relating to the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia |
|
| A2. | Apply relevant conceptual and theoretical frameworks to issues and debates regarding the status and experiences of Indigenous peoples in Australia |
|
| A3. | Communicate an understanding of key theories and concepts in Indigenous Studies at an introductory level |
|
| Unit Content: |
•Appropriate terminology, languages and protocols
•The characteristics and experiences of pre-invasion Indigenous societies
•Indigenous encounters with outside cultures prior to 1788
•The history of settler-colonial invasion from 1788 to the present
•The ongoing impacts of settler-colonial invasion
•Settler colonialism, power and politics
•Issues of identity, identification, representation and appropriation
•Contemporary Indigenous cultures in settler-colonial Australia
•Culture and politics in Indigenous arts and literature
•Indigenous experiences in contemporary settler-colonial Australia
•Hidden histories of innovation, agency, activism and success
•The politics of reconciliation, recognition, self-determination and sovereignty |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3 | Reflective activities responding to course content and materials | Reflective journal | 25–40% | | 2. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A1, A2, A3 | Draft introduction and summaries of sources to be utilised for research paper or poster | Introduction and summaries | 20–35% | | 3. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A1, A2, A3 | Academic paper or poster on a topic or question related to course content | Research paper or poster | 35–45% |
|