Psychology, Culture, and First Nations Australians

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2027/05

Institute / School :

Institute of Health and Wellbeing

Unit Title:

Psychology, Culture, and First Nations Australians

Unit ID:

PSYCB2109

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

Nil

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

Nil

ASCED:

090701

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

The unit aims to provide students with an understanding of the centrality of culture to human behaviour. Students will explore how culture affects a variety of psychological variables, including identity, social functioning, emotions, mental health, as well as other areas within the discipline of psychology. Furthermore, they will develop an understanding of the processes through which this occurs. A specific focus is on First Nations Australians, and students will learn how social, cultural, and historical contexts have shaped contemporary life, especially with regard to well-being. Students will be introduced to Indigenous Psychologies and alternate models of health and well-being. Students will be challenged to explore the assumptions and values embedded in their own worldviews, and the effect of these on their perception and approach to the world around them, such that they develop a capacity to engage with the broader community in a culturally aware and responsive fashion.

Grade Scheme:

Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience Indicator:

No work experience

Placement Component:

Supplementary Assessment:Yes

Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment

Course Level:

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

K1.	Describe the central role of culture in shaping human behaviour and explain the processes through which cultural influences operate.

K2.	Review the contemporary consequences of colonisation for First Nations Australians’ psychological health.

K3.	Appraise Indigenous Psychologies as a unique discipline with unique perspectives on mental health and well-being.

Skills:

S1.	Exhibit an awareness of cultural diversity in Australian society and/or throughout the world.

S2.	Demonstrate an appreciation of implications of the differences and commonalities between people from different social and cultural groups.

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Demonstrate cultural awareness and responsiveness, with a focus on First Nations Australians.

Other outcomes:

Unit Content:

Unit content topics may cover:

Introduction to culture and the study of culture in psychology.
Cross-cultural research methods.
Culture, enculturation, and developmental processes.
The impact of culture on self and identity.
The importance of language to culture.
Migration and acculturation.
Mental health from a cultural perspective.
The social, cultural and historical contexts of First Nations Australians.
The relationship between psychology as a profession and discipline and First Nations Australians.
Indigenous psychologies and Australian First Nations psychology and social and emotional wellbeing.

Graduate Attributes:

Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.

FED TASK and descriptor		Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
FED TASK and descriptor		Level
FEDTASK 1 Interpersonal	Students at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams.	Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
FEDTASK 2 Leadership	Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations.	Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
FEDTASK 3 Critical Thinking and Creativity	Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning.	Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
FEDTASK 4 Digital Literacy	Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities.
FEDTASK 5 sustainable and Ethical Mindset	Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life	Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting	Professional Standards
1.	K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A1	Quizzes to test knowledge of content and practical applications.	Quizzes	10-40%
2.	K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A1	A written assessment incorporating an understanding of culture and its application and impact on real-world contexts.	Written Task - Policy Brief	30-50%
3.	K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A1	A written reflexive task incorporating personal reflection on the unit and content.	Reflective Task	20-40%

Adopted Reference Style:

APA ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency