Program ratingThe Australian Indigenous Studies program has experienced major changes in recent years under the leadership of the Academic Coordinator Philip Morrissey. The Murrup Barak Melbourne Institute for Indigenous Development was founded to unite diverse teaching and research of Indigenous themes and is chaired by Professor Marcia Langton.
Study areas for the course include Indigenous health, Aboriginal women, Aboriginal land, law and philosophy, key thinkers and concepts, and Indigenous arts and literature including film and sport.
Aimed atAustralian Indigenous Studies is directed at those wanting a deeper understanding of the culture and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
EmployabilityAfter studying Australian Indigenous Studies, employment can be found in Indigenous organisations both government and non-government, journalism and publishing, administration (public and private sectors), tourism, hospitality and entertainment industries, diplomacy, foreign affairs and politics, teaching and education, law, justice and legal services, administration, business research and analysis, library services and museum and public history administration, and many others.
ObjectivesThe objectives of the Bachelor of Arts are to provide students with an outstanding education in the humanities, social sciences and languages as well as a broad understanding of selected fields of study outside these areas. The degree is designed so that a Bachelor of Arts graduate should be able to: * Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of selected fields of study in core disciplines in the humanities, social sciences and languages. * Reflect a general understanding of the concepts and principles of selected areas of study outside core disciplines of the humanities, social sciences and languages. * Access and appreciate national and international debates in their specialised areas of study. * Demonstrate an independent approach to knowledge that uses rigorous methods of inquiry and appropriate theories and methodologies that are applied with intellectual honesty and a * respect for ethical values. * Apply critical and analytical skills and methods to the identification and resolution of problems within complex changing social contexts. * Act as informed and critically discriminating participants within the community of scholars, as citizens and in the work force. * Communicate effectively and, in the case of those students undertaking a language major, to read, write and speak another language with fluency and appreciate its cultural context. * Qualify for employment in a wide range of occupations. * Commit to continuous learning. * Be proficient in the use of appropriate modern technologies, such as the computer and otherinformation technology systems, for the acquisition, processing and interpretation of data.
Practical experienceThere are various internship courses associated with this program.
Academic titleBachelor of Arts (Australian Indigenous Studies)
Course descriptionAustralian Indigenous Studies is available as both a major and minor sequence of study in the Bachelor of Arts.
Major
A major in Australian Indigenous Studies consists of eight 12.5-point subjects, totaling 100 points, comprising:
Level 1 (25 points)
* Australian Indigenous Studies (IDF subject)
* Any level 1 discipline-based arts subject
Level 2/3 (75 points)
* 50 points from the list of specialist Australian Indigenous Studies Level 2/3 subjects including the compulsory capstone subject Critical Debates in Indigenous Studies, to be taken in the final year of the major.
* The remaining 25 points may be selected from the list of level 2/3 specialist or comparative Australian Indigenous Studies Level 2/3 subjects.
Minor
A minor in Australian Indigenous Studies consists of six 12.5-point subjects, totaling 75 points, comprising:
Level 1 (25 points)
* Australian Indigenous Studies
* Any level 1 discipline-based arts subject
Level 2/3 (50 points)
* 25 points from the list of specialist subjects
* The remaining 25 points may be selected from the list of level 2/3 specialist or comparative subjects.
Australian Indigenous Studies: Level 1 Subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
100-181 Australian Indigenous Studies
This subject will provide students with an introduction to the complexity, challenges and richness of Australian Indigenous life and cultures. Social and political issues will be considered through engagement with specific issues both local and natio... Semester 2 12.50
Australian Indigenous Studies: Level 2/3 Specialist Subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
102-005 Exploring Central Australia
Exploring Central Australia is an interdisciplinary subject designed to guide students towards a 'shaping' experience of Central Australia. It is a subject designed to prompt academic inquiry in the context of a first-hand encounter - an in... Semester 2 12.50
670-308 Exploring Central Australia
Exploring Central Australia is an interdisciplinary subject designed to guide students towards a 'shaping' experience of Central Australia. It is a subject designed to prompt academic inquiry in the context of a first-hand encounter - an in... Semester 2 12.50
106-204 Indigenous Histories in Sports
This subject investigates the identity of Australia as a sporting nation and how this identity has been informed by Indigenous sports people. Through the context of sport, this subject seeks to critique cultural, social and political themes that have... Semester 1 12.50
673-335 Indigenous Histories in Sports
This subject investigates the identity of Australia as a sporting nation and how this identity has been informed by Indigenous sports people. Through the context of sport, this subject seeks to critique cultural, social and political themes that have... Semester 1 12.50
106-205 Indigenous Histories in Film
This subject will explore the historical constructions in documentary and feature films of the inter-relations between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians since 1788 until the present. A major focus of this subject will be to examine the way I... Semester 2 12.50
673-336 Indigenous Histories in Film
This subject will explore the historical constructions in documentary and feature films of the inter-relations between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians since 1788 until the present. A major focus of this subject will be to examine the way I... Semester 2 12.50
106-045 Aboriginal Writing
This subject studies Aboriginal fiction, poetry and drama, as well as life stories and criticism, focusing on questions of reading positions (particularly for non-Aboriginal students) and representation. It pays particular attention to the diversity ... Semester 2 12.50
670-325 Aboriginal Writing
This subject studies Aboriginal fiction, poetry and drama, as well as life stories and criticism, focusing on questions of reading positions (particularly for non-Aboriginal students) and representation. It pays particular attention to the diversity ... Semester 2 12.50
106-063 Aboriginal Cultural Studies
This subject studies Aboriginal dance, theatre and popular music, cultural and sporting festivals and governmental arts funding agencies and Aboriginal arts organisations. It focuses on theoretical and political issues which arise from Aboriginal cul... Semester 1 12.50
670-334 Aboriginal Cultural Studies
This subject studies Aboriginal dance, theatre and popular music, cultural and sporting festivals and governmental arts funding agencies and Aboriginal arts organisations. It focuses on theoretical and political issues which arise from Aboriginal cul... Semester 1 12.50
107-030 Contemporary Aboriginal Art
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
670-346 Contemporary Aboriginal Art
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
131-051 Aboriginal & Pacific Islander Histories
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
166-013 Parliamentary Internship
In this subject students will have active experience working for a Member of Parliament in the settings of Parliament, the Parliamentary Library, Parliamentary Offices and electorate offices. Each student will complete a research project for the Memb... Semester 1, Semester 2 25
166-044 Parliamentary Internship (Int.Students)
In this subject students will have active experience working for a Member of Parliament in the settings of Parliament, the Parliamentary Library, Parliamentary Offices and electorate offices. Each student will complete a research project for an MP on... Semester 1, Semester 2 25
166-038 Indigenous Rights: Land and Heritage
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
166-039 Public Affairs Internship (Int.Students)
In this subject students will have active experience working for a senior person with a policy-making and management role in the organisation in which they are placed. The central task will be to complete a policy report of relevance to the organisat... Semester 1, Semester 2 25
166-043 Public Affairs Internship
In this subject students will have active experience working for a senior person with a policy-making and management role in a local government, non-government or community-based organisation. Students will be required to use their own networks to ma... Semester 1, Semester 2 25
175-018 Language in Aboriginal Australia
This subject develops an appreciation of the role of language in Aboriginal Australia, traditionally and today. On completion of the subject, students should have a general knowledge of the linguistic features which characterise Australian Aboriginal... Semester 1 12.50
476-202 Education 2B Indigenous Aust Studies
Topics studied include traditional through to contemporary Indigenous Australian (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) peoples' Âcultures; the origins, diversity, history and current issues and initiatives of �... Semester 1 12.50
730-394 Indigenous People, History and the Law
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
674-310 Language in Aboriginal Australia
This subject develops an appreciation of the role of language in Aboriginal Australia, traditionally and today. On completion of the subject, students should have a general knowledge of the linguistic features which characterise Australian Aboriginal... Semester 1 12.50
166-392 On Country Learning: Indigenous Studies
This subject provides an in depth study of the historic Indigenous political struggle for racial equality, land justice, heritage control, and for self determination, by focusing on the Yorta Yorta as a case study. It embraces a number of relevant In... Semester 1 12.50
106-242 Aboriginal Land, Law and Philosophy
Aboriginal Land, Law and Philosophy will provide students who have completed the first year introductory Australian Indigenous Studies 100-181 subject with a more detailed and complex understanding of some of the key themes in this study area. It wil... Semester 2 12.50
Australian Indigenous Studies: Level 2/3 Comparative Subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
107-028 Australian Art: Rock to Pop
This subject provides a scholarly introduction to the history of art in Australia, at the same time incorporating new perspectives, approaches and ideas. It demonstrates ways of interpreting Australian art through its relationship to historical event... Semester 2 12.50
670-345 Australian Art: Rock to Pop
This subject provides a scholarly introduction to the history of art in Australia, at the same time incorporating new perspectives, approaches and ideas. It demonstrates ways of interpreting Australian art through its relationship to historical event... Semester 2 12.50
107-087 Contemporary Australian Cinema
Global and national forces have shaped world cinema from its inception in the late nineteenth century. How, then, do we define a national cinema? This subject will examine the various factors that help shape and define the nature of the Australian fi... Semester 1 12.50
670-354 Contemporary Australian Cinema
Global and national forces have shaped world cinema from its inception in the late nineteenth century. How, then, do we define a national cinema? This subject will examine the various factors that help shape and define the nature of the Australian fi... Semester 1 12.50
131-240 Controversies in Australian History
This subject examines controversial episodes in the Australian past that commanded public attention, gave rise to heated argument and exposed national divisions. Controversies such as the Myall Creek Massacre, the Eureka rising, the campaign for fema... Semester 2 12.50
672-308 Controversies in Australian History
This subject examines controversial episodes in the Australian past that commanded public attention, gave rise to heated argument and exposed national divisions. Controversies such as the Myall Creek Massacre, the Eureka rising, the campaign for fema... Semester 2 12.50
672-365 Change & Conflict in Australian Society
An introduction to the study of social movements and the general issues raised by the problem of social change and political conflict. How and why do political changes occur? If social movements did not exist, would societies need to invent them? The... Semester 1 12.50
131-300 Colonising Australia
At a time when Australian history is as contested as ever, this subject looks back at some of the key historical moments and themes that shaped late eighteenth and nineteenth century Australia. From debates over its ‘discovery’... Semester 1 12.50