One Semester

36 hours over the semester, normally 3 hours per week

Lilydale

NIL

Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points

Related Course/s:

This is a prescribed unit of study in the Social Science Major/s and Minor/s. It may also be undertaken as a unit of study in any other Swinburne degree program, subject to the prerequisite and degree requirements.

Aims & Objectives:

Indigenous issues in Australia continue to be at the centre of public discussions concerning our national identity, history, and political, legal, health and education systems. This unit of study seeks to initiate the education of students in Indigenous issues so that they may contribute to these discussions from a position that is better informed.

The unit of study aims to provide students with an understanding of Australia's Indigenous peoples and the issues that define their experiences as Australian citizens. Further, it also seeks to encourage students to examine their role as Australian citizens in our contemporary multicultural and multinational society, and to actively encourage students to develop and practice broader thinking in issues of inter-cultural relationships.

Teaching Methods:

Units will be taught in a variety of modes including face to face, online, distance and blended modes. Delivery of this unit may be through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, laboratories, seminars and online.

Assessment:

Reflective journal 25 - 35%
Critical discussion/debate 20 - 30%
Research Piece 25 - 35%
Tutorial participation 5 - 15%

Generic Skills Outcomes:

Graduates will:
• Have a knowledge of the subject area
• Engage in informed critical and creative thinking
• Be independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning
• Understand and practice the highest standards of ethical behaviour associated with the discipline
• Be informed of and appreciate the diversity in social, cultural and economic environments

Content:

The unit of study will examine six main topic areas, looking at both historical and contemporary issues:
• New Arrivals: issues surrounding invasion/settlement
• Race and Identity: identifying race differences in society
• Government Policy
• Sprituality: arts, crafts and traditions; relationships with the land; importance of land, and protocols related to it
• Education: its importance to Indigenous Australia
• Future developments: examining contemporary political developments and their relevance to our country's future