HUS 7004 Indigenous Cultural Studies

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have occupied Australia for at least 60 000 years and during this time have developed rich, cultural diverse and complex families and societies. This course introduces and exposes students to the histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and societies through to a contemporary context. By completing this course students will gain a respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within Australia. This appreciation will lead to a greater awareness of the many races, cultures and languages within multi-cultural Australia. The modules of the course, taught in conjunction with the other Tertiary Preparation Program courses of HUS7001 - Introduction to Computing Basics, HUS7002 - Nguya Goolpanie? What Did You Say? Study Skills and HUS7003 - Imbala - Hearing to Understand: Thinking to Write will further enhance students' communication skills. This course will allow students to gain an appreciation and understanding of all Australian cultures and families by focusing upon their own family history and family genealogy.

SYNOPSIS:

Using a process of self-paced instruction and research, the course follows a sequence of topics that focuses on Indigenous culture. A timeline approach, which follows Indigenous Australian lifestyles from creation, through invasion and contemporary issues, is adopted. The teaching strategy will be inclusive of culturally relevant instruction and perspectives that can only be beneficial to Indigenous Australian students. Hence, this enables students to feel more comfortable in addressing Indigenous and non-Indigenous viewpoints and histories.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. recognize the diversity of Indigenous Australian peoples and to conceptualise them as being the original occupants of this land;
2. express their identity in a context that reinforces their uniqueness cultural heritage with pride and dignity;
3. gain an understanding of traditional Indigenous Australian societies and families before the invasion of Australia;
4. appreciate the outcomes experienced by both Indigenous and non- Indigenous peoples during the invasion/contact period; and
5. develop an insight into the contemporary lifestyles, family structures and issues of Indigenous Australian peoples.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

There is no set text for this course. A blank audio tape may need to be purchased for assessment purposes.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Video: Rainbow Serpent. Trade Routes, 60 mins. SBS The Islanders (1986),60 ins. Film Australia The Fringe Dwellers (1986), 97 mins. Film Australia

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

ASSESSMENT NOTES