Overview

This unit examines contemporary culture as a construct by educating students in Indigenous issues with particular focus on the world’s oldest living, continuing culture. Students learn concepts of imperialism and colonialism, the diversity of Indigenous Australian people and culture, and will gain a basic understanding of issues that define our experiences as Australian citizens in a postcolonial society. Concepts fundamental to Indigenous cultures are introduced, including respect and relationships, connection to country spirituality, and kinship. Students will learn to challenge existing knowledge of Indigenous cultures and will be encouraged to form their own connections to help underpin their knowledge of contemporary culture.

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Pathways Teaching 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
21-October-2024
31-January-2025
Last self-enrolment date
03-November-2024
Census date
15-November-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-December-2024
Results released date
11-February-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Analyse and discuss theories of imperialism, colonialism, and post-colonialism, and their relevance to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians today
  • Examine Indigenous knowledge and spirituality, as well as the contemporary implications of traditional aspects of Indigenous life
  • Describe factors that explain historical and contemporary change in Indigenous cultures
  • Explain the ongoing significance of Indigenous culture to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians
  • Confidently practise and further encourage broader thinking in issues of inter-cultural relationships

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
(Online Lecture)
2 12 weeks  24
On-campus
(Tutorial)
2 12 weeks  24
On-campus 
(Workshop)
2 12 weeks  24
Unspecified Activities
(Independent Learning)
6.5 12 weeks  78
TOTAL     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULOs
Written Assignment Individual 25 - 45%  1,3,4,5
Reflection Individual  25 - 35%  1,2,3,4,5 
Presentation Individual/Group 30 - 40%  2,3,4,5

Content

  • The roles of colonialism and imperialism in Australian society
  • Culture as a construct; the role of race and racial identity
  • Diversity within Indigenous cultures
  • Connections to country and local indigenous culture
  • Sovereignty of Indigenous cultures and knowledges
  • The roles of narrative and storytelling in cultural identity
  • Concepts central to Indigenous culture including The Dreaming, kinship structures, non-linear time and gendered knowledges
  • Indigenous cultures in contemporary society

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.