Connecting with Culture: Indigenous Australian Experiences
Overview
This unit examines contemporary culture as a construct through initiating or deepening the education of students in Indigenous issues. With particular focus on the world’s oldest living, continuing culture, students learn about the concepts of imperialism and colonialism, the diversity of Indigenous Australian people and culture, and a basic understanding of issues that define our experiences as Australian citizens in a postcolonial society. Fundamental Indigenous concepts are introduced, including respect and relationships, connection to country spirituality, and kinship. Students learn to challenge existing knowledge of Indigenous cultures and are encouraged to form their own connections to help underpin their knowledge of contemporary culture.
Requisites
09-February-2025
01-June-2025
05-October-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Analyse and discuss theories of imperialism, colonialism, and postcolonialism, 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
- Outline the major 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Lecture |
2.00 | 10 weeks | 10 |
| On-campus Class |
1.00 | 10 weeks | 20 |
| Study Tour Site Visit |
2.00 | 2 weeks | 4 |
| Specified Activities Various |
3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning |
6.67 | 12 weeks | 80 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 12.50 | 12 weeks | 150 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | Group | 30% | 2,3,4,5 |
| Reflective Piece | Individual | 35% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Written Assignment | Individual | 35% | 1,3,4,5 |
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 Wurundjeri 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.