Aboriginal Studies

Stage 6

Aboriginal Studies is designed to foster intellectual, social and moral development by enabling students to think critically about the historical and contemporary experiences of Aboriginal peoples. Through this study students will develop a heightened understanding and appreciation of the concepts of social justice and shared histories, and will critically examine their role as active and informed citizens.

Through Aboriginal Studies, students will develop:

knowledge and understanding about:

• social justice and human rights issues and how they impact on Aboriginal and other Indigenous peoples

• the diversity of contemporary Aboriginal cultural, political, social and economic life

• government policies, legislation and legal decisions and their impact on Aboriginal and other Indigenous peoples

skills to:

• investigate issues and communicate information from a variety of perspectives and develop informed and responsible values and attitudes about:

– social justice

– intercultural understandings

– empathy with Aboriginal peoples’ experiences and views

– ethical research practices.

Preliminary Aboriginal Studies

Preliminary Course Pre-contact to 1960s:

(120 indicative hours)

Part I – Aboriginality and the Land:

(20% of indicative course time)

Part II – Heritage and Identity:

(30% of indicative course time).

Part III – International Indigenous Community:

Comparative Study (25% of indicative course time)

Part IV – Research and Inquiry Methods: Local Community Case Study An aspect of the local community from pre-contact to the present

(25% of indicative course time)

HSC Aboriginal Studies

HSC Course 1960s onwards (120 indicative hours)

Part I – Social Justice and Human Rights Issues A – Global Perspective:

(20% of indicative course time)

Part II (20% of indicative course time) A case study of an Aboriginal community for each topic:

A. Aboriginality and the Land

B. Heritage and Identity

Part III – Research and Inquiry Methods – Major Project:

(30% of indicative course time)

Part III – Research and Inquiry Methods. Major Project Indicative Course Time: 30%

Application of research and inquiry methods to an individual study.

Outcomes - A student:

H4.1 plans, investigates, analyses, synthesises and communicates relevant information, incorporating Aboriginal and other Indigenous peoples’ perspectives

H4.2 undertakes community consultation and fieldwork and applies ethical research practices

Background: The Major Project is to be a topic of the student’s own choice that is related to an aspect of the course, and negotiated with their teacher and appropriate Aboriginal community members. It will allow students to apply their knowledge and skills in planning, acquiring, processing and communicating information, and participating in community consultation.

While the Major Project will be an original piece of work, published materials should be used to provide students with background information and raw data.

A project proposal should be submitted before the teacher gives the student approval to begin their project. This will ensure that students have chosen an appropriate and manageable topic that can be explored within the bounds of consultation with Aboriginal people.