Murdoch University: Courses

Availability:
Murdoch campus (internal)
Murdoch campus (external)
Some units may also be available in the following locations and attendance modes:
Rockingham campus (internal)

This major offers students a broad interdisciplinary approach to the study of Australia's Indigenous cultures. Its scope includes both traditional and contemporary forms of Aboriginal society and culture, and develops an overall framework for understanding the variety of traditions that together constitute Aboriginality and investigates how this interacts and influences within Australian identity and culture.

Students will be introduced to a range of interdisciplinary approaches, including cultural, political and social theories, literary and linguistic analysis, history and anthropology. The major will challenge the ethnocentric approach of many towards Aboriginal cultures in Australia today, while situating Australian Indigenous studies firmly in appropriate intercultural and interdisciplinary contexts.

Employment Prospects:
A degree in Australian Indigenous Studies can be combined with a vocational major to provide professional training for administrative careers within the Federal or State public service. An Australian Indigenous Studies degree is particularly useful for students who anticipate working for Indigenous and mainstream community organisations or in areas such as Health, Education, Media, Law, Community Development and Environmental Science.

Admission Requirements: Onshore course offerings:
As per normal undergraduate admission requirements.

Internet access is required for students studying externally; exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Special Requirements:
There may be a reduction in choice of units if completing this course in the external mode.

Recommended Double Majors:
Communication and Media Studies (BCommun); Sustainable Development (BA, BSc)

Excluded Majors:
Education (BEd) [Primary Teaching] (Four Years) + Australian Indigenous Studies (BA)

Main research areas:
History, environmental, sociology, heritage, community development, culture and media.

Course Structure - 72 points

Part I - 24 points

Foundation Unit - 3 points

Select one Foundation Unit from the Foundation Units section in this Handbook.

Core Units - 6 points

AIS180 Introduction to Australian Indigenous Studies -- 3 pts
Murdoch: S1-internal, S1-external
Rockingham: S1-internal

Select one unit from the following:

AIS174 Contemporary Indigenous Cultural Expression -- 3 pts
Murdoch: S2-internal, S2-external

AIS177 Introduction to Nyungar Culture -- 3 pts
Murdoch: S1-internal, S1-external, S2-internal, S2-external
Rockingham: S2-internal

General Electives - 15 points

Select from any 100-level units offered by the University, subject to individual unit prerequisites.

Students are advised to consider using these points to meet the requirements of a second major or minor. Recommended double major(s): Communication and Media Studies (BCommun); Sustainable Development (BA, BSc).

Part II - 48 points

Core Units - 24 points

Select from the following:

AIS281 Contemporary Indigenous Issues -- 4 pts
Murdoch: S2-internal, S2-external
Rockingham: S2-internal

AIS228 Our Mob: Indigenous Families -- 4 pts
Murdoch: S1-internal, S1-external
Rockingham: S1-internal

AIS205 Australian Indigenous Politics: Resistance or Collusion -- 4 pts
Murdoch: S2-internal, S2-external

AIS301 Black, White and Green: Indigenous Sustainability -- 4 pts
Murdoch: S1-internal, S1-external

AIS250 Special Topics in Australian Indigenous Studies: Spirituality -- 4 pts
Murdoch: S1-internal, S1-external

AIS303 Indigeneity and Critical Theory -- 4 pts
Murdoch: S2-internal, S2-external

NUR234 Indigenous Culture and Health Care -- 4 pts
Peel: DE9-internal, S2-internal

AIS2721 Wanju Boodjah 'Welcome To Country' -- 4 pts
Murdoch: W1-internal

Students may substitute one unit (4 points) in lieu of a Core Unit from the following list:

EDU230 Education for Social Justice -- 4 pts
Murdoch: S2-internal, S2-external
Rockingham: S2-internal

EDU263 Aboriginal Studies Across the Curriculum -- 4 pts
Murdoch: SB6-internal

EDU425 Australian Indigenous Education -- 4 pts
NA 2010

MCC358 Issues in Screen Analysis -- 4 pts
NA 2010

General Electives - 24 points

Select from any 200- to 400-level units offered by the University, subject to individual unit prerequisites.

Students should ensure they are familiar with the University's internal legislation, including provisions specifically relevant to their studies. See the University Regulations and Rules.

Cancellation of Courses, Minors and Units
The University reserves the right to cancel, without notice, any course, major, minor or unit if the number of students enrolled falls below limits set by the University.

Handbook 2010

Australian Indigenous Studies (BA)

Kulbardi Centre