HUMN 3011 An Introduction to Contemporary Aboriginal Australia

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 401242

Coordinator Glenda Mcdonald Opens in new window

Description This unit introduces the perspectives of Aboriginal people and communities and explores both diverse and unifying aspects of Aboriginal cultures. The unit is informed by a theoretical model of developing cultural competence - cultural knowledge, cultural awareness, cultural skills, cultural encounter and cultural desire (Campinha-Bacote, 2011). To maximize their learning, students will experience an 'on-country' field trip facilitated by Aboriginal Elders. The unit will interest anyone wishing to develop personal and organisational cultural competence related to Aboriginal Australia, extend their understanding of past and contemporary issues relating to Aboriginal people and communities and promote understanding of the intergenerational impacts of the past experiences of Aboriginal people and their communities.

School Nursing & Midwifery

Discipline Indigenous Studies

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Restrictions Successful completion of 80 credit points.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. Critically analyse contemporary cultural issues in Aboriginal Australia.
  2. Apply newly acquired knowledge to their professional practice,
  3. Critically reflect on a transformative learning experience in the development of cultural competence related to Aboriginal Australia.
  4. Describe the influence of history, politics and economics on the health of Aboriginal Australians today.
  5. Identify workplace strategies and practices which facilitate the improvement of the delivery of culturally competent professional practice.
  6. Apply the cultural respect, cultural competence and Communication Framework within a professional capacity in relation to Aboriginal Peoples.
  7. Apply theoretical concepts of assessment, communication and decision-making from student�fs own disciplinary perspective to work with Aboriginal communities.

Subject Content

Three topic areas;
1. History of Aboriginal Australia 1787 - Historical periods of interaction between colonisers and Australian Aboriginal people. The period of colonisation from first contact to mid 1850s. The period of protection from mid 1850s to mid 20th century. The period of activism from mid 20th century onwards
2. Aboriginal Culture: A living culture - How cultural values and practices have continued and grown since colonisation. Values include the Dreaming, spirituality, connection to country, social organisation. Practices include stories/songs/dance/art, lore and law, traditional medicine, and rituals associated with births, deaths and marriages.
3. Aboriginal Australia in the Future: Where to from here? - Where to from here includes current state of land rights, activism, election of Aboriginal women to parliament, contemporary advocates (eg. Stan Grant), rise of media in Aboriginal affairs (eg.NITV)

Teaching Periods

Structures that include subject