Oral history and customs of Gippsland Koories
AA
Doris Paton
Subject value of 1.0 (6 points) * 4 hours per week * First semester * Gippsland
The subject will provide students with an introduction to the methodology of conducting oral interviews. Students will attempt to reconstruct Gippsland Kurnai history from discussions and interviews with family and elders of the local Kurnai community. Emphasis will be directed to the customs, beliefs and practices of the Kurnai of Gippsland. Students will examine the social, economic and political organisation of family groups, interaction between tribes, initiation and burial rites practised. Students will discuss the various roles and status of men and women in traditional Kurnai society. The subject concludes with an appraisal of the extent white impact has had on the destruction of oral history, language and customs of the Kurnai of Gippsland. Where possible, the subject will incorporate guest lecturers from the local community. Excursions to local sites of significance and to the work of the Koorie Oral History program at the State Museum will be conducted.
Assessment
Tape and transcript of oral history interview (1000 words): 30% * Essay (1500 words): 30% * Overview essay (1500 words): 40%
Prescribed texts
Howitt A The native tribes of south-east Australia Macmillan, 1904
Pepper P The Kurnai of Gippsland Hyland House, 1985