Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

This course is designed for both practitioners already employed with Indigenous communities or who are active in associated or allied work (such as public record offices, libraries, museums and community cooperatives, keeping places, native title, government instrumentalities) and for students who wish to gain further academic knowledge and credentials in the field of Australian Indigenous studies. The course challenges students to assess, evaluate and critique the effectiveness and efficiency of their workplaces in terms of performance, transparency and ethical standards and it enables a sensitive response when involved in important decisions about Indigenous knowledge and the maintenance of cultural heritage.

The course not only explores some continuing problems in Indigenous studies but also focuses on change and development. Students critically assesses changing contours of cultural knowledge amidst the rampant processes of globalisation and rapid technological advances. The course addresses issues of local and international importance within the framework for maintenance and control. Various regional, bilateral and international structures for reclamation of cultural heritage are discussed.

Students completing this course will demonstrate:

• an understanding of the theory and practice of Australian Indigenous studies
• the ability to evaluate the role of research and theory in the advancement of knowledge within the field of Australian Indigenous studies
• knowledge, skills and attributes for self-motivated, independent investigation of Australian Indigenous studies issues
• knowledge and understanding of Australian Indigenous studies within an international comparative context
• attributes of team-work and problem-solving within cross cultural contexts
• the ability to engage with other professionals working in the Australian Indigenous studies system and allied professions
• knowledge, and understanding of ethical issues relating to Australian Indigenous studies.

This course consists of three core units and one elective unit.

Students complete:

• AIS4010 Theories and research methodologies in Australian Indigenous studies
• AIS4040 Interrogating race and power in Australian Indigenous studies
• AIS4290 Into the field: The theory and practice of ethnography

plus one elective unit from the following:

• AUS4025 Australia in a global perspective
• HYM4200 History and memory: Oral history, life stories and commemoration
• HYM4560 The past around us
• HYM4950 Hidden transcripts: Cultural approaches to the past

Students who complete the graduate diploma with a minimum credit average, may apply to enter course 3756 Master of Australian Indigenous Studies.

After successful completion of 24 points, students may apply to exit the program with course 4006 Graduate Certificate in Australian Indigenous Studies.

Graduate Diploma in Australian Indigenous Studies