Monash University Handbook 2011 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 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 focusses on change and development. The Master of Australian Indigenous Studies 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 advanced 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
• critical understanding of the functions of law, politics, government and academia in the shaping of relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous people in Australia
• the capacity to formulate and research topics in Australian Indigenous studies
• the capacity to draw conclusions, based on research-driven evidence, and to make policy and reform recommendations
• 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 36 points of elective units. A maximum of 48 points must be completed at level four and minimum of 24 points at level five.

Students who achieve a distinction average in their level four units have the option of undertaking a 24-point research dissertation at level five. All units are worth 12 points except where indicated.

Students complete:

• APG4259 Into the field: The theory and practice of ethnography
• ATS4680 Theories and research methodologies in Australian Indigenous studies
• ATS4683 Interrogating race and power in Australian Indigenous studies
• 36 points of electives from one of the streams below of which at least 24 points must be at level five.

Indigenous perspectives and native title

• APG4305/APG5305 History and memory: Interpreting life stories
• APG4313/APG5313 Hidden transcripts: Cultural approaches to the past
• APG4391/APG5391 Exploring Australia: Diverse people, diverse lives
• APG4392/APG5392 Australia unlimited: Local issues, global challenges
• APG4771 The past around us
• APG5699 Research project in Australian Indigenous studies (24 points)
• LAW4158 Indigenous peoples and the law 406
• LAW4197 Current issues in indigenous rights: International, comparative and regional perspectives
• LAW7206 Native title: Courts, tribunals and communities
• LAW7260 Indigenous rights and international law

Repossession of Australian Indigenous culture

• APG4295 History and the museum
• APG4299/APG5299 History and heritage
• APG4301/APG5301 Reading and writing Australian history
• APG4305/APG5305 History and memory: Interpreting life stories
• APG4313/APG5313 Hidden transcripts: Cultural approaches to the past
• APG4391/APG5391 Exploring Australia: Diverse people, diverse lives
• APG4392/APG5392 Australia unlimited: Local issues, global challenges
• APG4396/APG5396 Researching and writing Australia
• APG4771 The past around us
• APG4803 Facilitating community development
• APG4806 Collaborative engagement in communities
• EDF4513 Indigenous and traditional education in a global world
• MGX9230 Public Policy

Guarding Australian Indigenous heritage

• APG4295 History and the museum
• APG4299/APG5299 History and heritage
• APG4301/APG5301 Reading and writing Australian history
• APG4305/APG5305 History and memory: Interpreting life stories
• APG4310/APG5310 Local and community history
• APG4313/APG5313 Hidden transcripts: Cultural approaches to the past
• APG4396/APG5396 Researching and writing Australia
• APG4771 The past around us
• APG4803 Facilitating community development
• APG4806 Collaborative engagement in communities

Students who have completed studies in the Master of Australian Indigenous Studies to the value of:

• 24 points may apply to exit with course 4006 Graduate Certificate of Australian Indigenous Studies
• 48 points may apply to exit with course 4007 Graduate Diploma in Australian Indigenous Studies.

Master of Australian Indigenous Studies