MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Arts Undergraduate Handbook 1996

Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

Caution Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1320-6222

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996

Koorie studies

Objectives

The Koorie Research Centre has as its main objectives:

+ to enable undergraduate students to understand issues from an Aboriginal perspective;

+ to enable students to acquire a general knowledge of the different aspects of Koorie culture and how the culture has undergone change and adaptation.

Such understanding will require students to construct critical arguments and analyse issues in their historical and contemporary context.

The Koorie Research Centre offers courses of study in the social anthropology of Koories, the study of kinship, political and linguistic systems in urban and remote societies and contrasts between Koorie and non-Koorie societies. Emphasis is placed on an analysis of the Koorie religion, lifestyle and kinship system as they applied prior to the British arrival in Australia, and involves an understanding of the Australian environment in that period. Study of the post-contact period looks in detail at the effects of contact on Koorie society and economy, and the government and other policies as they apply to Koories and to non-Koorie organisations.

Teaching in the centre includes lectures and small tutorial groups which encourage debate and enquiry. The oral presentations, written summaries and essays teach reflective, analytical and rhetorical skills specific to Koorie studies as well as to the arts degree in general. Classes are given by visiting Koorie and non-Koorie lecturers. Courses in Australian studies, anthropology, geography, history, politics, linguistics, environmental science and sociology complement the courses available in the Koorie Research Centre.

The Koorie Research Centre is responsive to the wider community interest in Aboriginal culture and expertise through its free public lecture program and the Koorie studies subjects.

First-year, major and minor sequences

A major sequence in Koorie studies is available to BA students, and those wishing to complete this major should undertake a first-year sequence in history (with an Australian focus), linguistics, Aboriginal studies, sociology, geography, anthropology or politics as the first part of the major sequence. In order to complete this major, students would need to gain a further forty points in Koorie studies subjects, either twenty-four at second-year level plus sixteen at third, or alternatively, sixteen at second-year level and a further twenty-four at third year. A minor sequence in Koorie studies can be completed in one of two ways. Students may take either a first-year sequence in history (with an Australian focus), linguistics, Aboriginal studies, geography, anthropology or politics, followed by sixteen points of Koorie studies subjects at the second-year level, or they can complete sixteen points of Koorie studies subjects at the second-year level followed by at least twelve points of Koorie studies subjects at the third-year level. Students should note that it is possible to undertake second-year level studies in Koorie studies without having completed one of the specified first-year level sequences. However, such students would not be able to complete a major sequence in Koorie studies.

First-year level

In order to complete a major sequence in Koorie studies, students should complete a sequence in history (with an Australian focus), linguistics, Aboriginal studies, geography, sociology, anthropology or politics at the first-year level.

Second-year level

+ KRS2010 Koorie studies I

+ KRS2020 Koorie studies II

Third-year level

+ KRS3010 Koories and social justice

+ KRS3020 Racism and prejudice

Students taking a major sequence in Koorie studies should include one of the following subjects towards their second or third-year studies:

+ HSY2260 Australian Aboriginal history

+ KRS2030/3030 Native title

+ KRS2040/3040 Aborigines and the law

+ KRS2050/3050 Australian Aboriginal literature

+ KRS2060/3060 Traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art

+ KRS2070/3070 Australian Aboriginal women

+ LIN2370/3370 Aboriginal languages of Australia

+ GES2250 Mankind-environment relationships: perspectives in cultural geography or GES2290 Society, nature and settlement in the New World

+ VSA3230 Australian art: 1880s to the present

+ SCY2150 Sociological research techniques

+ SCY2230 Australian society: a developmental perspective

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