Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have developed knowledge and understanding about the origins of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander society as evidenced by the Dreaming, indigenous people's beliefs and archaeological evidence; complexity and diversity of pre-invasion indigenous society as evidenced by the Dreaming, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, archaeology, primary resource documents, historical accounts and the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; impact and consequences of European invasion on the lives of indigenous people in the past and present with a focus on indigenous people's experience and interpretation of Australia's history as evidenced by indigenous oral tradition and contemporary indigenous historians, primary resource documents, historical accounts, and the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues and concerns, with a focus on the initiatives developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and by governments to address them; appropriate teaching strategies and support resources, both human and material available for the teaching of Aboriginal studies and Torres Strait Islander studies. Students should have developed the skills of effectively implementing local community consultation and involvement strategies; developing, delivering and evaluating appropriate Aboriginal studies and Torres Strait Islander studies teaching programs and strategies; utilising available Aboriginal studies and Torres Strait Islander teaching resources, using appropriate teaching strategies and terminology; presenting teaching activities in a sensitive manner that demonstrate indigenous experiences and interpretations of Australian history; teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children effectively. Students should have engaged in learning experiences which should enable them to value the cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their historic and continuing contribution to Australian society; develop a cultural empathy and commitment to the teaching of Aboriginal studies and Torres Strait Islander studies and perspectives; develop confidence in their ability to develop, teach and evaluate Aboriginal studies and Torres Strait Islander studies programs.
Synopsis This subject provides students with crosscultural knowledge which will allow them to develop curriculums for Aboriginal studies and Torres Strait Islander studies in prep to year 10 social education. Emphasis will be placed on the way in which culture is shaped by the physical environment from which it emanated; how historical events have helped shape culture; how Aboriginal culture and Torres Strait Islander culture have changed in response to the arrival of foreign cultures and people; valuing the heritage of indigenous people and their historic and continuing contributions to Australian society.
Assessment Seminar and tutorial presentation: 30% + Research assignment: 70%