Monash University Arts Undergraduate Handbook, 1997

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. Lectures 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. A free public lecture program is open for KRS2010 and KRS2020.

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