The Koorie Research Centre has as its main objectives:
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.
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. The major should include KRS2010 and KRS2020 at second-year level and KRS3010 and KRS3020 at third-year level. 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.
Coordinator: Liz Reed
Students proceeding into the fourth or honours year have the opportunity of consolidating their understanding of an area (or areas) of specialisation, while pursuing a research topic under expert supervision, leading to the degree of BA(Hons) in Koorie studies. Students are required to have completed a BA degree including a major in Koorie studies in which they have achieved at least credit level grades in twenty-four points (three subjects) taken at second and third-year levels, including at least sixteen points (two subjects) at third-year level. In the honours year, students will take two coursework subjects, namely KRS4010 (Research methodology in Koorie studies) and KRS4020 (Theoretical perspectives in Koorie culture and history) and will complete a written dissertation of between 12,000 and 15,000 words (KRS4030).
Upon successful completion of the honours year, students should be able to:
The centre does not offer combined honours degrees. However, mid-year entry is offered by this centre. Discontinued and continuing honours students may request a progress report on their results for completed constituent honours subjects.
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.