- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.
Indigenous Studies
Indigenous Studies is an interdisciplinary major that is designed to equip students to think reflexively about issues that impact on Indigenous individuals and communities on a local, national and global scale.
Indigenous Studies is anchored in the critical study of Australian Indigenous experiences. This includes a focus on cultural, political, economic and social factors that have shaped, and continue to shape, the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is enriched through the study of international Indigenous experiences and engagement with a range of Indigenous perspectives and organizations on a global scale.
Indigenous Studies explores the controversies, complexities and contradictions that shape what it means to be Indigenous in Australia and the world today.
Major Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the Indigenous Studies major students will be able to:
- Identify how Indigenous studies has developed as a discipline and how it relates to other areas of study.
- Evaluate the ideologies and paradigms that continue to shape both popular and scholarly understandings of indigenous peoples.
- Analyse, both critically and reflectively, Indigenous peoples’ understandings of themselves and the world.
- Evaluate the major social and political influences that have underpinned the history of colonisation and resistance.
Subjects Required for Major Study
A major in Indigenous Studies requires the completion of a minimum of 52 credit points, consisting of at least 12 credit points at 100-level, 16 credit points at 200-level and 24 credit points at 300-level.
The major consists of four core subjects that all students must undertake and other elective subjects offered by the Indigenous Studies Unit together with a choice of subjects offered by other participating Faculties. Students are advised to consult with the Indigenous Studies Unit about available subjects prior to enrolment.
| Subject Code | subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | |||
| ONE subject from the following: | |||
| INDS150 | Introduction to Indigenous Australia | 6 | Autumn |
| INDS130 | Indigenous Knowledge in Global Contexts | 6 | Spring |
| Plus: | |||
| INDS203 | Critical Themes in Indigenous Studies | 8 | Autumn |
| INDS300 | Indigenous Peoples and Decolonisation: Global Perspectives | 8 | Spring |
| INDS360 | Indigenous Research Methodologies | 8 | Autumn |
| Electives | |||
| AUST102 | Locating Australia | 6 | Spring |
| GEOG122 | Human Geography II: Living in a Material World | 6 | Spring |
| PHIL151 | Argument, Evidence and Knowledge | 6 | Spring |
| HAS 130 | Social Determinants of Health | 6 | Autumn |
| SOC 103 | Introduction to Sociology | 6 | Autumn |
| CAVA123 | Australian Aboriginal Arts | 6 | Autumn |
| INDS201 | Redefining Eden: Indigenous Peoples and the Environment | 8 | Autumn |
| INDS202 | Indigenous Self-Representation in Contemporary Texts | 8 | Spring |
| ARTS201 | Regional Australian Society & Environment : A Field Study | 8 | Not offered in 2015 |
| ARTS202 | International Studies | 8 | Not offered in 2015 |
| HIST239 | Water in Australia: An Environmental History | 8 | Spring |
| MEDI243 | Comparative Indigenous Health Issues | 6 | Not offered in 2015 |
| PHIL206 | Ethics | 8 | Spring |
| HAS 230 | Contemporary Public Health Issues | 6 | Autumn |
| SOC 231 | Social Research Methods | 8 | Spring |
| PHIL217 | Global Ethics | 8 | Autumn |
| INDS301 | Indigenous Youth and Cultural Production | 8 | Spring |
| INDS350 | Special Topic in Indigenous Studies | 8 | Autumn, Spring |
| GEOG331 | Spaces, Places and Identities: Qualitative research design | 8 | Autumn |
| GEOG332 | Environmental and Heritage Management | 8 | Spring |
| ENGL339 | Transnational Indigenous Literatures | 8 | Autumn |
| HIST350 | Debates in Australian Cultural History | 8 | Autumn |
| LAW 344 | Indigenous Peoples and Legal Systems | 6 | Not offered in 2015 |
| MEDI341 | Research in Indigenous Health | 6 | Not offered in 2015 |
| MEDI343 | Indigenous Community Development: Social and Emotional Wellbeing | 6 | Not offered in 2015 |
| HAS 331 | Social Determinants of Indigenous Health | 8 | Spring |
Double Major
A majority of the Indigenous Studies subjects are drawn from the offerings of a number of faculties and it is possible for students to complete a second major. Students are encouraged to look closely at this option, particularly if they are contemplating postgraduate study.
Subjects Required for Minor Study
| Subject Code | subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | |||
| ONE 100-level subject from the following: | |||
| INDS150 | Introduction to Indigenous Australia | 6 | Autumn |
| INDS130 | Indigenous Knowledge in Global Contexts | 6 | Spring |
| Plus: | |||
| INDS203 | Critical Themes in Indigenous Studies | 8 | Autumn |
| INDS300 | Indigenous Peoples and Decolonisation: Global Perspectives | 8 | Spring |
| Plus ONE other subject from the list of subjects in the major. | |||
Honours
Credit Arrangements
Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.
Other Information
Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au