ABORIG 1002 - Indigenous Scholarship & Interplay of Knowledges

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025

This course will provide a foundation for students on the history of the affirmation, development and legitimization of Indigenous knowledge, theory and scholarship in Australia and internationally. Contemporary Indigenous knowledge present a counterpoint to colonial and post-colonial knowledge regimes as they are played out through education, politics, law and society among numerous other areas of the modern world. In investigating these knowledge structures students will learn about the diversity of Indigenous cultures in Australia. This will be counterpointed with study of key Indigenous cultures globally. A focus will be placed on the student's capacity to apply multi-knowledges and interdisciplinary approaches for both complex understanding and the requirements of working with Indigenous communities. From this base students, will learn about the importance of applying Indigenous cultural protocols in the Australian context and in the presentation of Indigenous perspectives in everyday academic, legal, political and economic work. Students will also learn to re-conceptualise problems and question cultural assumptions by negotiating appropriate methodologies to analyse, evaluate and work independently and cooperatively. A variety of methods will be used to achieve engagement, analysis and synthesis including appropriate use of technologies, film, the analysis of texts and learning from Indigenous Elders and academics.

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Course Details

Course Code	ABORIG 1002
Course	Indigenous Scholarship & Interplay of Knowledges
Coordinating Unit	Wirltu Yarlu Aboriginal Education
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assessment	500 word Presentation 25%, 1000 word Journal entry 35%, 2000 word Essay (40%)

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Kam Kaur

Dr Kam Kaur
Course Coordinator
Wirltu Yarlu
Room 105b, Schulz Building

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

Understand the contested nature of knowledges in Australia including the construction of power in society
Discuss the ways in which Western disciplines have impacted on Indigenous knowledges or vis-a-vis across the world
Review the similarity and diversity within and between Indigenous and Western knowledges
Develop complex understanding of Indigenous protocols
Analyse the contemporary interactions between nation states and Indigenous people including social, historical, political, legal and economic consideration
Interrogate text, film and other media around complex relationships, indiviudaly and with others
Apply academic rigor and various technologies to locate, access, analyse and represent information
Apply creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1,2,3
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	2,4,5,8
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	6
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	7,8
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	2,4,8
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	.
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	.
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	1,8

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Course readings will be listed for each week in the module section of the canvas page available online through MyUni

Online Learning

Link to MyUni site for Indigenous Knowledges & Interplay of Scholarship
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes

This course will be team taught over the semester, comprising of myself and guest lectures, such as, Aboriginal elders, academic and professionals.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Lectures are 1 hour per week and seminars are 2 hours per week.

Learning Activities Summary
1. Introduction, Kaurna Welcome
2. Introduction to Knowledge systems and theories
3. What is Indigenous scholarship - and Indigenous peoples of the world
4. Contested nature of knowledges - Indigenous voice: the personal is the political
5. Australia as a nation: cultural identities and complexities
6. Indigenous nations and Caring for Country
7. Indigenous families, wellbeing and healing
8. The Indigenous world, human rights and the law/lore
9. Earth democracy and our place in the worldUsing
10. Using Protocols to Negotiate Space
11. Practical applications for Indigenous knowledges: Turning Points within Academia
12. Conclusions and moving forward

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Due	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Participation and Attendance	Formative and summative	Throughout Semester	10%	2,3,4
Presentation	Summative	See course site	20%	3,4,5
Summary of weekly readings	Summative	See course site	30%	1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Major Essay	Summative	8th Nov	40%	1,2,3,4,5,6,8

For more information see the course guide

Assessment Detail

Presentation:
Students are required to do a 10-15min presentation on a recently sourced article from the media or social media , (newspaper, broadcast, tweets, news etc) that is relation to an Indigenous topic. You will present your analysis in the seminar through a framework - published on MyUni canvas page for this course, (under assessment tabs)

Journal entries:
Students are required to carry out four journal entries, 250 words each, that are reflections on how diverse, different knowledge systems are useful in particular scenarios - refer to course readings from weeks 3 -7.

Essay:
Students are required choose one question from a possibility of 4 - please see the MyUni page under assessments for more information

Submission

Assignments 2 and 3 are submitted via MyUni

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator