Indigenous Australian Studies aim to provide students with a greater awareness and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives.

18 junior credit points are required to enrol in: Introduction to Indigenous Australia (KOCR 2600). This unit of study is also a prerequisite for most other KOCR units of study. Please see unit of study details for prerequisite and corequisite details.

For an Indigenous Australian Studies major, students must complete 36 credit points of Indigenous Australian Studies. This can include up to 18 credit points of cross-listed units of study.

Indigenous Australian Elders, community members, and state and federal government representatives are invited to speak on particular themes through a guest lecture program in each of the units of study below.

Excursions to Indigenous Australian organisations and communities are also incorporated into study programs. These allow Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to understand the realities of lived experiences and their implications for the broader issues of race relations in this country.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff ensure that Koori Centre courses contain culturally appropriate curriculum.

As of 2008 the Koori Centre will be offering most of the Indigenous Australian Studies major units of study in alternating years. The pre-requisite unit of study, KOCR2600 Introduction to Indigenous Australia, will be offered in both semesters but other units may only be offered in alternative years. Please see New Koori Centre Courses for further information.

Replaces: KOCR 2100 Indigenous Australia - Core Unit of Study
Prerequisite: 18 junior credit points
This unit of study explores the historical, social and political contexts of the survival and growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and philosophies. The unit is structured around the themes of representation and identities; the colonisation of land and people; and resistance and agency. It will provide students with an introduction to Indigenous philosophies and theories by examining “contact history” and resistance within a critical framework.

Co-requisite : KOCR 2600 or KOCR 2100
Indigenous identity has been coupled with the colour of the body. In this unit students explore the multi layered facets of identity that are held in and on the Indigenous body. Indigenous perspectives on identity and non-Indigenous writings on the subject will be examined, as will, the Indigenous body and its representation both historically and contemporarily. The imposition of identity on the Indigenous body and current theories on Indigenous identity will be critiqued.

Prerequisite: 18 junior credit points
The concept of 'traditional' versus 'contemporary' is very much at the forefront of defining meanings for art works created by Indigenous artists. Typically works created by Indigenous artists are delegated to either one of these categories. This unit will examine the theoretical frameworks which position Indigenous artists, through the study of Indigenous artistic expression across a range of genres. It will provide students with the opportunity to engage with Indigenous artists on a formal and informal basis and to discuss complex issues pertaining to Indigenous works, in performance, literature (writing), music, dance and film.

Co-requisite: KOCR 2600 or KOCR 2100
Gamilaraay is an Indigenous Australian language from the mid northwest of NSW that is currently undergoing revitalisation. This Unit of Study will provide students with a basic competence in speaking, understanding, reading and writing Gamilaraay sufficient to recognise and construct simple utterances in the language, and to understand its relationships with other languages. Classes will take the form of three hour intensive oral workshops which progressively develop each student's abilities in the language. Assessment will be by short written assignments based on lesson content and an appraisal of individual oral/aural performance together with a short essay on Gamilaraay culture or a related topic.

Replaces: KOCR 2100 Indigenous Australia - Core Unit of Study
Prerequisite: 18 junior credit points
This unit of study explores the historical, social and political contexts of the survival and growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and philosophies. The unit is structured around the themes of representation and identities; the colonisation of land and people; and resistance and agency. It will provide students with an introduction to Indigenous philosophies and theories by examining “contact history” and resistance within a critical framework.

Replaces: KOCR 2102 Indigenous Australia - Land and Culture
Prerequisite: KOCR 2600 or KOCR 2100
This unit of study traces Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander relationships to country and place, and the continuities and dynamism of contemporary Indigenous Australian cultures. It will celebrate the fact that, despite the impact of colonisation, Indigenous Australian peoples have maintained unique identities and connections to land and sea. Through the themes of Indigenous Sydney, Connections to Place, and Cultural Continuity, this unit of study examines Indigenous belief systems, art, language, performance, and film. This unit of study will include excursions to relevant exhibitions around Sydney.

Replaces: KOCR 2111 Indigenous Australia - Health and Community
Prerequisite: KOCR 2600 or KOCR 2100
The continuing poor health status of Indigenous people is well documented. However, attempts at improving Aboriginal health have often been met with inappropriate policy and practice. The challenge in improving Aboriginal health lies partly in improving the knowledge of non-Indigenous Australians of the historical, cultural and contemporary issues which impact on health. This unit of study will provide opportunities for meaningful contact with Indigenous Australians as a foundation for building partnerships with Indigenous people to improve Aboriginal health.

For further information regarding Indigenous Australian Studies and other courses offered by the Koori Centre, please visit our Online Handbook

Noeleen Smith
Phone: (02) 9351 6113
Toll Free: 1800 622 742
Fax: (02) 9351 6924
Email: nsmith@koori.usyd.edu.au