IA1015 - Indigenous Australian World Views 1: Cosmology, Conflict and Cultural Diversity

Credit points:	03
Year:	2007
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	School of Indigenous Australian Studies

Available to Bachelor of Indigenous Studies and other undergraduate students.

This subject will examine the complexities of culture, cosmology and conflict from an Indigenous perspective. Students will be introduced to issues and notions through online learning including the discussion board and e-mail, digital medium and reading materials. Therefore it is essential that students have access to the World Wide Web to complete this subject, students who do not have access to e-mail must notify the subject coordinator. The subject will also explore cultural diversity, theories of race and the dominant discourses that have shaped the historical and contemporary representation of Indigenous Australian cultures. A key theme is the dynamic and evolving processes of Indigenous cultures. It therefore asks students to examine the role of anthropology and related disciplines in the construction of Indigenality and to think critically about racial issues that affect the whole Australian community.

Learning Outcomes

• examine and clarify the intricacies of the terms culture and conflict;
• explore themselves as cultural beings and analyse and discuss the cultural bases and worldviews of their own identity, beliefs and practices;
• examine theories of race and the scientific debates that have shaped relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians from colonisation to the present;
• think critically about racial issues that affect the whole Australian community, particularly those relating to popular constructions of Indigenous people in the media;
• debate the unique part which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have played in Australian society and their role in the development of contemporary and future Australian identity.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to find and access information using appropriate media and technologies;
• The ability to evaluate that information;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning, and to learn independently in a self directed manner;
• The ability to speak and write clearly, coherently and creatively;
• The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
• The ability to work individually and independently;
• The ability to select and use appropriate tools and technologies;
• The ability to use online technologies effectively and ethically.

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 30-Mar-2007
Coord/Lect:	Ms Sharon Moore.
Contact hours:	24 hours lectures 12 hours tutorials
Assessment:	presentations (30%); in class test (20%); essays (50%).
External, Study Period 1
Census Date 30-Mar-2007
Coord/Lect:	Ms Sharon Moore.
Method of Delivery:	WWW - LearnJCU
Assessment:	essays (40%); on-line tutorial discussions (60%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.