Subject description

Aboriginal Studies is a 10-credit subject or a 20-credit subject at Stage 1.

In Aboriginal Studies, students learn from and with Aboriginal peoples, communities, and other sources of Aboriginal voice. Learning from and with Aboriginal peoples and communities is integral to students developing and extending respectful ways of thinking, communicating, understanding, and acting. Through their learning in this subject, students draw on elements of history, sociology, politics, arts, and literature.

Students acknowledge and extend their understanding of the narratives and accomplishments as told by Aboriginal peoples, and reflect on the impact of past events on the present. They develop respect for what narratives and accomplishments mean to different Aboriginal peoples and communities.

Students analyse the historical and contemporary experiences that are of significance to Aboriginal peoples and communities. They examine the intergenerational influence and impact of government policies, past and present, on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples and communities today. Students investigate experiences of ongoing resistance and survival, and learn about initiatives and accomplishments developed in response to these experiences.

Diversity is at the heart of learning in Aboriginal Studies. Students develop their understanding of the diversity of Aboriginal peoples’ identities and experiences, including cultural, political, linguistic, and contextual diversity. They acknowledge and extend their understanding of the diversity and the historical, social, and political importance of Aboriginal cultural expressions, and learn from a wide range of cultural expressions including painting, music, performance, literature, and oral traditions.

Students engage in learning from and with Aboriginal peoples and communities to develop respect for and awareness of the diversity of the experiences of Aboriginal peoples and communities. They develop and extend their respect for, and understanding of cultural protocols, and reflect on the diversity of cultures. They develop respectful ways of thinking, listening, communicating, and acting.

In this subject, ‘Aboriginal peoples’ refers to all Indigenous peoples of Australia.