Aboriginal Studies Stage 6 Syllabus (2010)

The Preliminary course focuses on Aboriginal Peoples' relationship to the Land, Aboriginal heritage and identity, and an historical examination of colonialism, racism and prejudice from pre-contact times to the 1960s. The course also includes the development of skills in culturally appropriate research and inquiry methods. It involves case studies.

The HSC course provides for in-depth study of legislation, policy, judicial processes and current events from the 1960s. During the course, students undertake consultation with Aboriginal communities and study the course through the experiences of national and international Indigenous communities. Students apply research and inquiry methods through the completion of a major project.

Preliminary course

• Part I: Aboriginality and the Land
  • Aboriginal Peoples' relationship to Country
  • Dispossession and dislocation of Aboriginal Peoples from Country
  • Impact of British colonisation on Country
• Part II: Heritage and Identity
  • The Dreaming and cultural ownership
  • Diversity of Aboriginal cultural and social life
  • Impact of colonisation on Aboriginal cultures and families
  • Impact of racism and stereotyping
• Part III: International Indigenous Community: Comparative Study
  • Location, environment and features of an international Indigenous community
  • Comparison of the key experiences of the international Indigenous and an Australian Aboriginal community in relation to Aboriginality and the Land; and Heritage and Identity
• Part IV: Research and Inquiry Methods: Local Community Case Study
  • Methods and skills relating to: community consultation; planning research; acquiring information; processing information; communicating information

HSC course

• Part I – Social Justice and Human Rights Issues
  • (a) Global Perspective: Global understanding of human rights and social justice AND
  • (b) Comparative Study: A comparative case study on an Aboriginal and international Indigenous community, in relation to TWO of the following topics: Health, Education, Housing, Employment, Criminal Justice, Economic Independence
• Part II – Case Study of an Aboriginal community for each topic
  • (a) Aboriginality and the Land – The Land Rights movement and the recognition of native title; government policies and legislation; non-Aboriginal responses OR
  • (b) Heritage and Identity – Contemporary aspects of Aboriginal heritage and identity, government policies and legislation; non-Aboriginal responses
• Part III – Research and Inquiry Methods – Major Project : Choice of project topic based on student interest.

Board Developed Course

Course number(s):

• 11000 Aboriginal Studies (2 units – Preliminary)
• 15000 Aboriginal Studies (2 units – HSC)

Prerequisites: Nil

Corequisites: Nil

Eligibility: Nil

Study via self-tuition: No

Exclusions:

• 16687 Aboriginal Studies Life Skills (2 units – Preliminary)
• 16687 Aboriginal Studies Life Skills (2 units – HSC)
• 16699 Human Society and its Environment Life Skills (2 units – Preliminary) (where Aboriginal Studies is undertaken within the course)
• 16699 Human Society and its Environment Life Skills (2 units – HSC) (where Aboriginal Studies is undertaken within the course)

In both courses, students must undertake mandatory case studies. The project log will document all work completed, including the sequential development of the project and the nature and timing of community-based fieldwork.

See the Aboriginal Studies Stage 6 syllabus for further information regarding course requirements.

The knowledge and skills developed in this course can be applied across a range of career pathways.

Industries related to this course include, but are not limited to, the following outlined on the Your Career website:

• Arts and Recreation Services
• Education and Training
• Health Care and Social Assistance
• Information Media and Telecommunications
• Public Administration and Safety

Sample unit Aboriginal Studies Year 11 - Aboriginality and the land (DOCX 107.82KB)

Sample unit Aboriginal Studies Year 11 - Heritage and Identity (DOCX 131.84KB)

Sample unit Aboriginal Studies Year 12 - Heritage and Identity (DOCX 126.53KB)

Sample unit Aboriginal Studies Year 12 - Social justice and human rights - Criminal justice (DOCX 87.69KB)

Sample unit Aboriginal Studies Year 12 - Social justice and human rights - Economic independence (DOCX 86.3KB)

Sample unit Aboriginal Studies Year 12 - Social justice and human rights - Education (DOCX 108.99KB)

Sample unit Aboriginal Studies Year 12 - Social justice and human rights - Employment (DOCX 108.65KB)

Sample unit Aboriginal Studies Year 12 - Social justice and human rights - Housing (DOCX 108.75KB)

Year 11 Aboriginal Studies Sample Assessment Schedule – A (DOCX 16.24KB)

Year 11 Aboriginal Studies Sample Assessment Schedule – B (DOCX 25.91KB)

Year 12 Aboriginal Studies Sample Assessment Schedule – A (DOCX 16.55KB)

Year 12 Aboriginal Studies Sample Assessment Schedule – B (DOCX 22.16KB)