Content

This unit is designed for students who wish to learn about Aboriginal cultures and spirituality in both their ‘traditional’ and ‘contemporary’ versions. The unit will introduce students to the key language, concepts and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and spirituality. It will also contrast this way of doing and seeing life with that of the dominant Australian culture. Some work will be done on the status of Aboriginal cultures and spirituality in some Aboriginal forms of Christianity.

Unit code: IS2002M

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2

Unit discipline: Indigenous Studies

Delivery Mode: Blended

Proposing College: School of Indigenous Studies

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Learning outcomes

1.

Describe the key concepts at play in traditional Aboriginal culture and spirituality

2.

Articulate the ways in which contemporary Aboriginal forms of spirituality engage with colonial influences.

3.

Analyse the ways in which contemporary Aboriginal life is both continuous with, but also different to, traditional ways of life

Unit sequence

Prerequisite is two units of study at undergraduate level 1.

Pedagogy

Reading and video materials will be made available for students well before the unit begins. Class andragogy will bounce off these materials and will consist of mini-lecturettes and class discussion.

Indicative Bibliography

  1. Larissa Behrendt, Indigenous Australia for Dummies. 2nd Ed. Milton, QLD; John Wiley, 2021
  2. Denise Champion with Rosemary Dewerse, Yarta Wandatha. Adelaide: Uniting Church, 2014
  3. Zena Cumpston, Michael-Shawn Fletcher and Lesley Head, Plants: past, present and future. Melbourne: Thames and Hudson, 2022
  4. Garry Worete Deverell, Contemplating Country: more Gondwana theology.Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2023
  5. Garry Worete Deverell, Gondwana Theology: a trawloolway man reflects on Christian faith. Reservoir, Victoria: Morning Star Press, 2018
  6. Bill Gammage and Bruce Pascoe, Country: future fire, future farming. Melbourne: Thames and Hudson, 2021
  7. Marcia Langton and Aaron Corn, Law: the way of the ancestors. Melbourne: Thames and Hudson, 2023
  8. Marcia Langton, The Welcome to Country Handbook: a guide to Indigenous Australia. Wurundjeri Country, Richmond, Vic: Hardie Grant Explore, 2023
  9. Anne McGrath, Laura Rademaker and Jakelin Troy (eds), Everywhen: Australia and the Language of Deep History. Sydney: NewSouth Publishing, 2023
  10. Ian J McNiven and Lynette Russell, Innovation: knowledge and ingenuity. Melbourne: Thames and Hudson, 2023
  11. Margo Neale and Lynne Kelly, Songlines: the power and promise. Melbourne: Thames and Hudson, 2021
  12. Karlie Noon and Krytal de Napoli, Astronomy: sky country. Melbourne: Thames and Hudson, 2022
  13. Victor Steffensen, Fire Country: How Indigenous Fire Management Could Help Save Australia. Richmond, Victoria: Hardie Grant Travel, 2020
  14. Chelsea Watego, Another Day in the Colony. Brisbane, QLD: University of Queensland Press, 2021
  15. Tara June Winch, Swallow the Air. Brisbane, QLD: University of Queensland Press, 2021
  16. Tyson Yunkaporta, Sand Talk: how Indigenous thinking can save the world. Melbourne: Text Publishing, 2019

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Oral Presentation

A 20 minutes oral presentation via Zoom, followed by a class discussion led by the presenter, both reviewing the reading set for a particular topic. A written version of the presentation to be submitted one week after the oral presentation is given.

1000 30.0
Critical Review

A written review of one of the books or TV episodes set for the unit, critically assessing the capacity of the work to creatively engage traditional culture from a contemporary standpoint.

1500 20.0
Essay

An essay or multmedia presentation reflecting critically on the ways in which contemporary Aboriginal culture and spirituality is both different to, and continuous with, older traditions. The unit guide will provide futher information.

2000 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 15 Mar, 2024

Unit record last updated: 2024-03-15 10:24:34 +1100