Indigenous studies elective units for all students
Our Indigenous studies elective units aim to build understanding, recognition and validity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ ways of Valuing, Being, Knowing and Doing. They are offered as part of NIKERI’s commitment to fostering productive and meaningful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all other Australians that shape and co-construct a shared contemporary Australian narrative.
Explore elective units
These units provide the opportunity to reflect and come to a deeper understanding about self, others and Country. Units are offered at multiple campuses or online. Elective units are open to all students. Follow the link to the Handbook entry to find when and where (including online) the unit is available.
Introduction to Aboriginal Studies
A comprehensive and engaging exploration of both traditional and contemporary experience and expression of Australian Aboriginal culture, knowledges, histories and identities from an Indigenous standpoint.
Aboriginal Australian Stories and Songlines
Examines Aboriginal Australian storytelling methods across a variety of historical and contemporary mediums: oral storytelling, paintings and artwork, film, television music, dance, literature and online spaces.
Caring for Country
Compares Western, Eastern and Indigenous practices and philosophies in relation to Country. Looks at how Australian Indigenous knowledge systems have shaped practices applicable for current environmental management strategies.
Australian Aboriginal Holistic Health and Healing
Examines Australian Aboriginal holistic approaches to social and emotional health, healing and wellbeing. Explores the ongoing impact of colonisation on Aboriginal peoples' social and emotional health.
Politics of Resistance in Indigenous Australia
Discusses the resistance of Indigenous peoples to European occupation and the ensuing colonial systems that sought to control their lives. Explores why Indigenous peoples continue to resist in the face of persistent social, economic and political discrimination.
Working Alongside Aboriginal Communities
Understand ways to work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including families, organisations and communities. A holistic approach identifies respectful and responsive methods of engaging on Country.
Australian Indigenous Education: Recognition, Relationships and Reconciliation
This unit provides pre-service teachers an opportunity to encounter and reflect on key concepts that focus on identities, knowledges and histories from the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences and wisdoms.
Please note: This unit is restricted to students in select courses, as outlined in the Handbook.
Rankings and footnotes
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
We deliberately use the terms Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Indigenous, First Nations, First Peoples interchangeably and in doing so acknowledge that while people have personal preferences, none of these terms are perfect and with that imperfection each carry nuanced residual forms of colonial power. This content is developed with the core value of respect.
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Get more information on how to take an Indigenous studies elective unit.