Course Outline

SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia

Course Coordinator:Bridgette Williams (bwillia6@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2025Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course will introduce you to Indigenous Society, Culture and Values. You will begin to understand and appreciate the complexity of Indigenous world-views and this in relation to western worldviews in an Australian context. You will further explore and analyse Australian historical policies that have impacted Indigenous Peoples and examine how this has influenced Indigenous contemporary Society. You will explore your own values and develop your positionality to identify your culturally responsive professional practice and how you can positively contribute to the strength and resilience of Indigenous Peoples in Australia.  

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Content required for workshop discussion and assessment preparation 1hr Week 1 11 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Tutorials 2hrs Week 1 11 times
Online
Learning materials – Content required for workshop discussion and assessment preparation 1hr Week 1 11 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online tutorial 2hrs Week 1 11 times

Course Topics

Overview of Indigenous Society, Culture and Values in an Australian context

Self values, worldview and positionality

Introduction to historical policies relating to Indigenous Australia 

Understanding the impacts and influence of your positionality on Indigenous Australian Society 

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Demonstrate an understanding of the history and contemporary context of Indigenous Australian society, cultural values and worldviews Knowledgeable
2 Critique your values, worldview and positionality Empowered
3 Analyse impacts of colonial worldviews and policies on Indigenous Australian society Creative and critical thinker
4 Demonstrate cultural competence through critical reflexivity Creative and critical thinker
5 Ethically communicate academic research and collaborate with peers in a group context Ethical

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Timely and detailed feedback is provided for each assessment. Feedback is provided both within text and general comments to build scholarly skills. Students are able to seek feedback through face-to-face discussion with the course coordinator. Tutorials will include extended discussion and review of the assessment task requirements and scope.	

Present an Essay Plan in Week 4 in your tutorial to gain early feedback. Details of Essay Plan to be discussed in Week 1. 

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Artefact - Creative Individual 25%
This task will be in Word doc or PowerPoint file format - Present your Positionality
Week 4 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Oral Group 40%
12-15 minute in-class group presentation
Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All 3 Artefact - Creative Individual 35%
3-5 minute video
Week 12 Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Poster
Goal:
The goal of this assessment is to to identify and analyse your values, worldviews and positionality.
Product: Artefact - Creative
Format:
Digital poster submitted via Canvas
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Identification of key theories and concepts
1
2
Analysis of values, world views and positionality
2
3
Ethically communicate research
5
Generic Skills:
Communication, Organisation, Applying technologies
All - Assessment Task 2:Group Presentation
Goal:
To describe and analyse historical Indigenous Australian policies and present in a creative and engaging format in class
Product: Oral
Format:
Group presentation to be presented in class roughly from weeks 6-9. The group PowerPoint slides to be submitted via Canvas after your presentation
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Description of a key historical Indigenous policy
1
2
Describe the relation between colonial and Indigenous worldviews and cultural values
1
3
Critique and analyse the impacts of colonial worldviews on Australian Indigenous society
3
4
Collaborate with peers to produce an oral presentation
5
5
Ethically communicate
5
Generic Skills:
Communication, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Video Reflection
Goal:
Demonstrate your critical reflections of the course content.
Product: Artefact - Creative
Format:
Recorded and submitted via Canvas Studio
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Describe key theories, policies and historical events from course content
1
2
Critically reflect on course material through a reflexive framework
4
3
Analyse how your positionality and course knowledge contributes to cultural competence
4
4
Ethically communicate
5
Generic Skills:
Communication, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au