Course: Aboriginal Studies
Overview:
Aboriginal Studies is designed to foster intellectual, social and moral development by enabling students to think critically about the historical and contemporary experiences of Aboriginal peoples. Through this study students will develop a heightened understanding and appreciation of the concepts of social justice and shared histories, and will critically examine their role as active and informed citizens.
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.
Aboriginal Studies is a unique experience for both Aboriginal students and non-Aboriginal students. Aboriginal students are provided with an opportunity for cultural affirmation and positive educational experiences while non-Aboriginal students are able to ‘learn together’ with Aboriginal peoples and communities. All students are encouraged to take an active role in the process of reconciliation.
Topics:
Preliminary Course
Part I – Aboriginality and the Land
Part II – Heritage and Identity
Part III – International Indigenous Community: Comparative Study
Part IV – Research and Inquiry Methods: Local Community Case Study
HSC Course
Part I – Social Justice and Human Rights Issues
A – Global Perspective AND B – Comparative Study
Part II
A case study of an Aboriginal community for each topic:
A. Aboriginality and the Land
OR
B. Heritage and Identity
Part III – Research and Inquiry Methods – Major Project
| Preliminary | HSC |
Research Tasks Formal Examination |
Research Tasks Major Work Submission Trial Examination |
HSC Major Project
The Major Project makes up 40% of the internal HSC mark for the course. It is internally marked.
The Major Project provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in planning, acquiring, processing and communicating information, and participating in community consultation. A project proposal should be submitted before the teacher gives the student approval to begin their project. This will ensure that students have chosen an appropriate and manageable topic that can be explored within the bounds of consultation with Aboriginal People.
HSC Examination Format:
The examination will consist of a written paper worth 100 marks.
Time allowed: 3 hours plus 5 minutes reading time.
Section I – Social Justice and Human Rights Issues
Part A: Global Perspective (25 marks)
● There will be objective response and short-answer questions, including from 5 to 10 objective response questions.
Part B: Comparative Study (15 marks)
● There will be six questions in parts, one for each topic offered in the Comparative Study.
● The expected length of the response is around four examination writing booklet pages (approximately 600 words) in total.
Part C: Global Perspective and Comparative Study (15 marks)
● There will be one extended response question to the value of 15 marks.
● The question requires an integration of the knowledge and understanding of both the Global Perspective and the Comparative Study.
Section II – Research and Inquiry methods (15 marks)
● There will be one question in parts to the value of 15 marks.
Section III – Options (30 marks)
● A stimulus-based extended response question with an expected length of response of around three pages of an examination writing booklet (approximately 400 words), worth 10 marks
● An extended response question with an expected length of response of around six examination writing booklet pages (approximately 800 words), worth 20 marks.
Other helpful information: