Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage major
The Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage major comprises an interdisciplinary course that will provide you with an opportunity to learn about the history, culture and philosophy of Aboriginal peoples in Australia. The units offered enable you to critically engage with the issues covered, across a number of disciplines, and connect to contemporary Australian social issues. Studying a major in Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage will give you a strong grounding in Aboriginal knowledge systems as well as Western disciplinary constructs around Indigenous knowledge and peoples. Graduates gain a broad understanding and knowledge of Aboriginal people, and their ability to work appropriately and effectively with Indigenous peoples is enhanced. They increase their ability to work in culturally competent ways and develop flexible, generic and portable skills essential to a changing global environment.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate a knowledge of the experience, history and culture of Aboriginal peoples with a particular focus on Western Australia; (2) demonstrate an understanding of Indigenous systems of knowledge and the relevance of these systems across a broad range of disciplines; (3) critically evaluate representations of Aboriginal peoples in historical and academic discourse; (4) demonstrate a knowledge of ethical paradigms in Aboriginal research and conduct independent research; (5) demonstrate an awareness of the major historical and cultural issues that inform present day Aboriginal disadvantage; and (6) clearly express ideas in discussion and writing.
Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP001 Bachelor of Arts
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage is a degree-specific single major comprising:
- two Level 1 units
- three Level 2 units
- three Level 3 units
- one Level 3 complementary unit
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2021 |
Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2022 or 2023.
Level 1
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | INDG1150 | Aboriginal Encounters: Strangers in our Backyard |
|
| S1 | INDG1160 | Boodjar Moort Katitjin: Introduction to Indigenous Heritage and Knowledge |
Take the following complementary unit:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | PACM1101 | Communication in Practice |
|
Level 2
Take the following unit:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | INDG2300 | Indigenous Knowledge: Mind, Body and Spirit |
|
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ARTF2000 | Curatorial Practices |
|
| S2 | HIST2016 | When Empire Strikes: Imperial Expansion, Resistance, and Rights from Europe to Australasia | |
| S2 | INDG2500 | Looking North: The Wild West |
|
| S2 | INDG2600 | Indigenous Representation |
|
| S2 | INDG2700 | Knowing Country: The Dreaming and Darwin |
|
| N/A | INDG2800 | Indigenous Ways of Knowing 2 (Intermediate) |
|
Level 3
Take the following unit:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | INDG3300 | Indigenous Research |
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | HIST3014 | Intimate Strangers: Journeys in Indigenous Australian History |
|
| S1 | INDG3400 | Indigenous People and Global Issues | |
| N/A | INDG3700 | Sharing Space | |
| N/A | INDG3800 | Indigenous Ways of Knowing 3 (Advanced) |
|
Choosing your degree-specific major
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music
You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course. (You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.)
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.
General degrees
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how the Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Arts course.
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .
Choosing a second major
You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.
The following example illustrates how the Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage degree-specific major can be combined with a second major in the Bachelor of Arts course.
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .