UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit examines the way Indigenous artists, practitioners, knowledge holders and communities have responded to and worked with their cultural heritage in museums, collections, and archives. It also closely examines the methods and ideas of Indigenous cultural practitioners in areas such as contemporary art, writing, photography, and film. The unit will consider the ways Indigenous creatives have subverted and challenged colonial representations; been innovatively engaged in the continuance and revitalisation of cultural practices; and have worked to decolonise and Indigenise museum and curatorial practices. It will examine key debates around Indigenous representations, cultural heritage and the museum through the perspectives of Indigenous practitioners and writers. This unit will involve practical and critically engaged on-site learning within museum, collection and exhibition contexts on campus. It will feature guest teachers and speakers who are creative practitioners and museum professionals. As this is a compressed unit (running over seven weeks) that will involve active engagement throughout, students must be able to attend both lectures and tutorials in person.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 2 option in the Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage; Media and Communication; Art History and Curatorial Studies major sequences
• Level 2 elective

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of Indigenous perspectives and methods across different forms of cultural production; (2) critically analyse perspectives and issues related to Indigenous representation, cultural heritage, and museums; (3) research the historical and cultural contexts of Indigenous representation, cultural heritage and museums; (4) demonstrate knowledge of these subjects in writing and other media, employing creative and reflective methods where appropriate and including Indigenous voices; (5) demonstrate communicative skills in engagement and participation assessments, and in written assessments; and (6) demonstrate independent research skills in sourcing information and referencing..

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) engagement and participation assessments; (2) short creative piece; and (3) research essay with reflective component. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Jessyca Hutchens

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Successful completion of

any level 1 Unit(s) from the Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage major
or HIST1100 Aboriginal History

Incompatibility

Successful completion of

VISA2051 Curatorial Practices
or INDG3500 Image, Representation and Appropriation

Contact hours

Seven weeks compressed mode: Three hours per week