Introduction to Australian Indigenous Studies
Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne is an exciting interdisciplinary program that offers students an opportunity to learn about the history and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Australian Indigenous Studies Program in the Faculty of Arts has undergone rapid development in the last two years. Under the guidance of the Academic Coordinator, Philip Morrissey, it has experienced major growth in student numbers, developed an interdisciplinary major, and is seen as a critical element in the University of Melbourne’s commitment to Australian Indigenous Studies. This commitment has been formalised with the formation of the Murrup Barak - Melbourne Institute for Indigenous Development. The Foundation Chair is Professor Marcia Langton, whose appointment created the opportunity to bring together diverse teaching and research on Indigenous topics within a coordinated program.
Australian Indigenous Studies enables students to develop deep and nuanced intellectual positions and critically and analytically engage with historical and contemporary issues in Australian society. Australian Indigenous Studies has an evolving disciplinary identity that incorporates and acknowledges diverse cultural frameworks, allowing students to consider issues from complex and multifaceted perspectives.
Subjects offered reflect the rich diversity of the field of Australian Indigenous studies, themes include:
- Indigenous arts and literature
- Indigenous histories in film and sport
- key thinkers and concepts
- Australian environmental ethics
- historicism
- Aboriginal women
- Indigenous health
- Aboriginal land, law and philosophy
A major in Australian Indigenous Studies is offered for undergraduate students. Students with a degree in any discipline are eligible to complete the Graduate Certificate in Arts (Australian Indigenous Studies) or the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Australian Indigenous Studies). Current subject listings are available via the Australian Indigenous Studies website.
Specialised postgraduate research opportunities are available in the Australian Indigenous Studies program. Key areas of interest include Australian Indigenous literature, contemporary culture, philosophy, identity and critical theory.
Australian Indigenous Studies is relevant to employment opportunities in a number of fields, including the public service, education, legal and medical professions, the arts, cultural heritage preservation, and land and natural resource management.