Core Cultural Learning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia Foundation Course: Module Descriptions
Module 0: Introduction
Module 0 is your introduction to the course and explains its aims and objectives, and offers some useful tips to help you maximise your learning outcomes.
Module 1: Thinking About Cultures and Identities
Module 1 gives you the opportunity to reflect on the notion of culture and how your own cultural influences impact how you think and behave toward others. It is a critical first step towards (re)thinking about how to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and peoples from other diverse cultural backgrounds.
Module 2: My Country, Our Country
Module 2 is an introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and worldviews. It provides you with key statistical information; explains the central importance of ‘Country’ and introduces the fundamental elements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander laws and societies.
Module 3: History Lives in Us
Module 3 explores how events and policies in the past have shaped the identities and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. The Module looks at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activism; the ‘rights’ movement and campaigns waged by key organisations in the lead up to the establishment of the Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal Affairs in 1972.
Module 4: Too Much and Not Enough Change: Commonwealth Indigenous Affairs
Module 4 provides an overview of the complex world of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs; examines some of the key policy approaches of governments since 1972; and explores how the numerous changes have, over time, led to current policy frameworks and administrative arrangements.
Module 5: Communities in Control: Recognising the role of community organisations
Module 5 gives you an insight into the unique attributes of the thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations, collectively known as the ‘community-controlled’ sector. It explores the vital role these organisations play in areas such as health, housing, education, youth, employment and justice and explains the benefits of working more effectively in partnership with them to drive positive change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Module 6: Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Rights to Country
Module 6 explores Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, particularly those relating to land and native title and explains how Australian laws and policies have evolved to recognise and protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ traditional connection to Country.
Module 7: Self-determination and Autonomy
Module 7 examines ‘self-determination’; what it means to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and the ways in which it is expressed — from personal every-days acts to formal agreements with governments. The Module also explores the relationship between self-determination, development and economic participation and prosperity.
Module 8: Engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Module 8 focuses on the important role Commonwealth employees have in engaging with communities and provides tips and suggestions to assist you to develop the capacity to engage effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to achieve sustainable outcomes.
Module 9: Contribution to the Nation
Module 9 celebrates the historical and contemporary contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Australian society and provides an insight into how these contributions have played (and continue to play) a valuable role in shaping our national identity.
Module 10: Continuing Your Journey
Module 10 provides you with a conceptual framework and some useful tools to enable you to continue your cultural learning journey, by embedding the values of diversity and cultural learning into your professional development and workplace culture.