Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage

Assist in the recovery of the Wiradjuri language

Why study this course?

CSU’s Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage creates opportunities for students to participate actively in the process of reconciliation and build community capacity in the Wiradjuri community. It provides students with skills to teach the Wiradjuri language in TAFE, non-TAFE providers, community settings and community organisations and to work effectively with the Wiradjuri community in culturally appropriate and sensitive ways.

The course prepares students with well developed cognitive, technical and communication skills to select and apply methods and technologies to analyse and evaluate information to complete a range of activities, generate and transmit solutions to complex problems and transmit knowledge and ideas to others.

Graduates will have an awareness of the need to reverse the centuries of deficit often caused by colonisation, dislocation and dispossession, knowledge of the culture, heritage and history of the Wiradjuri nation. Graduates will also develop skills in teaching and using the Wiradjuri language in community and educational settings, the capacity to work in the Indigenous community in ways that support and develop those communities, and the ability to analyse and think critically and constructively about the factors that promote or impede Indigenous nation rebuilding.

Career opportunities

This is a flexible course that promotes the development of skills in the understanding of Wiradjuri cultural heritage and the continued acquisition of skills in the use and teaching of Wiradjuri language. Graduates who also hold a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment may teach in TAFE or non-TAFE provider settings.

Workplace learning

A professional community placement gives students the opportunity to work with the Wiradjuri community. Students will be given the opportunity to work with a community mentor and members of the Wiradjuri community to identify, negotiate, plan and implement a project which seeks to build the capacity of the community in practical and contributory ways. Students will undertake 50 hours of community placement where they will they will participate in community activities and engage with the knowledge, history, language and culture of that community. Through these activities students will gain experiential insights that will allow them to contribute to the building of better lives and futures for members of that community.

Residential school

This course has a compulsory five-day residential school that will build on students’ previous knowledge of Wiradjuri language. Its main focus will be to develop students’ capacity to hold conversations with one another in Wiradjuri. Indigenous students may be eligible for Away From Base funding to support them for the period of the residential school with such expenses as accommodation and travel.

Course structure

Students will gain valuable skills through subjects with a focus on Wiradjuri language, culture and heritage. They will enhance their understanding of Wiradjuri culture through subjects such as rebuilding Australia's Indigenous nations and professional study in Wiradjuri community development. 

More information about course structure

Graduation requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 32 points (the equivalent of four 8 point subjects).

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Admission requirements

Admittance to this program is via two pathways:

• successful completion of Certificate III in Wiradjuri Language or equivalent, and a personal statement documenting relevant professional or community expertise and/or experience. Examples of relevant professional or community expertise and/or experience could include:
• • professional engagement with members of the Wiradjuri people in either paid employment or in a voluntary capacity
  • teaching Wiradjuri language in TAFE, VET private providers or schools
  • people working with or in the Wiradjuri community in social, support or other capacities.

Proficiency credit for Indigenous knowledges will be assessed at the point of entry.

or

• students who have completed or are completing a university degree and who have completed a Certificate III in Wiradjuri Language or equivalent.

Direct entry application and relevant levels of experience and expertise will be determined by the Course Coordinator and members of the Wiradjuri Council of Elders.

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