Getting Started
There are some significant issues which need to be considered in the incorporation of Indigenous content within undergraduate programs, including:
- CSU programs vary significantly in the extent to which they are currently including Indigenous content within their undergraduate or post-graduate programs along a dimension ranging from 'very little Indigenous content' through to 'a well-developed program'
- Every program within disciplines across CSU is structured differently and will incorporate Indigenous content differently, depending on local and workforce needs.
- The expertise and resources available will also vary significantly, with some programs able to draw on a wealth of experience and expertise while other programs may have few staff with expertise in these areas
- Many programs are struggling to provide adequate financial and other resources for the development of new or additional curriculum areas such as Indigenous content
This section of the guidelines suggests some starting points, depending on where your program sits along this continuum.
Establishing Gaps
How much Indigenous content is currently being offered within your program?
Existing content may be included as separate topics, small modules or components within existing subjects within the program or as separate 'stand-alone' subjects offered within the program. A mapping exercise including a survey across all staff teaching subjects within the program should enable you to determine the nature and extent of existing Indigenous Australian content and identify the subjects in which student knowledge and understanding of this content is currently being assessed. The following steps are suggested to assist Schools and Faculties establish the degree of Indigenous content offered within their programs:
- Map the current level and nature of Indigenous content within the program and its various subjects. As a template you might find useful a template (word.doc) developed by Dr Jillene Harris in the School of Psychology and adjust it to suit your Course needs.
- Determine whether this is sufficient to meet the expectations of the profession and the accrediting agencies and the CSU policy on the incorporation of Indigenous Australian content
- Identify whether there is a need to further develop content in this area
- Establish an Indigenous advisory group for the school or program to guide the development of appropriate content
Possible strategies for expanding the incorporation of Indigenous Australian content
As indicated elsewhere, there are a range of strategies for including Indigenous Australian content, including the provision of 'stand-alone' subjects dealing specifically with Indigenous Australian Studies, courses which include large amounts of Indigenous content integrated within areas such as 'cross-cultural psychology' and the inclusion of Indigenous content as topics or modules within existing subjects. As noted elsewhere, there are some significant benefits in the establishment of stand-alone subjects which provide a focussed background to Indigenous studies, linking the content quite specifically to the discipline area. Many universities already offer similar subjects within other professional areas (education, nursing and health sciences, social work, etc.). It may be useful to explore whether such subjects already exist within CSU and, if so, whether a similar subject could be made available to your students. For example, the Centre for Indigenous Studies offers a number of stand-alone Indigenous Australian subjects including IKC101 Aboriginal Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities, IKC100 Aboriginal Health and THL225 Aboriginal Spirituality and Culture which are designed to provide the contextual framework required by the cultural competency pedagogical framework.
Models for Incorporating Indigenous Australian Content
Stand-alone Indigenous Australian Studies provides contextual foundation for integrated discipline specific Indigenous content in remainder of program.
Developmental model of cultural competence
