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Indigenous Australian Studies at CSU: Some Policy Considerations

Defining 'Indigenous Australian Studies'

The CSU Indigenous Education Strategy identifies four models for the incorporation of Indigenous Australian content into undergraduate programs. It is acknowledged that the incorporation of Indigenous Australian content into professional discipline specific undergraduate programs which are co-provided or require accreditation from professional bodies will require negotiation with the co-provider or accrediting body to ensure that Indigenous Australian content is incorporated in ways which meet professional and pedagogical requirements and guidelines.

The four models described in the Indigenous Education Strategy are:

1. 'Indigenous Australian Studies' - defined as that broad area of inquiry related to Indigenous Australian knowledges, cultures and heritages, histories and issues which impact upon or are of concern to Indigenous peoples and communities today, such as health, education, criminal justice, land rights and Native Title. 'Indigenous Australian Studies' does not cover profession specific studies such as Indigenous clinical health and mental health, Indigenous policing and Indigenous education. 'Indigenous Australian Studies' should be taught as a 'stand-alone' subject in the first year of a program to provide the contextual foundation for integrated content throughout the course of study.
2. 'Discipline-specific Indigenous Australian Studies' - defined as that area of inquiry in Indigenous Studies which is specifically related to the theoretical and practical knowledge required for a professional discipline.  'Discipline-specific Indigenous Australian Studies' should be taught as 'stand-alone' subjects or via integration of relevant Indigenous content throughout the program.
3. 'Hybrid Indigenous Australian Studies' - defined as being a combination of 'Indigenous Australian Studies' and 'Discipline-specific Indigenous Australian Studies'. 'Hybrid Indigenous Australian Studies' provide an effective strategy for the incorporation of Indigenous content into 'crowded' discipline-specific programs such as psychology.
4. 'Restricted Indigenous Studies' - defined as those subjects in which enrolment is restricted to Indigenous Australian students.