Overview
The unit Indigenous Studies and Learning will develop your knowledge and understanding of historical factors that impact on the engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners and families in education. The policy and action of governments and media representations are analysed, discussed and compared with Indigenous perspectives on race relations and past events with an emphasis on developing understanding and appreciation of contemporary Indigenous Australian identity and culture. Pedagogies for working effectively and appropriately with Indigenous Australians, families and communities including current systemic initiatives and policies are evaluated in terms of their suitability for students in rural, remote and urban Australian communities. You will consider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander world views and your own and others' attitudes to Indigenous people to defend the selection of teaching strategies aimed at promoting reconciliation and effective learning relationships with students, families and communities.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Admission to a postgraduate course or completion of 72 credit points in an undergraduate course.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 3 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student SUTE
Shorten tutorial length
Keep the tutorials at 1.5 hours as opposed to 2 hours.
Feedback from Student SUTE
Use readings for critical discussion
Include opportunities for focused critical discussion in tutorials.
Feedback from Tutorial feedback Student SUTE
Students dislike some aspects of the assessment tasks
Review assessment task requirements.
- Use culturally appropriate terminology and protocols when referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture and histories
- Analyse the impact of deficit views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students on learning and engagement
- Analyse and respond to representations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in contemporary and historical texts and their impact on race relations with non-Indigenous Australians
- Critique government policies and approaches to the education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in past and present society
- Explain the effect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander world views and the concept of relatedness on the learning styles of Indigenous students
- Justify the use of strategies that cater for the diversity of experience, identity and linguistic background of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and communities
- Evaluate the capacity of current programs and initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, families and communities for promoting engagement and participation in education.
Successful completion of this unit provides opportunities for students to demonstrate the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers focus areas of:
1.1 Physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students
1.3 Students with diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds
1.4 Strategies for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
2.4 Understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non Indigenous Australians
3.7 Engage parents/carers in the educative process
4.1 Support student participation
7.3 Engage with the parents/carers
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 0% | |||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||||||
| 3 - Portfolio - 50% | |||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||||||
| 2 - Communication | |||||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||||||
| 4 - Research | |||||||
| 5 - Self-management | |||||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||||||
| 7 - Leadership | |||||||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||||
Textbooks
Learning and Teaching in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
Edition: 4 (2021)
Authors: Neil Harrison and Juanita Sellwood
Oxford University Press
Oxford Oxford , England
ISBN: 9780190329396
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
k.daietti@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Teaching in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
A Shared Australian history x 1
Chapter
Tutorial 1a:
1) Chapter 1 prescribed textbook (Harrison & Sellwood): Beginning teachers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
2) White Privilege and Male Privilege + Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack (2 chapters) pp. 30 – 45 (McIntosh).
3) https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/accessible-and-inclusive-content/inclusive-language/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples
Tutorial 1b:
1) Chapter 2 prescribed textbook (Harrison & Sellwood): Our shared Australian story
2) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures (ACARA, 2016).
3) Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
4) Indigenous family life in Australia: A history of difference and deficit
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
A Shared Australian History - continued
The Impacts of Past Policies on Australian Cultures and Identity x1
Chapter
Tutorial 2a:
1) Chapter 3 prescribed textbook (Harrison & Sellwood): Teaching about the Stolen Generations
2) A Formidable challenge: Australia’s quest for equity in Indigenous education (Gray & Beresford, 2008). This is needed for AT2.
3) The media's coverage of 'Closing the Gap' in Australian education (Hefferman & Maxwell, 2020).
Tutorial 2b:
1. Advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Training (QLD Government)
2. Community Guide to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
3. The NT intervention and human rights
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Impacts of Past Policies on Australian Cultures and Identity - continued
Culture and Identity - Ways of Knowing, Learning and Being
Chapter
Tutorial 3a:
1) Chapter 6 prescribed textbook (Harrison & Sellwood): Trauma-aware schooling practices
2) Bringing them Home (Read, 1998)
3) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-08/voice-referendum-1967-cherbourg-ruth-hegarty/102935126
Tutorial 3b:
1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Action Plan (QLD Government, 2023-2024).
2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies handbook (QSA, 2010)
3. Advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education: An Action Plan for Queensland (QLD Government, 2019).
4. Chapter 4 prescribed textbook (Harrison & Sellwood): Strategies for Teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
5. Chapter 5 prescribed textbook (Harrison & Sellwood): Teaching reading and writing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
Events and Submissions/Topic
AT1 Online Quiz (Pass/Fail) 100%
Due: Week 3 Thursday 27th Nov 2025 11:45 pm AEST
2nd December is census date. This is the last date for students to withdraw from the course without academic penalty.
Guest speaker this week.
AT1: Online Quiz Due: Week 3 Thursday (27 Nov 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Quality Educational Practices x 2: The 8 Ways of Learning and
Learning on Country
Chapter
Tutorial 4a:
1. Chapter 7 prescribed textbook (Harrison & Sellwood): Ways of Teaching Traditional Knowledges
2. Seeking a pedagogy of Difference (Lewthwaite, 2015).
3. 8 Aboriginal ways of learning factsheet.
Tutorial 4b:
1. Chapter 9: Learning from Country (Harrison & Sellwood, 2021)
2. Chapter 8: The role of a student’s first language in the classroom (Harrison & Sellwood, 2016)
3. Anywhere can be home – Bree’s Teacher Transfer Tales
4. Aboriginal Pedagogy – 8 Ways
Events and Submissions/Topic
Guest speaker in this week's tutorial.
AT2 essay 50%
Due: Week 4 Thursday 4th December 2025 11.45 pm AEST
Written Assessment Task Due: Week 4 Thursday (4 Dec 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Quality Educational Practices x 1
Relationships, Community Partnerships and Strategies for Indigenous Education x 1
Chapter
Tutorial 5a:
1. The Australian Curriculum V9: https://v9.australiancurriculum.edu.au/
2. Effective Behaviour Management Strategies for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students: A Literature Review
Tutorial 5b:
Chapter 8: Building Community Partnerships (Harrison & Sellwood, 2021).
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AT3 written task 50%
Due: Week 8 Thursday 15th January 2026 11.45 pm AEST
Portfolio Due: Week 8 Thursday (15 Jan 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
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Students to familiarise themselves with the unit layout prior to tutorial 1.
The tutorials are organised on the basis that students complete some work (reading, watching videos) prior to each tutorial. These required tasks will be used in tutorials either as a class discussion or as a breakout activity.
Students to look at the reading requirements prior to tutorial 1.
This unit is run in an intensive mode. All content will be covered in 5 weeks - 2 tutorials per week.
Online attendance is highly recommended, but all tutorials will be recorded and uploaded for those students who cannot make the live session.
Students going on practicum placement in January 2026 cannot request an extension for AT3.
All assessments must be passed in order to pass the unit.
The word count of all assessments starts with the first word of the introduction and ends with the last word of the conclusion. In-text citations are included in the word count but the references list and appendices are not. There is a 10% leniency (+/-) in the word count, but please note that the marker will stop marking at the 10% point. For example, if the word count is 1500 you can go under or over by 10%. If you go over, the marker will stop marking at 1650 words which is 10%.
AI Assessment Scale: Level 2 (AT2 and AT3). No AI use is permitted for AT1.
You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
1 Online Quiz(zes)
Task Description
AT1 quiz tests your knowledge and understanding of protocols and terminology associated with working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Using the correct terminology and understanding the protocols shows respect to our First Nations people.
This assessment specifically addresses Standards 1.4 and 2.4 of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and is designed to measure your ability to:
· Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds (APST 1.4).
· Demonstrate broad knowledge of, understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages (APST 2.4).
Please note: AI cannot be used for this task.
Please note: The 72-Hour grace period does NOT apply to this task.
Other
Week 3 Thursday (27 Nov 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Online in Moodle
Week 3 Thursday (27 Nov 2025)
Quiz results are marked automatically and are available immediately upon completion.
Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander terminology and protocols.
Specifically, students must:
Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds (APST 1.4).
Demonstrate broad knowledge of, understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages (APST 2.4).
Students must get 100% on the quiz in order to proceed with the unit. Students can attempt the quiz as many times as they like in order to pass.
Please note that students will not be able to access AT2 or AT3 until they have passed AT1 with the required 100%. Please ensure to tick the box once you have completed AT1. If this is not done, AT2 will not appear.
- Use culturally appropriate terminology and protocols when referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture and histories
2 Written Assessment
Use an essay format (WORD document not PDF) and structure to write a response of no more than 1500 words (+/- 10%) (excluding the List of References) that clearly establishes your position in response to the focus statement. In doing so, please be guided by the following:
1) Your response will be informed by the material covered in the unit, including readings provided or linked to on the Moodle site, and our eReading list. It is expected that you will use our prescribed textbook. The use and relevance of the literature used should be demonstrated by in-text citations and a list of references. If you wish to use alternative peer-reviewed resources, please seek permission from the UC.
2) Your paper will aim to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of past and present representations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and government policy on race relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. This may be achieved through a discussion of a selection of past and current events, policy approaches and their effects, perspectives and interpretations of the effects of colonisation, racism and dispossession, and other such topical aspects introduced and covered in the unit. The topical points to be included in the discussion need to be selected so that they support your response to the focus statement while being sufficiently diverse to demonstrate your understanding of the broader range of topics covered in the unit.
3) Your paper will include a section that outlines your own personal reflections on the impact of a shared Australian history, and also of your own cultural background on the attitudes and views you have formed of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as students and learners. In doing so, you should make explicit reference to your participation in three (3) learning experiences from the unit activities that have:
a) shaped your perspectives on the importance of teachers’ acknowledgement, recognition and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and cultures (1)
b) show how the identity needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students might be supported (1) and
c) how teaching can promote reconciliation within classroom contexts and the broader school community (1).
AI Assessment Scale: Level 2
You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Your paper will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (especially Standards 1.4 and 2.4) by making a direct comparison and referencing them when relevant to your response and reflections. Your paper will also demonstrate a practical understanding of the use of appropriate terminology by employing acceptable and respectful terminology when referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families, communities, and students.
Please note: The 72-Hour grace period applies to this task.
Week 4 Thursday (4 Dec 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Online via Moodle
Assessments will be returned once moderation has taken place
Knowledge and understanding of the diverse Australian Indigenous histories, cultures, and languages (APST 2.4).
Analysis of the impact of historical government policy and past and present representations on culture and identity of Australian Indigenous peoples and students (APST 2.4).
Critical reflection on the range of perspectives on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and identity and the impact these views have on engagement and participation in education and care settings (APST 2.4).
Use of culturally appropriate language and academic conventions to construct a defensible position in response to the stimulus (APST 1.4 & 2.4).
- Use culturally appropriate terminology and protocols when referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture and histories
- Analyse the impact of deficit views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students on learning and engagement
- Analyse and respond to representations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in contemporary and historical texts and their impact on race relations with non-Indigenous Australians
- Critique government policies and approaches to the education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in past and present society
3 Portfolio
Justification of strategies for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, families and communities
Throughout the unit, you have examined a range of strategies and resources for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners, families and communities and for teaching the history of Australia in respectful ways that promote reconciliation.
For this task, you will select and describe the strategies you would use to engage Indigenous students in learning in educational settings and explain why you think they would work.
Task Details
1800 words (including in text-citations) (+/-10%) + reference list
PART ONE:
You will identify:
1) 6 strategies (in total) with brief examples that show consideration of students' cultural, identity and linguistic needs + strategies with brief examples for working effectively and sensitively with families and communities to support the learning and engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
AND
2) Your work can be presented in a format of your choices such as a table, matrix, written report or a multi-modal form that includes diagrams, flowcharts or any other format suitable for identifying and describing the chosen strategies. A word limit of 800 words (or equivalent for tables, diagrams etc.) applies to this section of the task. You may use sub-headings for your chosen strategies.
PART TWO:
You will provide a justification of no more than 1000 words that clearly explains why the above listed strategies would meet the cultural, linguistic and identity needs of Indigenous learners, as well as how to work effectively and sensitively with families and their communities. You should identify any limitations on the effectiveness of these strategies in a range of different contexts. This justification should consider the diversity of needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in rural, remote and urban areas and educational settings made up solely of Indigenous learners, as well as those where only a small minority of students are Indigenous. Your justification will be supported by references from the prescribed textbook and unit readings. Should you wish to use alternative peer-reviewed resources, please seek permission from the UC.
ALTERNATIVE FORMAT
You may prefer to present this work as one piece, rather than in two separate parts. This is acceptable as long as you cover all the necessary content, adhering to the criteria sheet.
AI Assessment Scale: Level 2
You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Please note: The 72-Hour grace period applies to this task.
Week 8 Thursday (15 Jan 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Online via Moodle
Assessments will be returned once moderation has taken place.
Knowledge and understanding of the impact of Indigenous cultural identity on learning. APST 1.4 & 2.4
Application of knowledge of Indigenous cultures to the selection of strategies for relationship building that support educational equity and performance. APST 1.4
Knowledge of language backgrounds and the diversity of student characteristics that affect the learning of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. APST 2.4
Use of authoritative sources to justify strategy selection
- Use culturally appropriate terminology and protocols when referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture and histories
- Analyse the impact of deficit views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students on learning and engagement
- Explain the effect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander world views and the concept of relatedness on the learning styles of Indigenous students
- Justify the use of strategies that cater for the diversity of experience, identity and linguistic background of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and communities
- Evaluate the capacity of current programs and initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, families and communities for promoting engagement and participation in education.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
