Overview
In this unit you will critique approaches to community engagement with First Nations community members, communities and agencies within your disciplinary context. You will study culturally appropriate principles and strategies for community engagement, participatory planning and stakeholder relationships. Drawing on transdisciplinary perspectives from First Nations studies, community development, history, planning, natural resource planning, public health and sociology, you will learn to evaluate the requirements of First Nations community engagement. You will develop a professional approach to First Nations community engagement in your disciplinary context.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
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 Undergraduate 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 Teaching Reflection
Students appreciated having a First Nations and non-Indigenous unit coodinators work together on this unit.
Continue to work with the Office of Indigenous Engagement to co-coordinate the unit.
Feedback from Teaching Reflection
Materials and tutorials with the ALC helped with student engagement.
Continue to work with the ALC to present dedicated materials and tutorials.
Feedback from Teaching Reflection Meetings with HoC
Specific changes will be required for the Paramedicine student to meet accreditation requirements.
Continue to work with the HoC Paramedicine and other paramedicine academics to ensure that the unit meets accreditation requirements.
- Discuss the importance of cultural and historical awareness of First Nations community engagement within Australia and globally
- Critique the key issues that shape contemporary discourses of First Nations community engagement
- Identify the implications of diverse approaches to First Nations community engagement in discipline specific contexts
- Identify professional practice factors that facilitate quality community engagement plans, programs and services for First Nations peoples and communities in discipline specific contexts
- Develop culturally appropriate community engagement plans for First Nations peoples and communities based on discipline specific principles.
N/A
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||||
| 2 - Presentation - 60% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microphone and headset
- Microsoft PowerPoint or other program designed to produce presentation slides.
- Zoom access
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
r.preston@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Theme 1: Introduction to First Nations Community Engagement: Why Engage?
Weeks 1 to 2
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - Moodle book, narrated PowerPoint/lecture, e-Readings and online discussion forum.
Micro-Credential PDC151653 First Nations Cultural Awareness Training (Level 1)
Micro-credential PDC115414: A Guide to First Nations Community Engagement at CQUniversity.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Optional Zoom Tutorial: Introduction to Unit and Assessment 1: Week 2
Module/Topic
Theme 2: First Nations Communities, Stakeholders and Levels of Engagement: WHO to engage with?
Weeks 3, 4, and 5
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - Moodle book, narrated PowerPoint/lecture, e-Readings and online discussion forum.
Micro-Credential PDC151653 First Nations Cultural Awareness Training (Level 1)
Micro-credential PDC115414: A Guide to First Nations Community Engagement at CQUniversity.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete Micro-credential PDC151653 First Nations Cultural Awareness (Level 1) at CQUniversity for submission of certificate with Assessment 1.
Case Study Due: Week 5 Friday (12 Dec 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Theme 3: Approaches and Strategies for First Nations Community Engagement: HOW to Engage
Weeks 6, 7 and 8
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - Moodle book, narrated PowerPoint/lecture, e-Readings and online discussion forum.
Micro-credential PDC115414: A Guide to First Nations Community Engagement at CQUniversity.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Optional Zoom Tutorial: Assessment 2: Week 8
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Theme 4: Evaluating Impact and Reflecting on Practice – HOW to Learn and Improve
Weeks 9, 10, 11
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - Moodle book, narrated PowerPoint/lecture, e-Readings and online discussion forum.
Micro-credential PDC115414: A Guide to First Nations Community Engagement at CQUniversity.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Unit Review
Assessment Preparation
Chapter
Overview of Unit: Narrative PowerPoint/Lecture
Micro-credential PDC115414: A Guide to First Nations Community Engagement at CQUniversity.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete Micro-credential PDC115414: A Guide to First Nations Community Engagement at CQUniversity for submission of certificate with Assessment 2.
Engagement Plan Due: Week 12 Friday (13 Feb 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
In this assessment you will choose one of the four case studies outlined on the Moodle and undertake the initial research and develop an outline for the Final Assessment 2: Engagement Plan. The locations are real to give some locational and historical context, but the scenarios are entirely fictional. Alternatively, if you have your own project, please contact the Unit Coordinators for permission before starting the assessment. If you choose this option, you will also need to email a case study outline (use the same headings in the case studies provided) by Monday 9.00am week 3.
Your short report should include all the essential elements outlined in the preparation guide including, but not limited to:
- Overview of the Community
- Location and background to the project and/or group
- History of the area including First Nations historical and/or traditional peoples
- Identification of stakeholders and their priorities (Native Title, if relevant, community-controlled organisations, traditional custodians and other First Nations communities and organisations)
- Principles (drawn from the 9 principles discussed in Theme 1) and aims of your community engagement strategy
- Evidence of Completion of Micro-credential PDC151653 First Nations Cultural Awareness Training (Level 1) - Certificate
Word limit: 1500 – 2000 words. (-/+ 10%)
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 5 Friday (12 Dec 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 7 Friday (9 Jan 2026)
Case Studies will be marked using criterion-referenced assessment. There is a detailed marking criteria on Moodle:
- 20% Overview of the community and project
- 30% Identification of stakeholders and priorities
- 20% Principles and aims of engagement strategy
- 10% Reflective Positionality and evidence of completion of Micro-Credential PDC151653 First Nations Cultural Awareness Training (Level 1) (certificate)
- 15% Report Presentation - grammar, formatting, layout, terminology
- 5% Referencing
- Discuss the importance of cultural and historical awareness of First Nations community engagement within Australia and globally
- Critique the key issues that shape contemporary discourses of First Nations community engagement
- Identify the implications of diverse approaches to First Nations community engagement in discipline specific contexts
2 Presentation
Your final assessment is the presentation of an Engagement Plan, that will incorporate details you have learned throughout term.
You will use your Assessment 1 submission and feedback to develop this presentation.
Your audience will be a First Nations community.
Format: Undertake a community presentation using the format below. The format can be adapted as needed but must contain the essential components. See the preparation guide on the Moodle for further details.
Essential Components:
1. Title page: title, your name, unit name, date
2. Introduction to your presentation, yourself and what you will present. Acknowledgement of country, You and your positionality
3. Background: Include the principles and aims of your strategy, definitions, benefits and risks to this project.
4. The Project: location/background detail that you included in your Case Study assessment piece (you will need to make updates to this information for this assessment piece).
5. The stakeholders
6. Recommended strategies for engaging the community or stakeholders
7. Discussion
8. Conclusion and recommendations provide a closing statement/summary/take home message
9. References
10. Appendices (if required)
11. A handout or materials that you would give to the community
12. Evidence of Completion of Micro-credential PDC115414: A Guide to First Nations Community Engagement at CQUniversity
An example PowerPoint layout and material you could discuss with the community will be discussed in the assessment Zoom session.
Length
10-15 minutes
Presentation Format
Students should upload their presentation to the student 360echo (see detailed instructions in the Moodle).
Students must also submit a copy of their slides (pdf), speaking notes (Microsoft word), their community information handout/materials and their certificate of completion of micro-credential PDC115414: A Guide to First Nations Community Engagement at CQUniversity on the Moodle
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Submission
• Recorded Presentation
• Slides (pdf),
• Speaking notes (Microsoft word) - including statement of use of AI
• Community information handout/materials
• Evidence of completion of micro-credential PDC115414: A Guide to First Nations Community Engagement at CQUniversity (certificate)
Week 12 Friday (13 Feb 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Three weeks after submission
This assessment will be marked according to a criterion (see Moodle site for full marking rubric):
15% Introduction, Location and Background
15% Stakeholders
25% Recommended strategies for engaging stakeholders and evidence of completion of micro-credential PDC115414: A Guide to First Nations Community Engagement at CQUniversity
20% Discussion and Conclusion
10% Presentation Skills
5% Visual Aids
10% Community material/handout
- Discuss the importance of cultural and historical awareness of First Nations community engagement within Australia and globally
- Critique the key issues that shape contemporary discourses of First Nations community engagement
- Identify the implications of diverse approaches to First Nations community engagement in discipline specific contexts
- Identify professional practice factors that facilitate quality community engagement plans, programs and services for First Nations peoples and communities in discipline specific contexts
- Develop culturally appropriate community engagement plans for First Nations peoples and communities based on discipline specific principles.
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?
