Overview
This unit introduces you to the complexity, richness, diversity, and continuing development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' context and culture. You will learn how First Nation’s perspectives deepen and enrich the lives of our nation and communities. You will be introduced to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing and being, emphasising their profound connection with land and country and the storylines that flow from them. You will compare First Nations' views on time, identity, individuality, and collective responsibility and gain an appreciation for the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. You will also explore the intergenerational impact of colonisation, dispossession and displacement and the forced separation of children from their families on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. You will examine the role social workers played in these historical events and reflect on the implications for contemporary social work practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today. In accordance with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Code of Ethics (2020), you will learn how to interact in a culturally safe and appropriate manner that decolonises practice for forging collaborative relationships and partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, countering ongoing discrimination and oppressive practices and fostering reconciliation.
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 2 - 2026
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.
- Explain the diversity and richness of First Nations history and cultures.
- Critically analyse the impact of colonisation and historical policies and laws on First Nations peoples and communities.
- Critically reflect on the history of social work practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the implications for contemporary practice
- Apply critically reflective practice skills, culturally appropriate theoretical frameworks and strategies for decolonised practice, and professional values and ethics to promote respectful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
| 2 - Case Study - 40% | ||||
| 3 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 20% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | ||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||
| 4 - Research | ||||
| 5 - Self-management | ||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||
| 7 - Leadership | ||||
| 8 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Academic Learning Centre services
- CQUniversity library literature search tools
- Microsoft Word
- Wordprocessing, spreadsheeting and powerpoint software
- Zoom account (Free)
- CQUniveristy Library Resources
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
- EndNote (bibliographical software). EndNote bibliographic software to format your references is NOT mandatory. However, it will be a great tool to manage your research references and cite them in texts. Consult ITD for instructions on how to download this software. It is easy to use and very helpful. See https://my.cqu.edu.au/group/it-services/endonte to access the software
- CQUniversity Library search engines for research articles
- CQUniversity Library Nursing/Midwifery/Social Work Resources
- Australian Standards (through CQU library)
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
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.
m.g.parker@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Diversity of First Nations’ History and Culture
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity: Access the General Discussion page and introduce yourself to your colleagues by providing your name and maybe why you are studying this unit and course.
Assessments: Review the assessment tasks and make a study plan.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program: Complete your annual program.
Announcements and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Australian Policy and Legislation – From Protection to Reconciliation
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment One – Start your literature searching and preparing assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Truth-telling - Australian Social Work History with First Nation’s Peoples
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Census Date is next week. If you are struggling, please contact your Unit Coordinator for help.
Assessment One – Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Intergenerational Trauma, Grief and Loss and Resilience
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment One due 4pm (AEST), Wednesday 5th August
Census Date – Tuesday Week 4
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Reflective Practice Assessment Due: Week 4 Wednesday (5 Aug 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Whiteness in Social Work Theory and Practice
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 6
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
First Nations’ Ways of Being and Doing
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Vacation Week
Chapter
Please use this mid-term break as an opportunity to rest and recover. Enjoy your break!
Events and Submissions/Topic
No timetabled learning activities. Please use this week to progress your assessments.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 7
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
First Nations Communication Practices – Stories, Yarning and Dadirri
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 8
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Theoretical Perspectives for Collaborative Practice
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in Moodle.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 9
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Building Partnerships and Collaborative Practice with First Nations Peoples and Communities
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment Two due 4pm (AEST), Wednesday 16th September
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Written Assessment Due: Week 9 Wednesday (16 Sept 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 10
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Allyship - Countering Racism and Discrimination
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Don’t forget - Check your unit enrolments for next term.
Week 11
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Reconciliation in Government, Governance and Policy
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment Three, Part A: Viva will be scheduled for this week, please see Moodle for available times
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experience in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades.
Case Study Due: Week 11 Monday (28 Sept 2026) 9:00 am AEST
Week 12
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Reconciliation, Resources and Rights in First Nations Communities
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – Please complete the unit evaluation survey
Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment Three, Part B: Written Reflection due 4pm (AEST), Wednesday 14th October, 2026
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Tutorial and Lecture Attendance
Students must attend all scheduled lectures and tutorials online as the official timetable outlines. A classroom space will be available should you wish to be on campus. Attendance is critical to this unit, as it supports your learning, professional development, and engagement with culturally responsive social work practice. Tutorials provide structured opportunities to apply theory to practice, engage with assessment preparation, and participate in respectful, critical dialogue.
Non-attendance without an approved reason may impact your ability to meet unit learning outcomes. Please check the timetable in Moodle regularly and notify the teaching team in advance if you cannot attend due to exceptional circumstances.
When online please ensure you have a working camera, microphone and speakers to engage with the tutor as a Culturally Responsive social worker.
1 Reflective Practice Assignment
This assessment invites you to listen deeply and respectfully to the testimony of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait or South Sea Islander person. In the first four weeks of this unit, you have explored the diversity of First Nations histories and cultures in Australia, the legacy of protectionist and assimilationist policies, the importance of truth-telling, and the impact of intergenerational trauma and resilience.
Drawing on these foundational concepts, you will respond to guided questions that help you learn and reflect on the significance of First Nations voices and their relevance to social work. This task supports your development as a culturally safe and critically aware practitioner. In your testimonial reflection, please maintain appropriate professional boundaries and be mindful of the personal information you choose to share, ensuring it aligns with ethical practice and safeguards your wellbeing when drawing on lived experience.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
The use of any generative artificial intelligence is not permitted as per Level 1 (No AI) in the AI Assessment scale tool indicators.
Extensions
Available as per policy
The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment
Minimum Pass Criteria
You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 4 Wednesday (5 Aug 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submission Via Moodle - Extensions: Available as per policy The 72-hour grace period applies to this assessment.
Vacation Week Wednesday (26 Aug 2026)
Students will be notified when assessments have been marked via Moodle
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Critically analyse the impact of colonisation and historical policies and laws on First Nations peoples and communities.
- Critically reflect on the history of social work practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the implications for contemporary practice
- Apply critically reflective practice skills, culturally appropriate theoretical frameworks and strategies for decolonised practice, and professional values and ethics to promote respectful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
2 Written Assessment
This assessment builds on your learning from Weeks 5 to 9 of the unit, focusing on culturally responsive, decolonising, and ethically grounded practice with First Nations people. You will apply frameworks introduced in the unit to analyse a case study involving a hospital social work scenario.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
The use of any generative artificial intelligence is not permitted as per Level 1 (No AI) in the AI Assessment scale tool indicators.
Extensions
Available as per policy
The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment
Minimum Pass Criteria
You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 9 Wednesday (16 Sept 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submission Via Moodle - Extensions: Available as per policy The 72-hour grace period applies to this assessment.
Week 12 Wednesday (7 Oct 2026)
Students will be notified when assessments have been marked via Moodle
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Explain the diversity and richness of First Nations history and cultures.
- Critically analyse the impact of colonisation and historical policies and laws on First Nations peoples and communities.
- Critically reflect on the history of social work practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the implications for contemporary practice
3 Case Study
This assessment requires you to demonstrate how you apply culturally responsive, decolonising theory to real-time practice and critically reflect on your performance. Building on the previous case study assessment, students will participate in a short, recorded viva (5–7 minutes) with the Unit Coordinator or Lecturer, role-playing a conversation with a family member related to the case study, to establish rapport and begin a culturally safe engagement process.
Following participation in the viva, you will submit a 1000-word critical reflection analysing your practice of cultural humility, ethical standards, power and whiteness, and professional values. You must incorporate feedback from your previous assessment, apply decolonising frameworks introduced in the unit, and reference relevant to First Nations practice principles.
You are required to engage with the Bennett & Bodkin-Andrews (2021) Cultural Responsiveness Framework to guide and enhance your approach to culturally responsive practice.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
The use of any generative artificial intelligence is not permitted as per Level 1 (No AI) in the AI Assessment scale tool indicators.
Extensions
Not available as per policy
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment
Minimum Pass Criteria
You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 11 Monday (28 Sept 2026) 9:00 am AEST
Your Viva skills Demonstration will be scheduled by the lecturer during week 11 Part B: Written Reflection is due 4pm (AEST), Wednesday 14th October 2026 (Exam Week)
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Explain the diversity and richness of First Nations history and cultures.
- Critically analyse the impact of colonisation and historical policies and laws on First Nations peoples and communities.
- Apply critically reflective practice skills, culturally appropriate theoretical frameworks and strategies for decolonised practice, and professional values and ethics to promote respectful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
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?
