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Indigenous Astronomy (PHYC10010)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
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About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Indigenous cultures of the world have long developed complex knowledge systems focused on the Sun, Moon, and stars. Elders teach that "everything on the land is reflected in the sky", with the stars serving as a map, calendar, timepiece, and mnemonic memory aide that inform Law and social structure. These knowledge systems are wholistic and multi-layered, including cultural understandings of science and applications of scientific practice that have been passed down through oral tradition for millennia. This subject will introduce students to the discipline of Cultural Astronomy, focusing on the astronomical knowledge and traditions of contemporary Indigenous cultures around the world, with an emphasis on Australia.
Central questions will be: How are cultural understandings of science applied and developed by First Peoples? What do observations of astronomical phenomena such as variable stars, eclipses, planetary motions, and meteorite impacts tell us about the pre-Western origins of scientific observations and practice? What are some of the ways complex systems of knowledge are passed to successive generations? How can we apply emerging methodologies in cultural astronomy to reconstruct Indigenous Astronomical Knowledge that was fragmented due to colonisation in a collaborative and ethical manner? How can truth-telling about Indigenous people and their Knowledge Systems change negative perceptions in modern society? What are ways that Indigenous Astronomical Knowledge be protected as living heritage?
The subject provides students from all disciplines with an opportunity to apply this knowledge to their areas of study, facilitating critical and original thinking and hands-on education through tutorial-based activities, critical reflection, and investigation.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of cultural astronomy with respect to Indigenous Knowledge.
- understand the theoretical contexts of an issue of concern in cultural astronomy.
- understand the purpose of interdisciplinary research methodologies in cultural astronomy.
Generic skills
Upon successful completion of this subject, students would be expected to have the following generic skills:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills developed through reflection, case studies, activities and application,
- Research and analysis skills developed through preparation of exercises and assessments,
- Verbal and written communication skills, developed through discussion, tutorial activities, and assessment, and
- Promote inclusive and transdisciplinary scientific and social research.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
High school mathematics and science
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Practical Exam x 5 (30 mins each, fortnightly)
| Throughout the teaching period | 50% |
Reflective Essay
| First half of the teaching period | 10% |
Tutorial Report
| Second half of the teaching period | 20% |
Video Project
| During the examination period | 20% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Duane Hamacher Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours This subject contains 26.5 hours of lectures, 9 hours of practicals and 2.5 hours of exams (replacing 2.5 hours of practicals). Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022
Time commitment details
Students are expected to commit 66.25 hours (2.5 hours for each 1-hour lecture) of study, 31.75 hours of readings, 7 hours for 500 words of reflective essay text, 15 hours for 1000 words of practical report text, 25 hours for 2000 words of essay text, and 25 hours for 10 minutes of project video overall as part of this subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Dianne Johnson (1998) “Night Skies of Aboriginal Australia: a noctuary”. University of Sydney Press.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024