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  3. Indigenous First Principles

Indigenous First Principles (INDG40001)

HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 2
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Following indications from thinkers such as Muecke, Elkin, Bird Rose, Swain, Mowaljarlai and others, this subject will ask the following questions:

  • Is there an Aboriginal philosophy?
  • What fundamental principles might such a philosophy be grounded in?
  • Would it be an Australian philosophy?

An analysis of tropes and images and identification of structural commonalities in some of the Australian Indigenous works we will be studying will provide a framework for this discussion.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should:

  • Experience an expansion in intellectual horizons and the ability to participate in original work in the field of Australian Indigenous studies
  • Learn to make distinctions between essential and transitory aspects of Aboriginal culture and philosophy
  • Understand the implications of an Aboriginal philosophy in any consideration of social and ecological issues affecting contemporary Australian society and the reconsideration of the idea of an Australian nation in the 21st century.

Generic skills

At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:

  • Have a sophisticated understanding of the role of theory in Australian Indigenous studies
  • Develop the ability to undertake high-level individual research
  • Gain a developed understanding of the ethical requirements of research in Australian Indigenous studies
  • Appreciate the enhanced intellectual outcomes of collegiality.

Last updated: 9 July 2024