If you have a real interest in social justice and the struggle of Australia’s Indigenous peoples for equality then this is the course for you. Across Australia all Government, business, education and public service areas need people with specialised knowledge and understanding of Indigenous issues. Our Australian Indigenous Studies degree is a fascinating and interdisciplinary course that will give you an understanding of both traditional and contemporary forms of Aboriginal and Islander societies and cultures. You will be introduced to a range of disciplinary approaches, including political and social theory, literary and linguistic analysis, history and anthropology.
Throughout their teaching our Academic staff draw on their vast personal experience of working in Aboriginal affairs and firmly situate Australian Indigenous Studies in appropriate cultural and disciplinary contexts. This means your degree will be both theoretically strong and practically focused to make your employment opportunities more diverse. By combining your Australian Indigenous Studies major with a vocational major such as Commerce, Psychology or with a disciplinary major such as History, Sociology, Politics & International Studies or Philosophy you can streamline and focus your career options into more specific areas
What can I do with my Australian Indigenous Studies degree?
Many graduates have used their double major to find positions where they are able to offer a specialist insight into Indigenous issues in their chosen field. You might embark on a career as a project co-ordinator or facilitator in the mining industry, the health services, or even in the tourism and travel industry. You might choose to work with Indigenous communities or Land & Sea Councils. You might find yourself employed as a teacher or university lecturer, court monitor and advocate or policy advisor to local or federal government if you choose to combine your AIS studies with another degree. There are opportunities to work as a consultant in business and commerce, and also in research. The following are just some professions you could consider: Policy Advisor, Policy Researcher, Social Worker, Social Scientist.
Three reasons to study Australian Indigenous Studies at Murdoch
The course is taught by experienced Indigenous and non-Indigenous academics.
You will have the opportunity to learn the local language, and to become familiar with the histories and experiences of Nyungar peoples.
Students have the opportunity to participate in cultural activities both on campus and within the wider community.
Our entry requirements tool will help you find the most appropriate and quickest pathways to admission. The tool will take you through a couple of steps to help identify the best pathways for you based on your situation. Once you have chosen the most suitable pathway you will also be provided you with information on how to apply based on the criteria you are using for admission.
Domestic student applications:
All undergrad applications for Semester 1 2009 need to be submitted through TISC. If you would like to apply for this course you can now:
Get your TISC help kit containing your course info, handy hints and advice to help make the application process even easier.
Get advice on how to structure your TISC preferences to give yourself the best chance of getting into the course of your dreams.
International student applications:
If you would like to apply for this course you can now:
3 years full-time internal study or part - time equivalent.
Available fully externally
Please note that international students can only study full-time
We don’t have prerequisite subjects for any of our courses as we are a strong promoter of a well rounded education. However, remember that you will also need to demonstrate competence in English, normally through passing either English or English Literature or by getting a sufficiently high score in ESL.
Course Structure
Year 1
Foundation Unit
All new first year students take a Foundation Unit. These are designed so you have some idea what’s going on, because, let’s face it, you may never have been to uni before!
Core Units
You must take these units for a particular major to gain a specialisation in this area.
Select two from the following:
Introduction to Australian Indigenous Studies
Contemporary Indigenous Issues
Introduction to Nyungar Culture
General Electives
You must take these units to have enough units to graduate. General Electives give you the flexibility to learn from a variety of different areas. Select five units offered by the University, subject to individual unit prerequisites.
As a Murdoch Australian Indigenous Studies graduate, your employment outlook is bright, especially if you combine it with other disciplines. Depending on which skill combinations or specialisations you have, your Murdoch degree may lead you towards work and study opportunities in a number of areas. The following are some professions to consider, including extra majors and minors that will improve your prospects of achieving them.
Professions
What they do
Suggested Double Majors
Policy Advisors/ Policy Researcher
Policy Advisors work in the State and Federal Parliaments, political parties or electoral offices. Their job involves analysing, developing and implementing social, cultural, economical policies, depending on their specialisations. Policy Researchers source background information, data and statistics that will aid in policy formulation
Public Policy and Management, Gender and Cultural Studies, Politics and International Studies
Social worker
This job is for those with a strong desire to help improve people’s lives. Social Workers help people function the best way they can in their environment, deal with their relationships, and solve personal and family problems. They often deal with people who face a life-threatening disease or a social problem, such as inadequate housing, unemployment, a serious illness, a disability, or substance abuse.
Theology, Community Development, Psychology, Gender and Cultural Studies, Sociology
Correctional Treatment Specialist
In jails and prisons, Correctional Treatment Specialists evaluate the progress of inmates. They also work with inmates, probation officers, and other agencies to develop parole and release plans. Their case reports are provided to the appropriate parole board when their clients are eligible for release. In addition, they plan education and training programs to improve offender’s job skills and provide them with coping, anger management, and drug and sexual abuse counselling either individually or in groups. They usually write treatment plans and summaries for each client. Correctional Treatment Specialists working in parole and probation agencies perform many of the same duties as their counterparts who work in correctional institutions.
Theology, Psychology, Security Terrorism and Counterterrorism, Sociology, Legal Studies, Criminology
Social Scientist
Social Scientists study all aspects of society - from past events and achievements to human behaviour and relationships among groups. Their research provides insights that help us understand different ways in which individuals and groups make decisions, exercise power, and respond to change. Through their studies and analyses, social scientists suggest solutions to social, business, personal, governmental, and environmental problems.
Sociology, Gender and Cultural Studies, History, Philosophy, Politics and International Studies, General Arts
