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Unit outline_

INDG1001: Introduction to Indigenous Cultures

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit introduces students to Indigenous Australia in a stimulating, in-depth study of traditional and contemporary forms of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural expression. Ranging from the Dreaming and ancient knowledges, ceremony and lore, to the lives and societies of Indigenous peoples today, students learn in areas such Aboriginal kinship, language, story and art, Indigenous agriculture, aquaculture and astronomy, and contemporary Indigenous cultures and cultural currents.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Indigenous Academic Units
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Peter Minter, peter.minter@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Peter Minter, peter.minter@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Amy Davidson, amy.davidson@sydney.edu.au
Tracey-Anne Cameron, tracey.cameron@sydney.edu.au
Matty Compton, matthew.compton@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Tutorial quiz Fortnightly Quiz
Fortnightly Quiz
30% Multiple weeks 1000 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Small continuous assessment Online Post and Discussion
Scheduled 250 word online post; follow up discussion in class.
10% Ongoing 250 words online and 5 minutes in class
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Online task Early Feedback Task Early Feedback Task
Online quiz #earlyfeedbacktask
0% Week 03
Due date: 14 Mar 2025 at 23:59
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Creative assessment / demonstration Online Creative Presentation
Online Creative Response (750 words equiv) and 750 words Written Reflection
30% Week 08
Due date: 18 Apr 2025 at 23:59
1500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Final Essay
Final Essay
30% Week 13
Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
early feedback task = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

PLEASE NOTE: you must submit ALL tasks if you wish to pass this unit. Regardless of your final mark, if you do not submit a task you will receive an Absent Fail grade. 

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Welcome to Country and Culture Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Welcome to Country and Culture Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Local Connections: Redfern and The Block Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Family, Community, Identity Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Kinship Learning Module Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Kinship and Culture: Kangaroo and Possum Skin Cloaks Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Gamilaraay revitalisation: language, people and Country Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Language, Culture & Country Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Land Rights and Sovereignty Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Land Rights and Sovereignty Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Aboriginal Agriculture & Aquaculture Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Aboriginal Coastal Management Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Aboriginal Astronomy: Star Stories of the Dreaming Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Aboriginal Astronomy: Star Stories of the Dreaming Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Sacred Ngura, Sacred Arts Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Sacred Ngura, Sacred Arts Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Contemporary Aboriginal Visual Arts Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Contemporary Aboriginal Visual Arts Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Aboriginal Cinema and Television Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
"Inside My Mother" Ali Cobby Eckermann Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Bearing Witness: Aboriginal Literature Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
"Shadow Sister" Oodgeroo Noonuccal Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 This All Come Back Now: First Nations Speculative Fiction Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Meenamatta Water Country Discussion Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

ALL LECTURES AND TUTORIALS MUST BE ATTENDED 

To Pass this unit you must attend no less than 90% of lectures and tutorials. In the case of illness, misadventure or any other cause for missing lectures and/or tutorials, please discuss your circumstances with your tutor or unit coordinator. Inadequate attendance will likely result in an AF Absent Fail grade, regardless of assignment submissions.

ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED

To Pass this unit you must submit every assessment task.  Failure to submit any one task will result in an Absent Fail (AF) result for the entire unit.

USE OF AI PROHIBITED

In this unit we foreground and value embodied human learning and knowledge sharing. While AI has an important role to play in various spaces, it is not appropriate for our teaching and learning about embedded, relational and sovereign First Nations knowledges and systems. Please be advised that the use of AI in any assessment task for this unit is prohibited. If the use of AI is detected in any submitted task, for the generation, editing or submission of any text or imagery, the task will receive a result of 0%. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

This unit’s reading list is available in Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate an introductory understanding of Indigenous Australian knowledges, histories and cultures, including an understanding of the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural expressions, cultural values and world-views
  • LO2. demonstrate an introductory understanding of the value of Indigenous customary laws, beliefs and traditions, and the centrality of country, kinship, language and cultural expression to community, cultural and ecological wellbeing
  • LO3. demonstrate an introductory understanding of the centrality of Indigenous culture to contemporary Indigenous life and wellbeing
  • LO4. demonstrate competent communication skills across a variety of mediums—verbally, textually and online—in ways that are inclusive, respectful and aware of appropriate terminology
  • LO5. apply skills in working effectively with people in intercultural settings.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Student feedback was used to refine workshopping practice and assessments for this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.