Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Kurongkurl Katitjin

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Aboriginal Perspectives on the Environment

• Unit Code

  ACS2122

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  3

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

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Description

This unit investigates ecological explanations of cultural diversity, differing notions of sustainable development, and the ecological and spiritual interrelationship integral to Indigenous cultures. Students study traditional and contemporary Indigenous relations with the environment, paying particular attention to spirituality, fire and land management, analyse the convergences and divergences between Indigenous environmental perspectives and the environment movement, and explore current issues and artforms linking Aboriginal people and the environment.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded ACS4101

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Analyse current environment management issues affecting Indigenous people.
2. Analyse government initiatives, policies and responsibilities with regard to Indigenous people, the environment and development strategies using current examples.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of Indigenous Australian peoples traditional and contemporary spiritual/ecological relationship with the environment.
4. Discuss and evaluate different notions of the term sustainable development.
5. Review and compare ecological and cultural explanations of human diversity.

Unit Content

1. Government initiatives and responsibilities with regard to Indigenous culture, the environment, and sustainable development.
2. Indigenous peoples traditional and contemporary spiritual/ecological relationships.
3. Indigenous relations with mining, pastoralism, tourism, national parks and conservation areas.
4. Land rights, native title and hunting and fishing rights.
5. Sustainability and sustainable development.
6. The historical-ecological and cultural approaches to explaining human economic and social diversity.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, workshops, guest lecturers, educational videos.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ Nil
• Annandale, M., & Feary, S. (2009). Consulting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: Agroforestry in north Queensland. (08/168). Rural Industries Research and Development, Land & Water Australia, a Government initiative.
• Somerville, M., & Perkins, T. (2010). Singing the coast. Canberra: Australia. Aboriginal Studies Press.
• Baker, R., Davies, J., & Young, E. (Eds.). (2001). Working on country: Contemporary Indigenous management of Australia's lands and coastal regions. South Melbourne: Australia. Oxford University Press.
• Sveiby, K., & Skuthorpe, T. (2006). Treading lightly: The hidden wisdom of the world's oldest people. Crows Nest: Australia. Allen and Unwin.
• Strelein, L. (2009). Compromised jurisprudence: Native title cases since Mabo. Canberra: Australia. Aboriginal Studies Press.
• Neate, G. (2009). Native title Australia: Queensland, Torres Strait Islands' cases: Native title case notes 1971-2007. Chatswood: Australia. LexisNexis.
• Flood, J. (2000). Archaeology of the dreamtime: The story of prehistoric Australia and its people. (1999 revised ed.). Sydney: Australia. Angus and Robertson.
• Diamond, J. (1997). Guns, germs and steel: The fates of human societies. New York: USA. WW Norton.

Journal References

• Hill, R., Grant, C., George, M., Robinson, C., Jackson, S., & Abel, N. (2012). A typology of Indigenous engagement in Australian environmental management: Implications for knowledge integration and social-ecological system sustainability. Ecology and Society. Vol 17(1) pp23.
• Collard, L., & Bracknell, C. (2012). Beeliar boodjar: An introduction to Aboriginal history in the City of Cockburn, Western Australia. Australian Aboriginal Studies Canberra (vol.1). Vol 1 pp 86-91.

^ Mandatory reference

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