Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

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

  2018

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  3

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

• Unit Coordinator

  Mr Robert Stanley SOMERVILLE

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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.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit uses Aboriginal Systems of Knowledge within the context of environments throughout Australia. The unit is designed to provide students with the necessary tools to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) communities in environmental management and Natural Resource Management (NRM). Teaching consists of a one-hour lecture followed by a two-hour tutorial. The lectures cover weekly topics, tutorials include class discussions and workshop activities. Students also participate in a mid-semester excursion to Kings Park. A number of lectures are recorded for online students. Elders and guest speakers enhance the unit with expertise in Aboriginal spirituality and archaeological field work, including cultural and family mapping. Students participating in the unit are given the opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's culture and their history. The central focus of Aboriginal Perspectives on the Environment is connection to country. Students are expected to utilise class time by being prepared by completing reading and weekly activities so as to contribute to class interaction. Resources for this unit are available via Blackboard. Online students are expected to access this information and to connect via the discussion board. Blackboard is used to support learning through lectures along with resources for assignments. The Reading List is available on Blackboard. The lecturer's role in this unit is primarily to guide and facilitate learning.

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.

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