Bachelor of Indigenous StudiesInformation for students commencing 2013

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About this Course

The Bachelor of Indigenous Studies is open to all Australians along with international applicants. The course has been specifically designed to communicate and generate a better understanding of Indigenous world views by exploring past and present histories in a culturally diverse and supportive environment.

The degree increases awareness of Aboriginal and other Indigenous peoples’ histories, ways of living, and social commitments while raising understanding between all people of matters relevant to a shared and valued future. It prepares graduates for all workplaces but particularly for employment with government, communities and organisations working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other Indigenous peoples.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can pursue a range of careers in areas where an understanding of Indigenous issues is required. Depending on the units completed in the degree, graduates may be suited to positions in project management or administration with Indigenous organisations or in private or public sector areas such as health services, education and training, paralegal and social work, environmental management, humanities and the arts.

Major Areas of Study

Students can select majors to suit their areas of interest from disciplines across the University including:

Course Structure and Units (Subjects)

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

To qualify for the Bachelor of Indigenous Studies a total of 288 credit points (usually 24 units) must be completed.

This course offers intermediate awards (early exit points) at Diploma and Associate Degree levels.

Please note that some majors and units may not be available at each location. Unit availabilities are published for each study period and vary from year to year. Please contact the School for further information.

For course rules and a full list of units, please refer to the Specific Award Rules below.

Course Summary

Locations
Distance Education Session 1+
Session 2+
+ Distance education is not available to international students.
Lismore Session 1
Session 2+
+ Session 2 entry is not available to international students.
Coffs Harbour Unavailable
Gold Coast
Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga
Unavailable
Course Duration

3 years full-time; 6 years part-time. 3.5 years minimum for mid-year entry.

May be completed in a shorter duration subject to unit availabilities.

Fees and Charges Domestic fees
International fees
Additional fee information
School College of Indigenous Australian Peoples
Admission, Enrolment and General Enquiries scu.edu.au/enquiries
Further Information Domestic applicants: Ph: 1800 626 481
International applicants: Ph: +61 2 6620 3876; E: intoff@scu.edu.au
Total Units: Award Abbreviation: 2013 ATAR equivalent/OP:
24 BIndigSt 68/14
UAC Course Code QTAC Course Code CRICOS Course Code
Lismore: 337100 Lismore: 057001 Lismore NSW: 048631F
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Teaching Methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Our distance education study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Learning Resources

MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based program Blackboard Collaborate delivers advanced on-line learning environments for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces and classrooms. They can share files, presentations, and applications. If the session is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and books of readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The SCU library provides a wide range of services including librarian assistance, print and electronic resources, a document delivery service, catalogues, databases, ebooks, ereadings, and full-text journal literature.

The Academic Skills Development team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, email, phone, and one-on-one support.

Assessment Methods

Gnibi designs assessment methods that are formative, progressive and culturally appropriate to the range of units offered. Care is taken that students are not over-assessed, that assessment includes a balanced sample of the unit and relates directly to unit objectives. The types of assessments vary depending on the unit of study and may include formal written papers, presentations, journals, online activities and exams.

Equipment and Facilities

SCU provides students with modern well equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audiovisual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.

How to Apply

Pre-requisite Year 12 subjects

There are no pre-requisite subjects required for this course.

On-campus Undergraduate applications

To apply to study an undergraduate degree at a SCU campus, apply online through the NSW Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). For more information please visit either the UAC or QTAC websites: www.uac.edu.au or www.qtac.edu.au. A late fee applies for UAC and QTAC applications received after the 30th of September.

Apply with QTAC

Apply with UAC

Direct Applications

Apply Online

The following applications to study can be made online, directly to SCU:

Online applications for the Bachelor of Indigenous Studies involve four key steps:

  1. Register your details to create an account or login to access your applications
  2. Select the exact course you want to apply for
  3. Answer the questions and submit documents
  4. Submit your application

Once registered you can exit and return to your application at any time.

International Applicants

Please refer to the International Office website.

International Applicants

Advanced Standing

At Southern Cross University, your previous study or work experience may help you cut time off your degree.

We recommend that you apply for advance standing at the same time as you apply for admission into this course, because the amount and type of credit awarded will determine your study plan.

For more details and how to apply please visit the Advanced Standing website.

Bachelor of Indigenous Studies with Honours
Bachelor of Trauma and Healing
Bachelor of Social Science
Bachelor of Arts

Specific Award Rules

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

4.1 Requirements for an Award
  1. To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Indigenous Studies a candidate needs to successfully complete not less than twenty four (24) units.
    1. Complete all units listed in Part A
    2. Complete eight (8) elective units from Part B
    3. Complete an eight (8) unit major from Part C majors list.
  2. To be eligible for the award of Associate Degree of Indigenous Studies a candidate shall successfully complete not less than sixteen (16) units comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules;
    2. eight (8) elective units from Part B of the Schedule.
  3. To be eligible for the award of Diploma of Indigenous Studies a candidate shall successfully complete not less than eight (8) units comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules.
  4. A candidate who while enrolled for the Bachelor of Indigenous Studies has completed the requirements for the Associate Degree of Indigenous Studies may elect to be awarded the Associate Degree of Indigenous Studies following withdrawal from candidature for the Bachelor degree.
  5. A candidate who while enrolled for the Bachelor of Indigenous Studies has completed the requirements for the Diploma of Indigenous Studies may elect to be awarded the Diploma of Indigenous Studies following withdrawal from candidature for the Bachelor degree.
4.2 Advanced Standing

Candidates who have completed the requirements for the Associate Degree or Diploma of Indigenous Studies may be granted advanced standing for up to sixteen (16) units in the Bachelor of Indigenous Studies.

Schedule of Units

Part C (Majors)

Students may focus their major study area from a wide range of discipline areas from across the University, chosen from available University-wide Majors. A specialist Major in Trauma and Healing is also available.

Trauma and Healing
Compulsory:
CSL00416 - Cultural and Spiritual Well-Being
HEA10200 - Trans- and Intergenerational Trauma
HEA10201 - The Biological Effects of Traumatic Stress
HEA10203 - Healing Childhood Traumatisation
HEA10204 - Secondary Traumatisation
Plus three (3) units from the following:
SOC00417 - Race and Racism
BIO01302 - Human Anatomy
BIO00307 - Human Physiology
BHS11001 - Introduction to Psychology I
BHS30002 - Abnormal Psychology
CSL00231 - Counselling Theory and Practice

The Major may span Years 2 to 3.

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