ABORIGINAL STUDIES
Board Developed Course (ATAR) - 2 Units
Aboriginal Studies is intended for students interested in understanding the history, culture and contemporary issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It caters to those aspiring to engage in community work, education, social justice, public policy and cultural preservation.
The course encourages critical thinking, evidence-based writing and analytical discussion, with strong emphasis on articulating complex ideas, analysing historical and contemporary sources and constructing structured arguments.
PRE-REQUISITES
There are no formal pre-requisites for Aboriginal Studies. However, strong reading comprehension, analytical skills and structured writing abilities are highly beneficial due to the course’s emphasis on interpreting historical and social sources, analysing case studies and constructing evidence-based arguments.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Year 11 Topics
• Aboriginality and the Land
• Heritage and Identity
• International Indigenous Community: Comparative Study
• Research and Inquiry Methods: Local Community Case Study
Year 12 Topics
• Social Justice and Human Rights Issues
• Case studies
• Research and Inquiry Methods – Major Project
HSC EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
The HSC examination for Aboriginal Studies is a three-hour written paper that consists of three sections (short-answer, objective response and extended response) worth a total of 100 marks.
Extended responses range in expected length from 600 – 800 words.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF THIS COURSE
This course includes a Major Research Project (40% of the HSC school assessment) that enables engagement with local Aboriginal communities, requiring comprehensive written reports and evaluations.
Further information is available on the NESA website.
If a student qualifies, the Aboriginal Studies Life Skills Course is available in mainstream classes. More information on Life Skills courses can be found here.