An immersive understanding of Aboriginal culture

Indigenous Knowledges exists along a spectrum, from the traditional ecological knowledge and practices that allowed our cultures to survive and thrive on Country for more than 60,000 years, to the contemporary practices that keep our selves, families and communities strong. The School of Indigenous Knowledges delivers a multi-disciplinary program that teaches Indigenous Knowledges, both local and global, grounded in Noongar ways of knowing, doing and being.

Units within the School are designed to complement students’ learning in each of their disciplines. This means that students from all disciplines are encouraged to add a minor in Indigenous Knowledges and Practices to their Murdoch University degree.

Add Indigenous Knowledges to your degree

There are two ways that you can study Indigenous Knowledges at Murdoch University.

1. Complete as a Minor

The Minor in Indigenous Knowledges and Practices is designed to complement students’ learning in each of their disciplines. Students will be exposed to Indigenous Knowledges in the areas of health, science and community development. As a result of undertaking this Minor, students will develop skills in critical thinking to enable them to engage with public discourse in a thoughtful and informed manner and contribute to positive social change within their future fields of practice.

The Minor is strongly recommended for students wishing to pursue a career working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Indigenous communities. You'll graduate career-ready with skills to equip you to engage meaningfully in work with Indigenous communities, as well as the ability to apply Indigenous Knowledge within your chosen field of practice. Upon completion of the Minor, students will:  

  • Contribute to positive social change within their future fields of practice, 
  • Understand and articulate how contextual factors contribute to contemporary circumstances,
  • Recognise that Indigenous Knowledge exists, know how to find it and how to apply it within their practice,
  • Be critical thinkers who are able to engage with public discourse around Indigenous affairs in a thoughtful and informed manner, and
  • Engage in constructive intercultural communication.

The Minor is 12 credit points and can be fit into most degree programs at Murdoch University.

Required units (9 points)

  • KAC102 Wandju Boodja (Welcome to Country) , 3 credit points.
  • SIK200 Hot Topics in Indigenous Australia, 3 credit points.
  • SIK201 Two-Way Science, 3 credit points.

Specified Elective Units (3 points)

  • SIK300 Indigenous Knowledges in Health and Wellbeing, 3 credit points, or
  • COD301 Indigenous Community Development, 3 credit points.

Study options

Use the following as examples where the Minor of Indigenous Knowledges and Practices can be added:

Learn the skills required to work toward empowerment alongside communities while also specialising in the knowledges and practices necessary to engage with Indigenous communities locally and internationally. This program of study will equip students with knowledge and skills in to contribute meaningfully in the empowerment of Indigenous communities to contribute to lasting social change.
Combine the study of human disease, forensic investigation, or genetics with Indigenous Knowledges about the processes of health and disease. This program of study equips students with high-level skills in medical, forensic and molecular science along with knowledge about science and health from Indigenous Knowledge systems across the globe.
Learn about the role of food in health and wellbeing, human performance and illness prevention while also learning about Indigenous models of health and wellbeing. This program of study also builds skills in Indigenous community engagement to equip students to work effectively in educational health and wellbeing and community programs.
Combine your interests in Indigenous social justice with understanding the motives, methods and psychology of serious offenders, recognise diversity and the rights and perspectives of others in various contexts and learn how to critically evaluate police procedures, the judicial process and how forensic evidence is interpreted.
Learn ways to Ways to think creatively to solve communication challenges while gaining an understanding of local Indigenous culture and practices in the areas of health, science, arts and education. This program of study will equip students will the skills and understanding to work effectively in delivering a range of content for diverse audiences.  .

For more information, speak to your course Academic Chair about how you can include a minor in Indigenous Knowledges and Practices in your studies.

2. As a general elective

Students can choose any of the units from the minor to add to their general electives.

How to apply

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