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Stage 2 | Subject Outline | Version control

Aboriginal Studies Stage 2
Subject outline

Version 4.0 - For teaching in 2024
Accredited in May 2016 for teaching at Stage 2 from 2018.

Stage 2 | Subject outline | Content | Contexts

Contexts

The learning strands provide the conceptual framework for the knowledge, understandings, skills, and capabilities that students develop through the following contexts:

  • Context 1: Diversity and identities
  • Context 2: Cultural expressions
  • Context 3: Contemporary experiences.

Students undertake learning in each of the three contexts. The contexts are not designed to be taught independently or to be of equivalent length. They should be sequenced and structured to suit individual cohorts of students and schools.

Diversity and identities

Students learn from and with Aboriginal individuals, communities, and/or community organisations to develop their understanding of the diversity of Aboriginal peoples’ identities and experiences.

This may include deconstructing and analysing the historical, political, social, and economic influences and impacts of government policies on Aboriginal peoples and communities, while acknowledging the effects on past, present, and future generations.
Aboriginal peoples’ ongoing resistance and survival is explored to develop students’ understanding of the influence and impact on diversity and identities, while acknowledging accomplishments, past and present.

Cultural expressions

Through their learning from and with Aboriginal peoples, students develop and extend their understanding of the diversity and importance of Aboriginal cultural expressions. Students explore their understanding of the historical, political, and/or social importance of these expressions and are able to communicate the significance of these representations.

Students may learn from a wide range of cultural expressions, including language, literature, painting, music, performance, and oral traditions. Students develop respect for and understanding of cultural protocols, including intellectual and cultural property rights.

Contemporary experiences

Students investigate, analyse, and acknowledge contemporary experiences as told by Aboriginal peoples.

Through their learning from Aboriginal peoples and communities, and from Aboriginal voices in a range of different sources, students investigate and analyse experiences of ongoing resistance, resilience, and survival. Students develop informed attitudes towards and an understanding of how the past influences the present and the future.