Cirrus@Austlit

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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. describe and compare ecological and cultural explanations of human diversity;

2. discuss and evaluate different notions of the term sustainable development;

3. describe Indigenous Australian peoples traditional and contemporary spiritual/ecological relationship with the environment;

4. analyse current environment management issues affecting Indigenous people;

5. analyse government initiatives, policies and responsibilities with regard to Indigenous people, the environment and development strategies using current examples; and

6. discuss how a range of Indigenous writers and artists incorporate their perspectives on the environment in their work.

UNIT CONTENT

1. The historical-ecological and cultural approaches to explaining human economic and social diversity.

2. Sustainability and sustainable development.

3. Indigenous peoples traditional and contemporary spiritual/ecological relationships.

4. Land rights, native title and hunting and fishing rights.

5. Indigenous relations with mining, pastorlaism, tourism, national parks and conservation areas.

6. Government initiatives and responsibilities with regard to Indigenous culture, the environment, and sustainable development.

7. Indigenous Australian writers and artists views on current environmental issues.