The School of Indigenous Studies will next offer the unit IS2002M/IS3002M/IS9002M Aboriginal Cultures and Spirituality as a second semester intensive in 2024. It will be taught in conjunction with St Barnabas’ College in Adelaide.
What will be covered?
This unit is designed for students who wish to learn about Aboriginal culture and spirituality in both its ‘traditional’ and ‘contemporary’ versions. The unit will introduce students to the key language, concepts and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and spirituality. It will also contrast this way of doing and seeing life with that of the dominant Australian culture. Some work will be done on the status of Aboriginal cultures and spirituality in some Aboriginal forms of Christianity.
Where and when?
The unit will be taught as a 2nd semester intensive, via Zoom and face-to-face at St Barnabas’ college in tarntanya/Adelaide beginning on Monday, July 22nd and concluding on Friday, July 26th. In addition, 40 minute zoom sessions will be scheduled throughout semester 2 so that students can make an oral presentation to the rest of the class.
How does the unit fit into my study plans?
The unit is offered as a 2nd or 3rd level undergraduate unit (IS2002M/IS3002M) and as a postgraduate elective unit (IS9002M). The unit may be taken as stand-alone subject, or as part of a university award such as the Bachelor of Theology or Master of Divinity. Speak with the academic dean or registrar of your college if you are unsure about how to fit the unit into your course.
The prerequisite for the unit is 2 units of study at undergraduate level one (IS2002M), or 2 units of study at undergraduate level two (IS3002M), or else one unit of study at postgraduate foundational level (IS9002M).
If you wish to audit the unit, please be in touch with Dr Deverell at the School of Indigenous Studies. Audit students are not required to hand in any assessment tasks. They will be asked, however, to take their turn in making an oral presentation to the rest of the group.
| Unit code | Unit title | Level | Discipline | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IS2002M | Aboriginal Cultures and Spirituality | Undergraduate Level 2 | — | 18.0 |
| IS3002M | Aboriginal Cultures and Spirituality | Undergraduate Level 3 | — | 18.0 |
| IS9002M | Aboriginal Cultures and Spirituality | Postgraduate Elective | — | 24.0 |
How will it be assessed?
There are three pieces of written assessment: a research essay or mixed-media piece, a tutorial paper based on an oral presentation, and a book or media review. The word lengths required will differ depending on the level at which you take the subject.
Who will my teachers be? How shall we learn?
The unit will be taught by The Right Reverend Chris McLeod, a Gurindji man who is the National Aboriginal bishop of the Anglican Church of Australia, an assistant bishop in the diocese of Adelaide, and the Dean of St Peter’s Cathedral. In his spare time (!) he teaches a bit of theology through St Barnabas’ College, also in Adelaide . We hope to welcome other Indigenous scholars as conversation partners as well. The subject will be taught in a conversational style in which the contributions of students will be valued.
How do I enrol?
For course advice regarding how this unit could fit in with your existing study plans, please speak to the Academic Dean at your chosen College.
To enrol in the unit, fill out the appropriate form in the drop-down below and send on to your college registrar. In the case of an audit participant, send to Dr Deverell.
Current student
If you are a current student of the University of Divinity, please complete the Reenrolment Form.
Seek course advice from your home college prior to and for assistance in completing this form.
Reenrolment Form for Coursework Students (Domestic and Overseas)
Prospective new student
If you are a prospective student wishing to commence study at the University of Divinity, please complete an Admission Form.
Seek course advice from your chosen college prior to and for assistance in completing this form.
Admission Form for Domestic Coursework Students
Cross-institution or single subject
If you wish to enrol in a single unit or do the unit for credit at another institution, please complete a Single Subject Form.
Please seek course advice from your chosen college prior to and for assistance in completing this form.
Admission Form for Single Subject and Cross Institutional Students
Audit participants
If you wish to audit the unit (not for credit), please complete the Application for Admission Audit Participant at UD Form and send it to Dr Deverell at gdeverell@divinity.edu.au
Cost to audit: $500
Application for Admission Audit Participant UD Form SIS Prefilled
Rev Dr Garry Deverell
School of Indigenous Studies