The School of Indigenous Studies will next offer the unit IS3041M/IS9041M Indigenous Rights and the Legacies of the Bible as a second semester unit in 2024. It will be taught in conjunction with Whitley College.
What will be covered?
Joshua’s conquest of Canaan was often used in colonial history as a model for the genocide of Indigenous peoples, but in legal arguments since the sixteenth century, the Hebrew Bible also provided sanctions for the defence of Indigenous rights. This unit retraces such contradictory movements in modern colonial histories and describes the variety of outcomes in different contexts, with a focus on the Australian colonies. We will also explore the ways in which policies of assimilation in the twentieth century were often entwined with Christian theological motivations. The possibilities for decolonial understandings of Indigenous rights will be explored with special attention to renewed practices of biblical interpretation.
Where and when?
The unit will be taught as a 2nd semester unit on Monday evenings between 6-9pm AEST (Melbourne/Sydney time), via Zoom.
How does the unit fit into my study plans?
The unit is offered as a 3rd level undergraduate unit (IS3041W) and as a postgraduate elective unit (IS9041W). 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 (IS2002W), or 2 units of study at undergraduate level two (IS3002W), or else one unit of study at postgraduate foundational level (IS9002W).
If you wish to audit the unit, please be in touch with Dr Deverell at the School of Indigenous Studies. Audit participants 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IS3041W | Indigenous Rights and the Legacies of the Bible | Undergraduate Level 3 | — | 24.0 |
| IS9041W | Indigenous Rights and the Legacies of the Bible | Postgraduate Elective | — | 24.0 |
How will it be assessed?
There are three pieces of written assessment: a research essay, a exegesis of a biblical text, and 5 forums posts. 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 Professor Mark Brett, a specialist in the Hebrew Bible and one the leading theological academics in Australia. Mark is a contributing member of our School of Indigenous Studies Academic Committee. School of Indigenous Studies staff will introduce the distinctive character of the rights and responsibilities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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
Prof Mark Brett
Whitley College
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