7–10Aboriginal Studies 7–10 Syllabus

The Aboriginal Studies 7–10 Syllabus includes 4 elective courses:

• Aboriginal Studies 7–10 200 hours
• Aboriginal Studies 7–10 100 hours
• Aboriginal Studies Life Skills 7–10 200 hours
• Aboriginal Studies Life Skills 7–10 100 hours.

The focus of learning for all courses in the Aboriginal Studies 7–10 Syllabus is described below.

The Aboriginal Studies 7–10 Syllabus enables students to develop knowledge, understanding and skills to engage in respectful and reciprocal relationships with Aboriginal Peoples and Communities through ethical research and Community engagement Practices.

Students develop the ability to apply Cultural protocols as they are guided in their learning of the oldest living, continuous Cultures in the world. Students develop ethical and empathetic understanding that support students' personal, social, cultural, academic and professional development.

Students learn about the diversity of Aboriginal Peoples, and the importance of Country/Place, Community and spirituality to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. They are supported in their learning of historical and contemporary experiences of Aboriginal Peoples, the importance of self-determination and autonomy, ethical research skills, Community consultation and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) protocols.

Students develop an understanding and respect for the Knowledges and Practices of Aboriginal Peoples as the oldest living, continuous Cultures in the world. They develop respectful, inclusive and reciprocal relationships with Aboriginal Peoples and Communities through ethical research and Community engagement Practices.

Students develop values and attributes based on empathy and understanding supporting them to become active and informed advocates for a just and inclusive world.

Schools may choose to offer and/or deliver 7–10 elective courses which may be studied in any year.

Elective courses in Years 9 and 10 contribute towards the RoSA.

Aboriginal Studies 7–10 may be studied as a 100-hour or a 200-hour course. The content available for Stage 4 is identical to Stage 5. When teaching the course in Stage 4, the Stage 5 outcomes may be adjusted as appropriate to the needs of students in Years 7 and 8. Advice is provided to support teachers.

100-hour course

Students are required to undertake:

• 2 core focus areas
• 2 options.

200-hour course

Students are required to undertake:

• 4 core focus areas
• 4 options.

Across a 200-hour course or a 100-hour course, students may study only one school-developed option.

Focus areas – core

The 100-hour and 200-hour courses should start with a core study.

In the first 100 hours (Year 9), it is recommended that students undertake:

• Aboriginal identities
• Aboriginal self-determination and autonomy.

In the consecutive 100 hours (Year 10), it is recommended that students undertake:

• Aboriginal enterprises and organisations
• Aboriginal Peoples and oral and written expression.

For Aboriginal Studies Life Skills 7–10:

• Students are required to demonstrate achievement of one or more Aboriginal Studies Life Skills 7–10 outcomes.
• Outcomes and content should be selected to meet the particular needs of individual students.
• The focus areas provide possible frameworks for addressing the Aboriginal Studies Life Skills 7–10 outcomes and content and are suggestions only. Teachers have the flexibility to select, group and sequence outcomes and content to meet the needs, strengths, goals, interests and prior learning of their students.