Port Lincoln High School

Stage 1 Aboriginal Studies

Further enquiries:

  • Students: Speak to your Dharna Group teacher or the relevant subject teacher
  • Families: Please contact the Senior School Assistant Principal via Direqt message
  • Phone PLHS on 8683-6000

Length: Semester

Recommended background: None

Content:

In Aboriginal Studies, students learn from and with Aboriginal peoples, communities, and other sources of Aboriginal voice. Learning from and with Aboriginal peoples and communities is integral to students developing and extending respectful ways of thinking, communicating, understanding, and acting. Through their learning in this subject, students draw on elements of history, sociology, politics, arts, and literature.

Students acknowledge and extend their understanding of the narratives and accomplishments as told by Aboriginal peoples, and reflect on the impact of past events on the present. Students analyse the historical and contemporary experiences that are of significance to Aboriginal peoples and communities. They examine the intergenerational influence and impact of government policies, past and present, on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples and communities today. Students investigate experiences of ongoing resistance and survival, and learn about initiatives and accomplishments developed in response to these experiences.

Diversity is at the heart of learning in Aboriginal Studies. Students develop their understanding of the diversity of Aboriginal peoples’ identities and experiences, including cultural, political, linguistic, and contextual diversity.

Topics previously undertaken were:

  • Community Experience: Historical
  • Community Experience: Family Tree
  • Community Experience: Enterprise
  • Community Experience: Language

This course leads to Stage 2 Aboriginal Studies.

Assessment:

Students’ performance will be determined according to the subject’s Performance Standards, as outlined by the SACE Board. Grades A to E will be used for reporting purposes. The following assessment types enable students to demonstrate their learning in Stage 1 Aboriginal Studies:

  • Assessment Type 1: Learning Journey
  • Assessment Type 2: Creative Presentation

For a 10-credit subject, students should provide evidence of their learning through four assessments. Each assessment type should have a weighting of at least 20%. Students undertake:

  • three responses for the learning journey
  • one creative presentation