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Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
    Online students attend compulsory residential workshops at Lismore campus for some units.

  • Placements

    Yes

  • Course abbreviation

    BIndigK

  • Course code

    3009250

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

Southern Cross University is renowned for its commitment to Indigenous education. The Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge is an important part of that dedication towards better environmental, social and economic outcomes.

The course generates greater understanding of Indigenous world views, by exploring histories, knowledge systems, determinants of health and wellbeing and ways of living, in a culturally diverse and supportive environment. You will build theoretical and practical capability in areas including cultural protocols and Indigenous ways of knowing and being. You'll learn to engage with communities and work towards better environmental, social and economic outcomes while completing a professional placement. You can focus your degree with a major in Indigenous Knowledge or choose a shared major from disciplines across the University. 

Graduates may consider diverse career opportunities in government, commercial or social enterprise, land management, Indigenous tourism, and Aboriginal, family or environmental health.

Eligible graduates can also apply for further study through Honours and other postgraduate programs.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Exercise analytical thinking, critical thinking and and reasoning and problem solving skills.

GA2: Creativity

Demonstrate innovative, sensitive, creative responses and solutions to challenges in cultural and Indigenous community contexts.

GA3: Ethical practice

Demonstrate a knowledge of, and commitment to, social responsibility, ethics and human rights in cultural and Indigenous contexts.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of cultural concepts and Indigenous ways of knowing and being including physical, social, political, ecological or cultural influences that impact Indigenous cultural settings.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Integrate responsibility for independent, self-directed learning and reflective practice including the ability to locate, analyse, evaluate, and use information from a range of sources.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Demonstrate collaboration, teamwork and communication skills in cultural and Indigenous settings through communicating sensitively and appropriately in oral and written forms.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate an understanding of Indigenous contemporary realities and protocols by applying and integrating social, Indigenous and cultural diversity, and respect for the identity of all persons.

This course includes a professional placement of 54 hours.

You can focus your degree with a major in Indigenous Knowledge or design your own degree by choosing a shared major from disciplines across the University and combine more of your interests.

Eligible graduates of the Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge can apply to undertake the one-year Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge with Honours, as a pathway to the Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies or to other postgraduate programs in the University.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Term 1 N/A N/A
Online Term 1 N/A N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.0
Listeningminimum 5.5
Readingminimum 5.5
Speakingminimum 5.5
Writingminimum 5.5

Credit for prior learning

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is available for this course. For more information please view the Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge RPL guide.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:

  • 16 core units (192 credit points), and
  • 1 major (96 credit points) OR
  • 1 shared major (96 credit points) OR
  • 8 university wide electives (96 credit points).

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Indigenous Knowledge after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points) comprising 8 core units and 8 elective/major units.

Students may be eligible to exit with the Diploma of Indigenous Knowledge after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) comprising 5 core units and 3 elective units.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

INDG1006 Indigenous Scholarship
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
N/A
INDG1004 Aboriginal Cultural Strengths
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
Term1
INDG1002 Indigenous Knowledge
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2,4
N/A
INDG2003 Country, Culture and Heritage
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
N/A
INDG3001 Caring for Country
Term3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3,5
Term3
Enrolment information This unit has a compulsory 5-day residential for internal and online students.
INDG5001 Living Knowledge: The Rights of Country
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3
N/A
INDG1011 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Issues
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term4
N/A
INDG1003 The Mental Health of Australian Indigenous Peoples
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term4
N/A

Second Year

INDG1010 Trauma and Resilience I
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
N/A
INDG1009 Colonising Histories
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
N/A
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
Summer Term
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Summer Term
Term2,4
Summer Term
Term2,4
INDG2015 Aboriginal Social Enterprise I
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
N/A
INDG2008 Racism and Eugenics
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3
N/A
INDG2012 Indigenous Rights
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3
Term3
INDG2013 Aboriginal Community Organisations: Ethics and Sustainability
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term4
N/A
INDG3004 Indigenous Australians in Education
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term4
N/A
Enrolment information This unit is relevant to education students.

Third Year

INDG2010 Indigenous Health Promotion I
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
N/A
INDG1007 Introduction to Indigenous Research
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
N/A
INDG2005 Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement)
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
N/A
Enrolment information This unit has a compulsory 5-day residential for internal and online students.
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
INDG2011 Aboriginal Social Realities
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3
N/A
INDG3002 Independent Study: Indigenous Research Project
Term3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3,5
N/A
Enrolment information Gnibi recommends that students have completed INDG1007 - Introduction to Indigenous Research AND INDG2005 - Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement) before enrolling in this unit.
INDG2016 Aboriginal Social Enterprise II
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term4
N/A
Enrolment information Gnibi recommends that students should be enrolled in or have completed INDG2015 - Aboriginal Social Enterprise I before enrolling in INDG2016 - Aboriginal Social Enterprise II
INDG3003 Working with Aboriginal Communities II (Professional Placement)
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term4
N/A
Enrolment information Gnibi recommends that students should be enrolled in or have completed INDG2005 - Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement) before enrolling in INDG3003 - Working with Aboriginal Communities II (Professional Placement)

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

INDG1006 Indigenous Scholarship
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
N/A
INDG1004 Aboriginal Cultural Strengths
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
Term1
INDG1002 Indigenous Knowledge
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2,4
N/A
INDG2003 Country, Culture and Heritage
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
N/A
INDG3001 Caring for Country
Term3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3,5
Term3
Enrolment information This unit has a compulsory 5-day residential for internal and online students.
Shared Major Unit OR Elective
INDG1011 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Issues
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term4
N/A
INDG1003 The Mental Health of Australian Indigenous Peoples
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term4
N/A

Second Year

Shared Major Unit OR Elective
INDG1009 Colonising Histories
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
N/A
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
Summer Term
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Summer Term
Term2,4
Summer Term
Term2,4
INDG2015 Aboriginal Social Enterprise I
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
N/A
Shared Major Unit OR Elective
INDG2012 Indigenous Rights
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3
Term3
Shared Major Unit OR Elective
INDG3004 Indigenous Australians in Education
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term4
N/A
Enrolment information This unit is relevant to education students.

Third Year

INDG2010 Indigenous Health Promotion I
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1
N/A
Shared Major Unit OR Elective
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
INDG2005 Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement)
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
N/A
Enrolment information This unit has a compulsory 5-day residential for internal and online students.
Shared Major Unit OR Elective
INDG3002 Independent Study: Indigenous Research Project
Term3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3,5
N/A
Enrolment information Gnibi recommends that students have completed INDG1007 - Introduction to Indigenous Research AND INDG2005 - Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement) before enrolling in this unit.
Shared Major Unit OR Elective
Shared Major Unit OR Elective

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Core Units
INDG1006 Indigenous Scholarship
INDG1002 Indigenous Knowledge
INDG1004 Aboriginal Cultural Strengths
INDG2005 Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement)
INDG3002 Independent Study: Indigenous Research Project
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
INDG1009 Colonising Histories
INDG2012 Indigenous Rights
INDG1003 The Mental Health of Australian Indigenous Peoples
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
INDG2003 Country, Culture and Heritage
INDG1011 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Issues
INDG3004 Indigenous Australians in Education
INDG3001 Caring for Country
INDG2015 Aboriginal Social Enterprise I
INDG2010 Indigenous Health Promotion I
Students can select either the below listed Indigenous Knowledge major (96 credit points), OR one university shared major (96 credit points) OR eight elective units (96 credit points) from university wide offerings.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
INDG1007 Introduction to Indigenous Research
INDG1010 Trauma and Resilience I
INDG2016 Aboriginal Social Enterprise II
INDG2008 Racism and Eugenics
INDG2011 Aboriginal Social Realities
INDG5001 Living Knowledge: The Rights of Country
INDG2013 Aboriginal Community Organisations: Ethics and Sustainability
INDG3003 Working with Aboriginal Communities II (Professional Placement)