About Indigenous Studies
CAIS offers units that aim to encourage students to understand the past and contemporary experiences of Indigenous Australians. Students will acquire a general knowledge of many different aspects of Australian Indigenous cultures and of how these cultures have undergone change and adaptation. Such understanding will require students to construct critical arguments and analyse topics studied in their historical and contemporary contexts. Courses in Australian Indigenous Studies (AIS) aim to assist students to develop a good knowledge base about key issues in Indigenous societies.
Units offered by Australian Indigenous Studies combine the study of social anthropology and contemporary experiences of Australian Aborigines by including the study of kinship, political, and linguistic systems in urban and remote societies and the contrasts between Indigenous and non-Indigenous societies. Introductory units examine Indigenous lifestyles, pre and post-invasion, and the concept of continuity, which provides a focus on understanding the importance of land. Study of the post-invasion period examines the effects of colonisation on Indigenous societies and economies, past and presents governmental policies and their effects on organisations and communities.
Teaching in the Centre includes lectures and small tutorial and seminar groups, which encourage debate and inquiry. Presentations, written summaries and essays incorporate reflective, analytical and oral skills specific to Indigenous studies as well as to the Arts degree. A number of Arts Faculty units offered in Australian studies, anthropology, geography, history, politics, environmental science, sociology and women’s studies complement units offered in Indigenous studies. Our courses have strong links with the Programme for Australian Indigenous Archaeology, a new initiative of the School of Geography and Environmental Science.
The Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies offers major/minor sequences and elective units at first, second, third year at both Clayton and Gippsland campuses.
Courses and programs offered
- Undergraduate
We offer major/minor sequences and elective units at first, second, third year at both Clayton and Gippsland campuses. - Honours
- Postgraduate coursework
- Masters by research and PhD
Teaching staff
Professor Lynette Russell is Director of Monash Aboriginal Programs.
The teaching staff includes:
A major aim of the Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies is to provide excellent and culturally appropriate undergraduate, honours and postgraduate courses of study.
Inquiries and enrolment advice
Inquiries are welcomed about courses and unit information:
CAIS Enrolment Adviser
Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies
Room 216, Building 55 (Museum of Art Building)
Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800
Telephone: +61 3 9905 4200
Fax: +61 3 9902 0321
Email: cais@arts.monash.edu.au