Overview

*Application Deadline has now been extended to March 30, 2010.

This five week course takes you to Western Australia which is adored for its brilliant blue skies, warm sunny climate, and white sandy beaches. It is a land blessed with some of the world's most precious natural phenomena including the dolphins of Monkey Mia, the 350-million-year-old Bungle Bungle range, and the towering karri forests of the Southwest. Perth, the capital city of the State, is home to 1.38 million people and enjoys more hours of sunshine than any other capital city in Australia. Sophisticated yet uncomplicated, the lifestyle in Western Australia is a relaxed one.

While on this program, you will have the opportunity to go on field trips to places of cultural significance during one of the most important of the Nyungar culture's six seasons: when the rains signal the cleansing of the land, river and ocean. Along the way you will engage in comparisons of colonial and indigenous discourse, perspectives, and reflection.

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Location

You will be based at Murdoch University for the duration of your program undertaking courses with faculty at the campus as well as experiencing field trips in the surrounding regions. The University is located approximately 20 minutes by bus (15 kilometers) from Perth’s city center and 10 minutes by bus from the port city of Fremantle. Murdoch University is consistently rated as one of the top teaching universities in government student surveys and was recently rated the top teaching campus in Western Australia. Murdoch University is committed to the pursuit of excellence and has achieved an international reputation for the quality of its teaching and research.

Examples of local field trip locations and culturally significant*: Wadjuk Boodjah & Beeliar: Maarli Mia/Kaartagarrup/Beeliar (Swan Valley, Kings Park & Swan River regions), Wadjemup (Rottnest Island), Walyuap (Freemantle), the Stirling Ranges, PembertonWardandi (Yallingup)

*Subject to change at the discretion of Murdoch University.

Academic Focus

The broad aims of this program are to:

• Introduce students to a range of knowledge about Nyungar and their place within past and contemporary Australia
• Understand the relationship between social and cultural theory and practice
• Understand how Aborigines, in this case the Nyungar people, have influenced/continue to influence Australian culture
• Enable students to understand Nyungar worldviews.

On successful completion of the program, students should be able to:

• Research and write an essay and present a group workshop on Nyungar culture
• Understand the difference between stereotype and knowledge
• Comprehend Nyungar worldviews
• Develop rudimentary writing, reading and speaking skills in Nyungar, and thereby understanding the importance of narrative in Nyungar society.
  

Course Structure

Elders, academics, and other Australian indigenous community members will participate in the teaching program

• Glen Stasiuk: Director of the Kulbardi Centre, WASA Award winning director of the documentary "The Forgotten".
• Len Collard: Senior Lecturer with Australian Indigenous Studies, is considered a leader in Australian Indigenous Studies, particularly Nyungar culture and language.
• Marie Taylor: Instructor of Nyungar Cultural Studies at Murdoch University and Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre, works to ensure that Nyungar culture, traditions, and language can be maintained.

Each on-campus day of classes will incorporate a mix of lecture, seminar, small group tutorial (yarning) discussions, and practical work. Lectures will cover a range of topics including, but not limited to:

• Cosmology "The Story of Nyungar Creation"
• Nyungar the People: Nyungar Cultural Identity – A Theoretical Framework
• First Contact – Dutch & Portuguese History
• Nyungar & Wedjela Interactions
• Contemporary Issues
• Nyungar Cartograpy
• Trade and Tourism Reflection Daily 
   

Assessment

Course assignments will be a combination of the following:

• Journal - sketches, images, descriptions, and reflections on readings
• Language - oral language tests (four tests at 5 percent each)
• Paper - 1,000–1,500 words comparative analysis
• Group presentation
• Individual participation

Credits

Upon successful completion of this course students will receive 6-8 U.S. credits on an official transcript from Murdoch University.

Program Highlights

• Immerse yourself in Australia’s fascinating Aboriginal culture by learning about the Nyungar people and culture
• Learn from three of Australia’s leading experts on Aboriginal studies
• Study in Perth, Western Australia – one Australia’s best-kept secrets and most beautiful coastal cities 
• Earn 8 US credits upon sucessful completion of course.

Who Should Apply

Open to students of all majors and at least sophomore standing. May be of particular interest to those studying sociology, history, cultural studies, anthropology, or related fields.

Travel: Group Flights

AustraLearn works together with STA Travel's group ticket office to arrange group flights for all short course students. This insures that students can travel as a cohesive group to the program destination. Airfare is not included in program fees and payment of airfare is the responsibility of the student, however AustraLearn seeks the lowest possible student rate before reserving seats for participants to purchase, while still maintaining the flexibility that allows students to explore the country or surrounding countries at the conclusion of their short term program.  

Flexible Return Date

Scholarships Available

Scholarship offered to AustraLearn students through Murdoch University

Murdoch University will award one 2010 AustraLearn participant a $500 AUD scholarship. This opportunity may be available all students accepted into this program will receive the scholarship application upon acceptance into the program

Accommodations

Wanju Boodjah: Aboriginal Studies in Western Australia short term program will house students at a variety of different venues based on the location of the program.
Students will begin and end their program on the Murdoch University campus. During this time students will be housed at Murdoch Campus Village. Students will placed in shared accommodation (apartments/flats) with other Murdoch University students, these students may be studying other courses at Murdoch and may be from Australia or other countries. The flats have shared living areas and single bedrooms, shared bathroom facilities and each apartment is fully furnished with a fully equipped kitchen. Laundry facilities (coin operated) are also available in the village.

While on the fieldtrips, accommodations will vary and may include good quality, budget-style resort/lodge or backpacker accommodations.

You can feel certain that your housing will be safe, secure, and clean, and that you will be satisfied with your short course program choice.

Fees

Fee Includes

Program Fees are in U.S. dollars. Program fees include tuition, host university administrative fees, field trips to culturally significant sites, lectures, excursions, meals on field trips, airport pickup, in-country transportation, accommodations, health insurance, ISIC Basic Card and official transcript. Fees include all pre-trip services such as: orientation materials, visa assistance, housing placements, personal advising, liaise with your home university, credit transfer assistance, and financial aid services.

**Fees do not include international airfare and meals on the Murdoch University campus, along with personal expenses and excursions.

Fee Semester

Dates

Entry Requirements

University Specific Scholarships

AustraLearn Coordinator

Name: Kimberly Tibbetts Title: Manager, Short Term Programs Department: Short Courses and Specialty Programs BIO: Kimberly is the Manager of Short Term Programs at AustraLearn. Kimberly works with all Short Term Program Participants. Kimberly graduated with a BA in History from the University of Colorado-Boulder. While studying at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, Kimberly discovered a love for travel and international education. She has traveled extensively throughout New Zealand and hopes to see more of Australia and Europe. She is very excited about spreading her passion for education and travel.