Overview

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.

Wanju Boodjah is a unique opportunity to learn about Nyungar people and culture on Nyungar land. It explores Nyungar identity and Boodjah (land), Moort (family) and Kadidjiny (knowledge). It engages with important issues facing Nyungar people and contemporary expressions of Nyungar culture. Students will take field trips to sites of significance, meet Elders and community members. This unit's critical framework is taken from Nyungar and Indigenous life-writing and scholarship and its intersections with non-Indigenous writing about Aboriginal people.

Video Feature

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.

Wanju Boodjah is a cultural emersion unit, providing students the opportunity to learn about Nyungar culture primarily from Nyungar and people. Particular emphasis is placed on providing students with ‘on country’ learning experiences and to this end, a number of field trips are built into the course. 

In 2011, students participated in a number of day-long field trips including a tour of Perth’s Kings Park (Kaarta Gar-up),  Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) and New Norica. These field-Trips were facilitated by Nyungar Elders and guides.

Students also took a four-day (three-night) field trip, guided by a Nyungar Elder, through the south- west region of Western Australia. Students visited numerous sites of cultural and historical significance and meet local Nyungar people.

**Please note that from year-to-year students are provided commensurable field trip experiences; however they are subject to change.
 

Academic Focus

Course Objectives

Australian Aboriginal Culture is the oldest living in culture in the world. Murdoch University’s Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre offers you the unique opportunity to learn about Australian Aboriginal culture. The course focuses on the ‘Nyungar’ (Aboriginal) People from the South-west region of Western Australia.

The objectives of this course are to:

1. Introduce you to a range of knowledge about Nyungar country, people, culture and identity

2. Explore the impact of colonisation on Nyungar culture and identity.

3. Introduce you to the role Nyungar people have played in the social and economic development of south-west Western Australia.

4. Explore contemporary issues facing Nyungar people.

5. Develop your academic communications skills such as critical thinking and writing.

    

Course Structure

Course structure will be a combination of:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Field trips
• Film screenings
• Readings
• AV materials

Assessment

Assessment activities include:

1. Tutorial participation informed by critical engagement with readings and other source materials.

2. Reflective learning journals

3. A major essay

4. Exam

Credits

Upon successful completion of this course students will receive 5 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

• The learning experience will be led by academics from the Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre, Aboriginal Elders and other Aboriginal community members.

• Study in Perth, Western Australia – one Australia’s best-kept secrets and most beautiful coastal cities 

• Earn 5 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.

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.

Group Flights

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad works together with STA Travel's group ticket office to arrange group flights for all short course students. This ensures 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 GlobaLinks Learning Abroad 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

Additionally, group flights have a flexible return date. Students may choose their own return date to allow for personal travel after the conclusion of the program. Many students choose to extend their time overseas and travel independently after the program's end. We can provide you with useful travel resources and advice, as well as refer you to travel opportunities that can be pre-booked.

Scholarships Available

Scholarship offered to GlobaLinks Learning Abroad students through Murdoch University

Murdoch University will award one 2011 GlobaLinks Learning Abroad 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
 

Photo Slideshow

Watch a slideshow of photos documenting the Wanju Boodjah: Aboriginal Studies program and other photos of (Western) Australia 

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 Advice

Dates

Entry Requirements

Programs in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji Coordinator

Name: Kimberly Tibbetts Title: Manager, Short Term Programs Department: Australia or New Zealand Summer or January Programs Team BIO: Kimberly is the Manager of Short Term Programs. Kimberly works with all Short Term Program Participants studying in Australia and New Zealand. 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, Australia and Western Europe. She is very excited about spreading her passion for education and travel.