IND734 - Australian Aboriginal Holistic Health and Healing
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Nichole Lister |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour online lecture per week 1 x 1-hour online seminar (interactive) per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the trimester undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
This unit critically evaluates theories, policies, research reports and practices currently being implemented for the Social and Emotional Health, Healing and Wellbeing of Australian Aboriginal people. Health promotion frameworks will contextualise the initial and ongoing impact of colonisation on Aboriginal peoples' social and emotional health and wellbeing, and students will independently identify an aspect of Aboriginal health and wellbeing to research. Community and individual health is understood to be a complex relationship that is interdependent and holistic, connected to the land and incorporating the past and the future.
The critical role of universal indigenous healing programs and 'place-based' decolonising strategies will be analysed with examples of effective trauma, substance abuse, mental health programs and other current initiatives. Cultural approaches to health and healing along with the need to develop appropriate engagement protocols will be discussed. Students will examine the dynamics of Community and population specific health, including alternative medicines, plants and healing practices in order to adapt and implement culturally appropriate solutions to these complex challenges.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Review and analyse policies and/or research reports in relation to Australian Aboriginal health and wellbeing and critically evaluate the effectiveness of current solutions to the ongoing impacts of colonisation and the aim to "close the gap". | GLO1: Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO2 | Investigate, analyse and apply advanced theoretical models of universal health and wellbeing within Australia Aboriginal contexts with consideration of global First Nations' dimensions of health including spirituality, and develop culturally appropriate strategies and protocols to promote community and individual health and wellbeing. | GLO1: Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO8: Global citizenship |
| ULO3 | Utilise digital technologies to research the range and characteristics of successful Australian Aboriginal Community led programs to identify the critical dynamics and consider ways to apply these approaches systematically to increase the efficacy of these programs. | GLO1: Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO4 | Implement a holistic perspective to judiciously determine appropriateness of incorporating specific populations' cultural knowledge and approaches to social and emotional health and wellbeing into policy or program initiatives. | GLO1: Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO6: Self-management GLO8: Global citizenship |
| ULO5 | Investigate and evaluate alternative medicines and therapies and their ongoing contributions to health and wellbeing and critically reflect on the role of Country in health and wellbeing initiatives. | GLO1: Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year.
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Case Study Analysis | 1500 words or equivalent | 30% | Week 5 |
| Assessment 2: Research Report | 2200 words or equivalent | 45% | Week 9 |
| Assessment 3: Health Campaign | 1300 words or equivalent | 25% | Week 12 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
There is no prescribed text. Unit materials are provided via the unit site. This includes unit topic readings and references to further information.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.