The Contemporary Australian Indigenous Music Studies course is designed to give students the knowledge and skills to interact with Australian Indigenous music in its contexts inclusive of narratives and issues pertinent to the music and its peoples. Students will examine a range of protocols and TCEs (traditional cultural expressions) that serve to inform them in their research and practical assignments and/or engagements with Australian Indigenous music. A comprehensive study of contemporary Australian Indigenous music styles and aural analysis of the same serves to introduce students to a widening cultural biography and a living culture with which they can have relationship.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- identify and explain aspects of 'traditional' Australian Indigenous music;
- critically analyse and evaluate Australian Indigenous music with reference to style, aural awareness, context, narratives and issues;
- identify and explain aspects of Australian policy pertaining to our Indigenous people in the C20th, and how it has shaped content in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander music; and
- actively engage with Australian Indigenous peoples and their songs, and from a culturally informed position pertaining to protocols and TCEs (traditional cultural practices), in either information or performance environments.
Indicative Assessment
- Tutorial participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Analysis/Essay (2,000 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Oral Presentation, 15 minutes (20) [LO 2,4]
- Final Examination, 2 hours (held during the formal examination period) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks including lectures, workshops and workshop-like activities; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
None
Prescribed Texts
Texts will be provided on Wattle.
Preliminary Reading
Repertoire list with accompanying reader.
Assumed Knowledge
To enrol in this course you must have completed 24 units of tertiary courses, or with consent of the Convener.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 12
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4020 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $5580 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8142 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | View |