USQ LogoCourse specification

KNL1002 Torres Strait Islander Studies

Semester 2, 2012 External Toowoomba
Units : 1
Faculty or Section : Faculty of Arts
School or Department : Centre for Australian Indigenous Knowledges
Version produced : 30 December 2013

Contents on this page


Examiner: Bill McCann
Moderator: John Williams-Mozley


Education involves, in part, the transmission of the culture of a society. Australian society is fortunate in that it supports a variety of cultural groups, each with its own system of beliefs, ways of doing things and ways of communicating (Department of Education, Queensland, 1:94). Furthermore, Australia has two cultural groups, which can claim Indigenous status - the Australian Aborigines and the peoples of Torres Strait. All Australians need to have an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures within Australia and how they interact. Torres Strait Islander cultures differ greatly from Aboriginal cultures and societies. Hence, a study of Torres Strait Islander's unique and diverse cultures and societies provides an avenue for the development and consolidation of an understanding and appreciation of all peoples, their cultures and societies. The course has three major categories that have been developed from a central core. The core is the presentation of knowledge and experiences through Torres Strait Islander perspectives and viewpoints. In so doing concepts may be presented in a manner that differs from the learner's understanding. The aim of presenting a Torres Strait Islander perspective is to correct the imbalance in knowledge and understanding of Australia's history and Indigenous groups, which has predominated since invasion.


The content and structure of the course emphasize the need for students to adopt a greater educational stance and understanding in the area of Torres Strait Island Studies. Hence, the course seeks to broaden the awareness of students of the Torres Strait Islands and its peoples on the basis of a knowledge and understanding of, and empathy towards, those people who are the original inhabitants of the Torres Strait. Throughout the course, four major dimensions will be explored: The history and colonisation of the Torres Strait,Torres Strait Islander social, economic and legislative-political structures, Policies and practices in relation to education for Torres Strait Islander peoples, Significant Torres Strait Island cultures: customs, languages, protocols, and the Arts.


On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

  1. identify geographical, geological and maritime features of the Torres Strait as part of Queensland and Australia;
  2. understand the history of the Torres Strait before and after colonisation;
  3. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Torres Strait Islander identity, cultures and society within a contemporary cultural context;
  4. explain a respect for, and understanding of, Torres Strait Islander peoples' cultures, traditional languages, lifestyles/customs and attitudes;
  5. discuss awareness and appreciation of the socio-cultural, political and economic positon of Torres Strait Islander people in contemporary society;
  6. demonstrate understanding of Torres Strait Islander peoples' desires for access to and participation in, education which does not deny their heritage;
  7. suggest strategies for increasing the involvement of community-based Torres Strait Islander people and other professionals (i.e. knowledge providers) in the Torres Strait community;
  8. identify current policies and practices which relate to Torres Strait Islander peoples and their interaction with the wider Australian community;
  9. demonstrate cultural literacy skills by exploring aspects of Torres Strai Islander cultures, identity, social context, political context, and relevant government policies;
  10. demonstrate written communication skills by preparing and submitting an academic essay;
  11. demonstrate academic and professional literacy skills by preparing and submitting a critical reflection journal.


Description Weighting(%)
1. The history and colonisation of the Torres Strait 20.00
2. Torres Strait Islander social and cultural customs - Ailan Kastom 20.00
3. Socio-economic conditions in the Torres Strait 20.00
4. Torres Strait Island legislation and politics 20.00
5. Communications in Torres Strait - working with Torres Strait Islander people 20.00

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed


Please contact us for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (

  • There are no texts or materials required for this course.

Reference materials

  • Beckett, J 1989, Torres Strait Islanders: custom and colonialism, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
  • Connolly, S and Graham, T(Producers) 1994, Land Bilong Islanders-a background to the historic Mabo ruling, Ronin Films, Canberra.
  • Davis, R 2004, Woven histories, dancing lives: Torres Strait Islander identity, culture and history, Acton, ACT.
  • Loos, N & Mabo, K 1996, Edward Koik Mabo-his struggle for land rights, University of Queensland Press, St Lucia, Queensland.
  • Nakata, M 2007, Disciplining the savages: savaging the disciplines, Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra.

Student workload requirements

Activity Hours
Assessments 30.00
Directed Study 39.00
Private Study 96.00

Assessment details

Description Marks out of Wtg (%) Due Date Notes
ESSAY 40 40 17 Aug 2012
ESSAY AND REFLECTION 40 40 05 Oct 2012
MOD 5 SUMMARY 20 20 26 Oct 2012

Important assessment information

  1. Attendance requirements:
    There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students? responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. Students must attend and complete the requirements of the Workplace Health and Safety training program for this course where required

  2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:

  3. Penalties for late submission of required work:



  6. Examination information:
    There is no examination in this course.


  8. University Student Policies:

Assessment notes











Other requirements
