NSW Department of Education and Communities Sites2See

Reconciliation—Syllabus links

A selection of NSW syllabus learning outcomes that relate to reconciliation.

Values and Attitudes

Social justice

  • Showing concern for the welfare, rights and dignity of all people

  • Recognising past inequalities and injustices

  • Rejecting racism, sexism and other forms of prejudice

  • Showing commitment to redressing disadvantage and changing discriminatory and violent practices.

Intercultural understanding

  • Identifying and appreciating the cultural, linguistic and spiritual heritages of oneself and others.

  • Respecting different viewpoints, ways of living, belief systems and languages.

  • Empathising with people of different cultures and societies;

  • Recognising that cultural and religious groups may differ in their views on moral issues.

  • Supporting cultural diversity within a cohesive society.

Democratic processes

  • Showing commitment to individual freedom and to the rights and responsibilities of participating in a democracy.

  • Respecting different viewpoints and choices, and showing commitment to peaceful ways of resolving conflict.

  • Using democratic means to become agents of change for the improvement of society.

Outcomes and indicators

Change and Continuity—Significant events and people

CCS3.1 Explains the significance of particular people, groups, places actions and events in the past in developing Australian identities and heritage.

Research some Australian human rights issues, past and present

Change and Continuity—Time and Change

CCS3.2 Explains the development of the principles of Australian democracy

Examines issues that have influenced the development of Australian democracy eg reconciliation.

Objectives and outcomes

a knowledge and understanding of significant developments in Australia’s social, political and cultural history

5.1

explains social, political and cultural developments and events and evaluates their impact on Australian life

a knowledge and understanding of the changing rights and freedoms of Aboriginal peoples and other groups in Australia.

5.3

explains the changing rights and freedoms of Aboriginal peoples and other groups in Australia

Section A—Aboriginal Peoples—change over time

changing government policies towards Aboriginal peoples over time, including:

  • protection

  • assimilation

  • integration

  • self-determination.

account for continuity and/or change over time in the relevant study.

Objectives and outcomes

a knowledge and understanding of how physical, cultural, economic and political factors shape communities including global citizenship

5.8

Accounts for differences within and between Australian communities.

Human rights and reconciliation

  • future challenges for Australia in relation to:

  • human rights

  • reconciliation

  • how other nations have responded to these challenges

  • strategies to address the challenges.

identify human rights agreements

describe responses of individuals, groups and governments in Australia to these challenges

suggest strategies Australia can adopt to address the challenges better in the future.

Objectives and outcomes

Objectives

Preliminary Course outcomes

HSC Course outcomes

A student develops knowledge and understanding about:

A student:

A student:

social justice and human rights issues and how they impact on Aboriginal peoples

P1.2 explains the concepts of social justice and human rights in terms of the consequences of invasion and colonisation for Aboriginal peoples

P1.3 explains a variety of responses to social justice and human rights issues including bias and stereotyping of Aboriginal peoples and cultures

H1.2 analyses and discusses the social justice and human rights issues that are contemporary consequences of the colonisation of Aboriginal and other Indigenous peoples

government policies, legislation and judicial processes and their impact on Aboriginal peoples

P3.1 describes government policies, legislation and judicial processes in relation to racism and discrimination

P3.3 explains the impact of key government policies, legislation and judicial processes in relation to heritage and identity

H3.1 assesses the effectiveness of government policies, legislation and judicial processes in addressing racism and discrimination

H3.3 compares and evaluates current initiatives that reassert the social, economic and political independence of Aboriginal and/or Indigenous peoples

investigate issues and communicate information from a variety of perspectives

P4.3 presents information clearly from Aboriginal perspectives using a variety of media

P4.5 compares the histories and cultures of Indigenous Australian peoples

H4.1 investigates, analyses and synthesises information from Aboriginal and other perspectives

H4.3 communicates information effectively from Aboriginal perspectives, using a variety of media

Values and attitudes

Through Aboriginal Studies, students develop interest in, and form responsible attitudes to:


social justice, through:

  • concern for the rights of Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples

  • respect for the rights of all people

  • commitment to redressing disadvantage, discriminatory practices, racism and injustice.

intercultural understandings through:

  • appreciation of the cultural heritage of Aboriginal peoples

  • respect for the world views, belief systems and languages of Indigenous peoples

  • valuing the cultural diversity of Australia.

  • empathy with Aboriginal peoples’ experiences and views through:

  • commitment to examining social and cultural ideas from Aboriginal perspectives

  • acknowledging the shared history of Australia

Preliminary course content

Part III— Colonialism, Racism and Prejudice

responses to social justice and human rights issues including bias and stereotyping of Aboriginal peoples and cultures.

assess a range of views and interpretations with regard to the effectiveness of government policies, legislation and judicial processes in addressing racism.

HSC course content

Part I—Social Justice and Human Rights Issues

Students learn about: Students learn to:

social justice and racism issues including:

  • government responses locally, nationally and internationally in addressing racism and discrimination

  • Aboriginal initiatives to address racism and discrimination

  • national and international Indigenous human rights issues from a global perspective including reconciliation

  • Aboriginal and Indigenous responses and initiatives to improve their legal and political status, including political struggle and protest

  • the extent to which Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples have achieved recognition and equality in society.

construct coherent written texts to explain and evaluate human rights and responsibilities in regards to contemporary Aboriginal communities and the broader Australian community

analyse and discuss future directions to address social justice and human rights issues

present a balanced argument on social justice and human rights issues.

PART III Research and Inquiry Methods—Major Project

Students could investigate this topic for their major project.

Objectives and outcomes

Students will develop:

A student:

A student:

knowledge and understanding of similarities and diversity in Aboriginal identities, communities and cultural expression.

4.1 identifies factors that contribute to an Aboriginal person’s identity

4.5 Identifies the importance of families and communities to Aboriginal Peoples.

5.1 describes the factors that contribute to an Aboriginal person’s identity

5.5 explains the importance of families and communities to Aboriginal Peoples.

Stage 5

Part 2 Aboriginal autonomy

Students learn about:

Students learn to:

human rights, self-determination and autonomy, including social justice and equity

define and discuss the terms and concepts of ‘human rights’, ‘self-determination’, ‘autonomy’, ‘social justice’ and ‘equity’

describe key aspects of human rights

understand that there are many different rights that apply to all people.

the background to the denial of human rights to Aboriginal Peoples

describe and draw conclusions about the issue of denial of human rights to Aboriginal Peoples

identify ongoing Aboriginal reactions to the denial of human rights.

the relationship of human rights to self-determination and autonomy

draw conclusions about the importance of human rights for Aboriginal autonomy.

the impact of demands for self-determination and autonomy by Aboriginal Peoples on the broader Australian community

identify, gather and interpret information from a variety of sources, including the internet, about the impact of demands for self-determination on Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people over time.