Learning Outcomes
- H3.1 assesses the effectiveness of government policies, legislation and legal, decisions in addressing discrimination
- H3.2 evaluates the impact of key government policies, legislation and legal decisions on the socioeconomic status of Aboriginal peoples and communities
Aboriginal Studies and the Legislature – Program Information
The Aboriginal Studies and the Legislature program is a curriculum-aligned learning experience designed to support the Aboriginal Studies Stage 6 Syllabus by deepening students’ understanding of how legislation, government policies and parliamentary decision-making affect Aboriginal peoples and communities.
This program parallels the long-running Legal Studies and the Legislature program, which is based on the Legal Studies Syllabus. In the same way that program assists Legal Studies students to explore the legal system, this program provides Aboriginal Studies students with targeted opportunities to connect syllabus content directly to the processes of the NSW Parliament.
Program Overview
Sitting Days
On sitting days, students participate in a workshop tailored to the Aboriginal Studies syllabus. They then visit the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council Chambers to observe Parliament in action. Where possible, students meet their local Member of Parliament.
Non-Sitting Days
On non-sitting days, students take part in a 90-minute workshop followed by a 30-minute guided tour of the chambers.
Virtual Delivery
A video conference version of the program is available via Microsoft Teams or Zoom at a time suitable for teachers between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm during the school term.
Maximum group size: 50 students
Booking enquiry link: insert link here
Syllabus Links
The Aboriginal Studies and the Legislature program is aligned with the Aboriginal Studies Stage 6 Syllabus and is designed to support students in meeting key HSC outcomes related to government policy, legislation, legal decisions, and their impacts on Aboriginal peoples and communities.
Schools may choose to focus on one of the following syllabus areas:
Option 1 — Part II: B Heritage and Identity |
Option 2 — Part II: A Aboriginality and the Land |
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H3.2: Evaluates the impact of key government policies, legislation and legal decisions on the socioeconomic status of Aboriginal peoples and communities. 01 Aboriginal Studies and the L… Focus: 01 Aboriginal Studies and the L… Students learn about:
Students learn to:
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H3.2: Evaluates the impact of key government policies, legislation and legal decisions on the socioeconomic status of Aboriginal peoples and communities. 01 Aboriginal Studies and the L… Focus: 01 Aboriginal Studies and the L… Students learn about:
Students learn to:
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H3.2: Evaluates the impact of key government policies, legislation and legal decisions on the socioeconomic status of Aboriginal peoples and communities.
(Also linked to land rights, native title, and government responses.)
01 Aboriginal Studies and the L…
Focus:
This option investigates the efforts of Aboriginal peoples to reassert sovereign title to Country and the wide-ranging impacts of these efforts on Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.
01 Aboriginal Studies and the L…
Students learn about:
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Key concepts related to land rights and native title, including Country, customary lore, spirituality, sovereignty, terra nullius
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The history of the land rights and native title movements
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Government responses through NSW and Commonwealth legislation and policies
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The impact of land and water rights legislation and native title legislation (including major High Court decisions)
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Aboriginal community responses to law, policy and legislative change.
01 Aboriginal Studies and the L…
Students learn to:
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Assess the impact of land and water rights legislation and/or native title legislation and related government policies on an Aboriginal community.
About This Program
Program options
| Program | Times | Content |
| Aboriginal Studies and the Legislature on a sitting day. (Recommended) 120 mins |
Tuesday: 11:45am-1:45pm Wednesday & Thursday: 10 am – 12 pm |
Program presentation, observation of Question Time and chat with member (schedules allowing) |
| Aboriginal Studies and the Legislature on a non-sitting day. (Subject to availability) 120 mins |
Monday and Friday: 9, 10 or 11 am Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday – 9, 10, 11 am, 12 or 1 pm |
Seminar presentation and short role play in each Chamber |
| Aboriginal Studies and the Legislature Videoconference (Teams or ZOOM) 45-60 mins | Teacher’s choice of time (between 8:30am-2:30pm) | Online program presentation |
