Indigenous theological, spiritual and relational ways of knowing
shape the ways we can teach, preach, learn and practice our faith.
The University seeks to ensure that culturally appropriate pastoral and academic support is available to all Indigenous students and staff of the University.
To find out more about units, including when it is next scheduled, type the unit title or code into the UMS search bar.
Aboriginal Cultures and Spirituality
This unit is designed for students who wish to learn about Aboriginal culture and spirituality in both its ‘traditional’ and ‘contemporary’ versions. The unit will introduce students to the key language, concepts and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and spirituality. It will also contrast this way of doing and seeing life with that of the dominant Australian culture. Some work will be done on the status of Aboriginal cultures and spirituality in some Aboriginal forms of Christianity.
The unit is offered as a second or third level undergraduate unit and as a postgraduate elective unit. It may be taken as stand-alone unit, or as part of a university award such as the Bachelor of Theology or Master of Divinity. Speak with the academic dean or registrar of your college if you are unsure about how to fit the unit into your course.
Prerequisites
Unit codes: IS2002M, IS3002M, IS9002M
Yarta Wandatha: The land is speaking, the people are speaking (DA1741Z) is taught by Uniting College for Leadership and Theology.
Learn about the impact of Christian mission on Aboriginal lands and communities and then explore the gifts lying within Aboriginal wisdom for a more expansive and generous practice of ethical ministry today in these lands now called Australia.
This unit will be co-taught with Adnyamathanha elders and leaders and includes immersion on Yarta (Country).
The unit is offered as a first level undergraduate unit. It may be taken as stand-alone subject, or as part of a a university award such as undergraduate studies in the area of theology and ministry. Speak with the academic dean or registrar of your college if you are unsure about how to fit the unit into your course.
Unit codes: DA1741Z
Kungan Kaldowinyeri: Listening to Creation is taught by Uniting College for Leadership and Theology.
For Indigenous peoples, theological understanding is sourced in the land, sea and sky. This wisdom is ancient, integrating physical and spiritual realms. In this unit we will immerse ourselves in Indigenous knowledge by learning to listen through our six senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell and spirit) on country, as well as reading published resources.
This unit is co-taught with Kukabrak Ngarrindjeri elders and leaders and includes immersion on Yarluwe-Ruwe (Sea Country).
The unit is offered as a third level undergraduate unit. It may be taken as stand-alone subject, or as part of a a university award such as undergraduate studies in the area of theology and ministry. Speak with the academic dean or registrar of your college if you are unsure about how to fit the unit into your course.
Unit codes: CT3744Z
The unit will introduce students to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander approaches to theology. After an introduction to methods commonly used by Indigenous theologians and to the history of Indigenous-Colonial relations on this continent, sustained attention will be given to Indigenous approaches to spirituality, the divine, Christ, ritual and church, creation, justice and hope.
The unit is offered as a foundational Indigenous Studies unit at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It may be taken as stand-alone unit, or as part of a University award such as the Bachelor of Theology or Master of Divinity. Speak with the academic dean or registrar of your college if you are unsure about how to fit the unit into your course.
Unit codes: IS1001M, IS8001M
The unit will introduce students to Indigenous ways of reading Christian Scripture. Sustained attention will be given to Indigenous methods of reading and also to a consideration of specific texts which have had a significant impact on Indigenous people (either for good or for ill). Topics for study will include the place of Scripture within Indigenous spirituality, theology and ritual; the historic impact of colonial interpretations of Scripture on Indigenous people; and Indigenous reading strategies (hermeneutics); interpretations of Scripture in Indigenous art.
The unit is offered as a second or third level undergraduate Indigenous Studies unit and at postgraduate elective level. It may be taken as stand-alone unit, or as part of a University award such as the Bachelor of Theology or Master of Divinity. Speak with the academic dean or registrar of your college if you are unsure about how to fit the unit into your course.
Unit codes: IS2001M, IS3001M, IS9001M
Banner image (top): Yarta Wandatha. Photo credit: Rosemary Dewerse, Uniting College for Leadership and Theology (2025)
Banner image (below): Yarning. Photo credit: Rosemary Dewerse, Uniting College for Leadership and Theology (2025)
Opportunities to learn directly from Indigenous communities and traditions, on Country.