30 May 2011
Indigenous cinema shows reel culture
RMIT University is helping students discover the true depth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders' contribution to Australian cinema.
Simon Rose has been appointed to develop and deliver the "Australian Cinema" elective.
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As the nation celebrates Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June), RMIT is expanding its suite of Indigenous Studies specialisation programs with the addition of the "Australian Cinema" course and the appointment of a new Indigenous Learning Lecturer.
Filmmaker and RMIT alumnus, Simon Rose, recently joined the School of Media and Communication, where he will help develop and teach the elective.
"The Australian Cinema elective is a fantastic opportunity for students to get a real grounding in Australian Indigenous filmmaking practice," Mr Rose said.
"My role as the Indigenous lecturer is assisting students to engage fully with the dynamic and exciting nature of Aboriginal storytelling."
Associate Professor Lisa French said RMIT's Indigenous Studies Specialisation offered students the change to learn about varied aspects of the experiences, perspectives and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and build awareness of issues affecting the international community of Indigenous peoples.
"The specialisation aims to develop graduates who are committed to Indigenous cultures, benefiting Australian society as they enter the workforce with a respect for diversity and with the ability to demonstrate and apply these understandings to workplaces and the community," Associate Professor French said.
"The filmmaking output of Aboriginal Australians forms a substantive and significant part of the history of Australian cinema and, through exposure to this work, students will develop an understanding of the aesthetic, social, cultural and political contexts of Indigenous lives and communities."
The Australian Cinema elective will enable students to undertake an integrated study of the artistic practice of Australian Indigenous filmmakers alongside the broader theories and issues that critically contextualise Australian screen.
Mr Rose will also join with Associate Professor French, the School of Media and Communication's 2011 Indigenous Knowledge and Research Fellow, to undertake a research project in conjunction with Charles Darwin University.
The Darwin-based university has the largest population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Australia, and the collaboration will involve the development of a project aimed at understanding and sharing Indigenous knowledge and protocols.
An important dimension of the Indigenous Knowledge and Research fellowships is to develop research methodologies that take place into account, in particular, the specifics of place in Victoria and the Northern Territory.
RMIT has a long history of commitment to Indigenous education, with the University's dedicated Ngarara Willim Centre providing a welcoming environment for study and cultural interaction, assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in accessing programs and providing support throughout their studies.
Indigenous students are strongly represented in RMIT's scholarship awards, including scholarships established by the University specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in vocational and higher education health-related programs.
Explore the Ngarara Willim playlist on the RMIT YouTube channel to find out more about the Indigenous community at RMIT.
