INDIGEN 712 : Indigenous Psychologies
Arts
2025 Semester Two (1255) (30 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This paper invites students into the rich and evolving field of Indigenous Psychologies, where ways of understanding mind, self, and healing are deeply grounded in cultural, spiritual, and relational worldviews. Developed by Indigenous peoples across the globe—often in response to the limitations and harms of dominant Western psychological models—these approaches offer powerful insights into wellbeing, identity, and resilience. Students will engage critically with both psychological and Indigenous knowledges, exploring how concepts like selfhood, psychological challenges, and healing are understood and practised in diverse Indigenous contexts. The course sheds light on the historical and material conditions that have shaped Indigenous lives, including the enduring impacts of colonisation, globalisation, and systemic exclusion, while also affirming the strength, creativity, and innovation embedded in Indigenous ways of being. Through topics such as cultural identity, Indigenous-led interventions, and the role of language, narrative, and land in sustaining wellness, students are encouraged to reflect deeply and ethically on the nature of psychology itself. This is a paper for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students alike—those who are ready to question, listen, unlearn, and imagine new pathways toward individual and collective flourishing
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluate the historical, cultural, and socio-political contexts that have shaped the development of Indigenous psychologies globally and within specific Indigenous communities. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8)
- Analyse and apply Indigenous psychological frameworks to contemporary issues related to health, healing, identity, and wellbeing at both individual and collective levels. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8)
- Compare and contrast Indigenous and Western psychological paradigms, highlighting the implications for research, practice, and policy in diverse cultural settings. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8)
- Demonstrate reflexive insight into the role of power, colonisation, and cultural resurgence in shaping psychological understandings, with a view to advancing decolonial and Indigenous-led approaches to mental health and wellbeing. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8)
- Demonstrate respectful, collaborative learning with peers recognising the value of relationality, reciprocity, and collective knowledge-building in Indigenous psychologies. (Capability 1, 4, 7 and 8)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1: Reading Review & Participation | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Short Essays | 30% | Individual Coursework |
| Long Essay | 50% | Individual Coursework |
| 3 types | 100% |
Teaching & Learning Methods
This course is delivered fully online and is designed to support self-directed learning alongside opportunities for reflection, connection, and guidance. Learners engage with content at their own pace through carefully curated readings, multimedia resources, and interactive online activities that prompt critical thinking and personal reflection.
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week involved in each 30 point course that they are enrolled in.
This course is designed to be flexible and self-paced, while still requiring regular engagement. Learners should expect to spend approximately 15-20 hours per week on course activities. Although much of the learning is self-directed, consistent weekly progress is essential. Learners are encouraged to plan their time carefully, stay up to date with readings, and participate in optional hui (online meetings) to enrich their understanding and stay connected with the learning community.
Some weeks may be lighter, while others—especially those with assessments—may require additional focus. Regular reflection and engagement will help build a deeper understanding of the course content and ensure steady progress toward completion.
Delivery Mode
Online
Attendance at scheduled online hui (group discussions) is encouraged but not required. These sessions offer valuable opportunities to engage with the course director and peers, deepen understanding, and discuss key concepts and assignments.
No on-campus attendance is required, and all assessments will be submitted online.
Where possible, study material will be available at the start of the course, allowing learners to work at their own pace.
This course follows the University’s semester timetable, and all relevant completion dates and deadlines will apply.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
As this is the first time this course will be offered online, student feedback and suggestions for improvement will be most welcome.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.