Be an agent of change.
Indigenous Studies will broaden your understanding of the world as you explore humanity’s cultural diversity.
It will change your world view as you learn about indigenous cultures, histories and societies.
You will explore the dynamic living cultures of indigenous peoples and learn how indigenous knowledge systems can generate change that is sustainable, transformative and of benefit to everyone.
Why study Indigenous Studies at Otago?
Whether you want to learn about and promote the interests of indigenous people locally, or around the world, a major in Indigenous Studies will help you achieve this.
Through this programme you will learn the value of indigenous knowledge through the critical reading and research of selected indigenous societes and cultures in both historical and contemporary contexts. You will also examine how such knowledge may help support the varied interests and needs of contemporary indigenous people and communities as they engage with and manage the issues of living in the present world in order to sustain their peoples, cultures and communities into the future.
Indigenous knowledge has its place in every aspect of society. Wherever your interests lie, Indigenous Studies complements many fields of study and work, including:
- environmental sustainability
- resource management
- policy development
- education
- historical and cultural studies
- language revitalisation
- primary healthcare and preventative medicine
- economic wellbeing
- social and community development
- social research
Indigenous Studies encourages you to explore the connectivity between these disciplines and how their methodologies and intellectual genealogies can further enable indigenous communities to determine their own futures.
Graduates develop a multi-disciplinary, culturally inflected understanding of indigenous concepts and issues, including the use of co-operation rather than competition, and the importance of relationality and respecting differences.
Career opportunities
Our students are equipped with an understanding of indigenous cultural philosophies that are relevant in a myriad of employment situations.
Graduates with a degree in Indigenous Studies have a broad interdisciplinary knowledge base, which can lead to careers in the fields of:
- Education
- Social Work
- Business
- Law
- Policy and governance
- Waitangi Tribunal
- Foreign Affairs
- Health
- Community organisations
- Archeology
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
- Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
- Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
- Master of Indigenous Studies (MIndS)
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Indigenous Studies
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | MAOR 102 Māori Society MAOR 110 Introduction to Conversational Māori, or another language paper as approved by the Dean of the School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies PACI 101 Pacific Societies | 18 18 18 |
| 200-level | MAOR 202 Māori and Tikanga PACI 201 Contemporary Pacific Island Issues Two of ANTH 204, ANTH 205, ANTH 206, ANTH 208, GEOG 278, HIST 223, HIST 246, INDS 210, MAOR 203, MAOR 204, MAOR 207, MAOR 208, MAOR 210, MAOR 211, MAOR 212, MAOR 213, MFCO 212, PACI 202, PACI 210, POLS 202, POLS 207, PUBH 203, SPAN 243, SPEX 206 | 18 18 36 |
| 300-level | INDS 301 Māori and Indigenous Development: Governance and Ethics or INDS 302 Whakapapa and Marae Three of ANTH 324, ECON 303, ENGL 332, GEOG 378, HIST 327, HIST 347, INDS 307, INDS 310, MANT 340, MAOR 303, MAOR 304, MAOR 307, MAOR 308, MAOR 310, MAOR 311, MAOR 312, MAOR 313, MAOR 316, MART 305, MFCO 318, PACI 301, PACI 305,PACI 310, SPAN 343, SPEX 306, TOUR 301, TOUR 306 Note: 300-level papers selected should be consistent with interdisciplinary choices at 200-level. Approved papers may be drawn from those offered by other Divisions. | 18 54 |
| Plus | 162 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts (See Note below). | 162 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Indigenous Studies
| Papers |
|---|
Note: 400-level papers selected should be consistent with interdisciplinary choices at 300-level. Approved papers may be drawn from those offered by other Divisions. |
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Indigenous Studies
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Indigenous Studies is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
Note: 400-level papers selected should be consistent with interdisciplinary choices at 300-level. Approved papers may be drawn from those offered by other Divisions.
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Indigenous Studies
| Papers |
|---|
INGS 501 may be substituted for one 400-level paper Note: 400-level papers selected should be consistent with interdisciplinary choices at 300-level. Approved papers may be drawn from those offered by other Divisions. |
Master of Indigenous Studies (MIndS)
| Research Report option |
|---|
An approved paper at the 400-level or above (worth at least 20 points) may be substituted for one 400-level INDS, MAOR or PACI paper. |
| Thesis option |
|
Minor subject requirements
Indigenous Studies as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Papers | Points |
|---|---|
Five papers: MAOR 102 Māori Society Three of ANTH 204, ANTH 205, ANTH 206, ANTH 208, GEOG 278, HIST 206, HIST 223, HIST 246, INDS 210, INDS 301, INDS 302, INDS 307, INDS 310, MAOR 110, MAOR 203, MAOR 204, MAOR 207, MAOR 208, MAOR 210, MAOR 211 or MAOR 212, MAOR 213, MFCO 212, PACI 101, PACI 103, PACI 201, PACI 210, POLS 202, POLS 207, PUBH 203, SPAN 243, including at least one of INDS 301, INDS 302, INDS 307, INDS 310. |
18 |
Papers
| Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INDS210 | 2023 | Special Topic: Exploring Indigenous Studies | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| INDS301 | 2023 | Māori and Indigenous Development: Governance and Ethics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| INDS302 | 2023 | Whakapapa and Marae | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| INDS307 | 2023 | Ancient East Polynesian Histories | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| INDS310 | 2023 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| INDS401 | 2023 | Indigenous Identities | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| INDS402 | 2023 | Taonga and Identity | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| INDS410 | 2023 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| INDS590 | 2023 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period, 2nd Non standard period |
Key information for future students
Contact us
Dr Paerau Warbrick
Programme Co-ordinator
Te Tumu, School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies
Tel +64 3 479 3973
Email paerau.warbrick@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/tetumu
