The Aboriginal Studies Program enables students with an interest in Aboriginal Studies to take a set of interrelated units in different disciplines without the normal prerequisite required in each unit. The major in Aboriginal Studies is an interdisciplinary program in which it is possible to combine anthropology, archaeology, art, English, history, linguistics, music and women's studies for a broadly based understanding of Aboriginal societies and cultures. The pass degree units within the School are not planned to provide specialised professional training, but to present students with an understanding of the past and the role of archaeology in its reconstruction, as well as a comparative view of the nature of human social organisation and culture. Honours units offer specialist technical training and examine the theoretical bases of each discipline. Students considering the possibility of entering careers as professional social or biological anthropologists or archaeologists should plan their courses with a view to taking the degree with honours.
Special honours work begins in third year.
As a School, comparable streams are offered in anthropology, archaeology and biological anthropology. A combined honours course may be arranged within the School. In some circumstances, the major may consist of 48 credit points at later-year level. The major in Aboriginal Studies involves 12 first-year credit points in any combination of ANTH, ARTH, HIST, LING, POLS, SOCY and 30 later year points from a designated list published in the ANU Undergraduate Handbook.