Foundation Programs

Tertiary Preparation Programs (foundation or bridging programs) are designed to prepare Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students for Tertiary Study. Wilto Yerlo runs the:

• Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation Program
• Aboriginal Studies in Music Foundation Year

Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation Program

Aim
To prepare Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students for successful study in Humanities and Social Sciences at University level.

Entry Requirements
Applicants must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, 17 years and over.

What This Program Is About

• an alternative study path for students entering tertiary education for the first time.
  
• a flexible program of study
  
• arrangements with mainstream programs to support individual student directions
  
• maximum academic extension and support
  
• a commitment to honouring the value of indigenous cultural knowledge.

Length of Program
Full year of full-time study. Study may begin at the start of either Semester 1 or Semester 2.

Courses

Level 1:

• Indigenous Studies
  
• Humanities/Social Sciences
  
• Introduction to Tertiary Studies
  
• one optional mainstream course of each student's choice:
  Anthropology, Asian Studies, Classics, Commerce, Economics, English, Environmental Studies, European Studies,  Gender, Work and Social Inquiry, Geography, History, Languages, Linguistics, Media and Communication, Music Studies, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology.

Level 2:

• Writing Workshop
  
• Principles of Research

Each program is designed around individual student needs.

Flexibility
The Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation Program allows for:

• choice of program design to suit individual requirements
  
• mix and match with mainstream study
  
• entry at various levels
  
• maximum academic extension and support
  
• part-time mainstream study whilst remaining eligible for Austudy.

Teaching & Learning

• small class sizes allow individual assistance to be given to each student
• learning takes place in a supportive, community environment
• individual and small group work
• students supported with hands-on and follow-up assistance.

Assessment
There are exams in each course, at the end of each semester. In addition, students are assessed on written assignments, tutorials, class work, oral presentations, attendance and participation.

Student Handbook
The Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation Program Student Handbook  (pdf 1MB)outlines the requirement of the program as well as providing information on services and facilities available to students.

Further Study
Students who have successfully completed the Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation Program are able to enrol in the University of Adelaide degree programs in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Aboriginal Studies in Music - CASM Foundation Year

Aim
To provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians who wish to pursue tertiary studies in music, but who may not have completed Year 12, and/or who may not have studied music formally before, with the academic, theoretical and practical knowledge and skills required for admission to the Associate Diploma in Aboriginal Studies in Music

Entry Requirements
Applicants must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, 17 years and over.

Program Length
Length of program: One year full-time or equivalent part-time.

Courses

Flexibility
Students may study at CASM part-time or combine study at CASM with approved courses from other programs or institutions. Students may be granted Approved Leave from scheduled classes in order to participate in CASM extracurricular activities.

Extracurricular Activities
As well as offering formal programs, CASM is involved in an extensive range of CASM organised public performances, school workshops and other activities throughout the year.

There is a general expectation by CASM, that students will seek to augment their study experiences while at CASM by becoming involved in such activities. These may include performing with the CASM Choir and/or Dance Group, participating in school workshops and public performances. Where students' involvement in such activities may happen to coincide with a scheduled class, students will be granted exemption from attendance at the given class, and the course lecturer will assist the student to catch up any missed work.

Assessment
Procedures vary from course to course and take the form of a monitoring process comprising a selection of the following:

• completion of required practical and/or written work
  
• progress reports from course lecturer at the end of the semester
  
• class tests
  
• public performances/ performance workshops/ performance and/ or recording projects/ tours
  
• examinations
  
• monitoring of participation, progress and achievement throughout the year.

Further Study and Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of all components of the Foundation Year, students may apply to enrol in the Associate Diploma in Aboriginal Studies in Music.

CASM graduates and students - including award winning performers and composers - have pursued successful professional careers in:

• community service organisations
  
• teaching
  
• administration
  
• recording
  
• the music industry.