Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Indigenous Development/He Kura Matanui

Summary

The Master of Arts (Coursework) programme is designed to give students the skills sought-after by employers around the globe, with a balance of specific subject knowledge plus broad-based transferable skills – such as oral and written communication, and analytical skills.

The degree is also an possible qualification for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

The MA(Coursework) normally requires either 12 months or three semesters of full-time, or equivalent part-time, study and entails completion of papers and a dissertation.

The dissertation is a major piece of supervised research of up to 20,000 words.

The primary aim of the MA(Coursework) is to provide candidates with a grounding in their chosen subject area within a wider disciplinary frame. The degree cultivates the skills needed to identify a significant topic, design and implement a significant piece of research, and present the findings in a form acceptable to an expert readership.

Why study Indigenous Development at Otago?

Whether you want to promote the interests of indigenous people locally or around the world doing a major in He Kura Matanui / Indigenous Development will help you achieve this.

In this programme of study you will learn the value of indigenous knowledge, how it can be preserved, transferred and adapted to suit the needs of modern indigenous communities.

These communities exist in a constantly changing environment. Being able to track the effect of these changes provides insights into how to formulate better, relevant and more inclusive policies and plans for the future development of these peoples.

Indigenous knowledge has its place in every aspect of society. No matter your interest He Kura Matanui / Indigenous Development complements many courses of study:

Environmental sustainability

Resource management

Agriculture

Policy development

Education

Language revitalisation

Primary health care and preventative medicine

Economic wellbeing and independence

Community development

He Kura Matanui / Indigenous Development encourages you to explore the connectivity between these disciplines to enable indigenous communities to determine their own future.

Graduates develop a multidisciplinary, culturally inflected understanding of contemporary indigenous concepts and issues, including the use of cooperation rather than competition, listening as well as communicating with others, 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 He Kura Matanui / Indigenous Development have a broad interdisciplinary knowledge base, which can lead to careers in the fields of:

Education

Social Work

Business

Law

Policy and governance

Health

Community organisations