Representations of Indigenous Australian Religions in New South Wales (NSW) Higher School Certificate Studies of Religion Textbooks

Abstract

The author examines the presentation of Indigenous Australian religions in current textbooks used in Australian secondary schools in the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (matriculation) course, Studies of Religion. Cusack argues that the majority of textbooks for this course, and the subject syllabus they reflect, continue to manifest the dominance of the “world religions” paradigm and the normative status of Christianity in defining religion. Aboriginal religion is generally treated cautiously and with respect, reflecting the aura of “political correctness” surrounding discourses about Indigenous Australians in the twenty-first century.