Cultural literacy for Western Sydney

Because you are studying and perhaps also working and living in the Greater Western Sydney region, being culturally literate is essential for interacting effectively. Greater Western Sydney is one of the most culturally diverse regions in Australia (The Centre for Western Sydney, n.d.). Furthermore, over half of Sydney's Aboriginal population lives in the region (Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education, 2012). See Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultural literacy for more information.

Cultural literacy is important at Western Sydney University, not only because it is beneficial in a broad sense, but also because the cultural profile of students and staff is as diverse as that of the Western Sydney region (Western Sydney University, n.d.).

Important aspects of cultural literacy for Western Sydney University students include:

• An understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, experiences and achievements
• Developing a critical awareness of your own culture or cultures, perceiving cultural strengths and limitations, and being able to change where needed
• The ability to communicate and work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds without judgement and without an expectation that others should change to conform to your culture
• Understanding that culture goes beyond where you live or what you look like, and can include different social groupings such as age groups
• Understanding that cultures are continuously changing, and that most people will participate in multiple cultures throughout their life
• Knowing that members of a culture are not all the same, but diverse, so you have to get to know the individual you are interacting with, as well as have an understanding of their culture

Cultural literacy contributes to Western's policies and practices. The University's Equity and Diversity Team works in partnership with staff, students and the wider community to promote inclusive practices across the University. You can learn more on the Equity and Diversity webpages (opens in a new window).

Cultural literacy is a foundation of one of the University's Graduate Attributes. The Indigenous Graduate Attribute says that Western Sydney University graduates should have:

• an understanding and valuing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and peoples
• the ability to communicate and work effectively with Aboriginal Australian peoples and organisations
• the ability to communicate and work effectively with peoples from diverse cultures

What this means for you is that as you study for your degree, you will be learning about other cultural contexts, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. You will also be doing incidental cultural learning through your socialising at university, and working in groups of diverse cultures.

See the Indigenous Graduate Attribute (opens in a new window) for more information.