Australian History and Politics

Abstract

This subject will develop students' broader understanding of contemporary Australian history and politics, including how history and politics affect the lived experiences of Indigenous Australians from British invasion to the present. From a political history disciplinary perspective, this subject will ask students to analyse and interpret the impact of social forces on Australian government processes and policies, influenced by factors that include migrants, women and international relations. Students will learn to investigate how history and politics are determined, by whom and for what reason. Students will develop skills to analyse and debate, interpret and communicate complex ideas and express these ideas to their student peers, and in academic writing.

Syllabus

Beginnings - Indigenous Australians' presence in Australia prior to 1788.Newcomers - The First Fleet: conquest and convicts. Colonial attitudes and British impact on Indigenous Australians, including the doctrine of Terra Nullius.Resistance - Frontier Wars and Indigenous Australian resistance.Further themes in 19th century history and politics - democracy, gold, and racism. … For more content click the Read More button below.

Beginnings - Indigenous Australians' presence in Australia prior to 1788.
Newcomers - The First Fleet: conquest and convicts. Colonial attitudes and British impact on Indigenous Australians, including the doctrine of Terra Nullius.
Resistance - Frontier Wars and Indigenous Australian resistance.
Further themes in 19th century history and politics - democracy, gold, and racism. Colonial governments and the 'Aborigines' Protection Acts'.
Federation and federalism - Nationhood, 'White Australia' and workers' rights. The 1901 Commonwealth Constitution denying Indigenous Australians a voice, equality and Federal parliamentary representation.
War and the politics of nation-building - war, peace, war. Topic includes Indigenous Australians representing their country overseas in two World Wars whilst enduring inequality at home.
Australia's golden age 1946-1975 - immigration, feminism, and the 1965 'Freedom Ride', and the 1967 constitutional referendum.
Reinventing Australia: 1975-2008 - popular politics, a new Asia, and 'the Apology' to the Stolen Generations.
Virtual times - 2009 to the present - prime ministers, globalisation, and Indigenous Australian reconciliation.

Assessment items

1. Discussion BLOGs

2. Essay Plan and Annotated Bibliography

3. Major Essay

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to analyse the key political and historical themes and influences in Australia in relation to the impact of past policy and practice on Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians from pre-invasion to today;

be able to analyse how power and privilege operates in relation to the self and to the experiences of Indigenous Australians, migrants and women;

be able to articulate how Australian governments and democracy operate, including links to policy and influence, past and present; and

be able to apply knowledge and skills to communicate complex ideas in relation to history and politics using research, critical thinking and be able to demonstrate these in academic writing.

Enrolment restrictions

Not available to students who have completed subject POL112 Understanding Australia: History, Politics and Society

Incompatible