Australian History
Duration
- One Semester or Term
Contact hours
- 36 hours
Prerequisites
50 CP
Corequisites
NilAims and objectives
This unit of study seeks to provide students with an understanding of the evolution of Australian history since 1788. With particular emphasis on the twentieth century students are introduced to the major political, economic and social events that have shaped Australian society. Students will gain an enhanced understanding of contemporary Australia and its place in the world.
After successfully completing this unit, students will be able to:
1. Explain the origins of Australia’s political democracy;
2. Locate, interrogate, and integrate primary and secondary source documents in the development of an argument;
3. Analyse and interpret key historiographical debates in Australia’s history;
4. Critically engage with discussions of change and continuity in Australian history;
5. Reflect on historical trends in Australian development that have shaped contemporary society.
1. Explain the origins of Australia’s political democracy;
2. Locate, interrogate, and integrate primary and secondary source documents in the development of an argument;
3. Analyse and interpret key historiographical debates in Australia’s history;
4. Critically engage with discussions of change and continuity in Australian history;
5. Reflect on historical trends in Australian development that have shaped contemporary society.
Courses with unit
This unit is no longer offered
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
Lectures (12 hours), Tutorials (24 hours)
Assessment
~
| Journal | Individual | 20% |
| Leading discussion | Individual | 10% |
| Essay | Individual | 40% |
| Class test | Individual | 30% |
General skills outcomes
After completing this unit of study students are expected to understand:
- The historical development of Australia’s political, social and economic framework
- How people’s lives are shaped by the economic, social and political environment
- How political scientists have explained these processes
Students should also have developed their skills in
- Undertaking library research
- Critically evaluating conflicting viewpoints
- Presenting their findings and ideas in a professional manner
Content
· 1788 and all that
· A Convict Nation
· Resistance and Dispossession
· Origins of Democracy
· A nation divided – World War One
· The Great Depression
· The “Just War”
· Menzies and the Cold War
· The politics of new social movements
· A “shining aberration”
Study resources
- Reading materials.
Reading materials
Refer to your Unit Outline for textbooks and reading materials.