GSC2801

Colonialism

Isabel Ellender

8 points - 3 hours per week - First semester - Gippsland - Prerequisites: Passes in 75% of first-year subjects

Objectives On successful completion of this unit students should have developed an appreciation and understanding of the historical and contemporary issues which have intervened in and affected Aboriginal lifestyle and culture. Students will also be expected to understand the social and political restraints imposed on Aboriginal people and to recognise issues of racism and discrimination.

Synopsis The colonial period in Australia is examined through the three themes of frontier conflict, the manifestation of racism and the loss of the land by Aboriginal people. An investigation of the reasons why Britain chose Australia leads to an examination of what is meant by the 'frontier' in Australian terms. Introduced diseases and massacres were largely responsible for the decimation of Aboriginal tribes in the first seventy years of occupation, and these in turn led to government intervention in later phases. The colonisation of each state by white society will be studied in detail. Students will be encouraged to develop research skills during the first part of the subject by utilising the resources available in the Centre for Gippsland Studies. Where relevant, guest lecturers will also be used.

Assessment Presentation/report (1500 words): 30% - Essay (2500 words): 30% - Examination (2 hours): 40%

Prescribed texts

Reynolds H The other side of the frontier Penguin, 1983
Reynolds H Frontier: Aborigines, settlers and the land Allen and Unwin, 1987
Roberts J Massacres to mining Dove, 1981

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