Undergraduate - UnitATS1259 - Australian idol: exploring contemporary Australia

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2013 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

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Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Organisational Unit	National Centre For Australian Studies
Monash Passport category	Research Challenge (Investigate Program)
Offered	Caulfield First semester 2013 (Day) Clayton First semester 2013 (Day) Clayton Second semester 2013 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Tom Heenan

Notes

Previously coded AUS1060

Synopsis

What symbols and landmarks identify and embody Australia? How have Uluru and the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Barrier Reef, Anzac and vegemite evolved as cultural icons and what do they tell us about Australian history and identity? This unit explores contemporary Australia through its films, literature, sport, myths, heroes and history. Organised around the themes of Land, Nation and People, it focuses on the making of national/gender/racial identity, white Australians reckoning with Indigenous culture and our changing relationship with the world and the region. It includes an excursion to the iconic landscape of the Rocks in central Sydney and/or a tour of the 'Aussie Outback'.

Outcomes

To develop students' understanding of the historical and cultural processes impacting upon various aspects of contemporary Australia
To employ fieldwork, film and media analysis, and a range of relevant sources within the field of Australian Studies in gaining insight into past and current events that have shaped contemporary Australia
To think, discuss and write critically about the issues that effect Australian politics, culture and society
To develop students' independent research and presentation skills on related subjects.

Assessment

Minor Essay (1000 words): 15%
Major Essay
Oral Presentation (2000 words
10 minutes): 35%
10%
Tutorial attendance and contribution: 10%,
Examination (2 hours): 30%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Tom Heenan

Contact hours

Three hours per week (two hour lecture and one tutorial)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Australian studies