Undergraduate - UnitATS1259 - Exploring contemporary Australia

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 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

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Organisational Unit	National Centre For Australian Studies
Monash Passport category	Research Challenge (Investigate Program)
Offered	Clayton First semester 2014 (Day) Clayton Second semester 2014 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Damien Williams

Notes

Previously coded AUS1060

Synopsis

How is Australia, in the words of Richard Flanagan, an 'ever stranger country'? How well do the country's iconic images match the reality of life in Australia today? This unit draws on historical, political, cultural and literary sources to introduce students to some of the major changes and continuities that have shaped contemporary Australia. It ranges widely over topics relating to land and climate, the experiences of childhood, crime and punishment, science and research, religion and the state, political economy, government and citizenship. It is designed to give a thorough overview of the major issues confronting Australians in the present. This unit includes assessment based on extended field trips outside Melbourne and within the city.

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.