Ireland Down Under

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

The Irish were a founding people in Australia from 1788. Indeed, in terms of their proportion of the population, the Irish were more significant in Australia during the 19th century than in any other country to which Irish immigrants went, including the USA. This subject will investigate why the Irish, both Catholics and Protestants, migrated to Australia. where they went on arrival. how they lived. how they were viewed by the non-Irish population. and the influence that they had on the political, social, religious, economic and cultural life of Australia. The subject invites students to consider stereotypes of the Irish as & Acirc "bad and mad & Acirc", but it also assesses the Irish contribution to the law, education, medicine and literature. Students will engage with issues of class, race and gender. The subject as well utilises local sources and allows students to explore Irish influences in their own families or localities. The subject aims to assist students to assess the distinctive contribution made by the Irish to the development of Australian identities and values.

• appreciate the contribution made by Irish immigrants and their descendants to the development of Australian life, identity and culture.
• understand key concepts in migration studies and debates surrounding Irish migration.
• acquire the skills to undertake research in local and family history.

A document essay of 1500 words 40% (due mid semester), a research essay of 2500 words 50% (due at the end of the semester) and tutorial participation 10%.

Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day; after five days, no late assessment will be accepted. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources.
• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument.
• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.