Australia Now

Subject AUST20007 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

On campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: 8.5 hours per week: Total time commitment 102 hours
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: 673-333 or 102-111 Australia Now
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Jessica Carniel, Dr Michael Cathcart

Contact

Dr Michael Cathcart cathcart@unimelb.edu.au Dr Graham Willett gwillett@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

This subject introduces students to the key issues facing contemporary Australia. It is ideal for international students, for students whose main area of study lies outside the humanities, and for those who wish to gain a broad understanding of the complex challenges facing Australia today. We examine the historical and political foundations of the country and explore current issues and debates around Australian identity and how it is changing. Race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, the environment, sport and art and film cultures, Indigenous issues, the fair go and globalisation ... if it is happening in Australia it is happening in Australia Now.
Objectives:

Objectives
Understanding of the social, political and environmental forces shaping Australian society
Understanding of the key issues in Australian public life today
Ability to synthesise a variety of issues and methodologies into a broader understanding of Australia’s past and present
Assessment: Semester 1: Weekly online lecture quiz, 10%, a 1500 word essay (due mid-semester) 30%, a research essay, 2500 words (due end of semester) 60%.

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.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:

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

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.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • As a result of attendance at scheduled classes, participation in planned activities and discussion groups, and timely completion of essays and assignments, Arts graduates should acquire skills in the following areas:
  • research: through competent use of the library and other information sources, and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research.
  • critical thinking and analysis: through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument.
  • thinking in theoretical terms: through lectures, tutorial discussion, essay writing and engagement in the methodologies of the humanities and social sciences.
  • understanding of social, ethical and cultural context: through the contextualisation of judgments, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.
  • communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically: through essay writing and tutorial discussion.
Notes: Formerly available as 102-111 Australian Now. Students who have completed 102-111 are not permitted to enrol in this subject.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Australian Studies
Australian Studies
Australian Studies
Australian Studies Major
History Major
Related Breadth Track(s): Australia: Indigenous and Settler Contexts

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