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Disciplines and areas of study

Australian studies

Program Coordinator: Dr Gwenda Tavan (Politics).

Australia is not the world, even if it is our world: it is in fact many worlds. Australia is a creation of the world system: it is truly global as well as local. From early contact with the Portuguese, Dutch, British, and French, many Indigenous Australians were curious about people from other cultures. Sometimes cultural exchanges occurred and trading networks were established. This was evident in Northern Australia where trading occurred between Indigenous Australians and the Macassar anglers. Since British colonisation in 1788, large numbers of immigrants have settled in Australia from around the globe. Originally, the majority of settlers came from Britain. More recently, Australia has accepted greater numbers of migrants from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. This settlement has earned Australia its reputation as a migrant nation. Through migration and international relationships with countries such as the United States of America, contemporary Australian society is reflective of a rich diversity of cultures. Australian studies give students the opportunity to explore issues concerned with the development and maintenance of the Australian nation. It encourages students to contextualise the Australian experience within the larger framework of a global society.

Australian studies is an innovative and challenging interdisciplinary program, which offers students an understanding of the world in which they live. The program allows students to combine in-depth studies of Australian issues with comparative analyses of other countries and cultures. The knowledge and communication skills gained in this program enable students to access a variety of career pathways such as business, government, education, international civil service, media, museums and galleries, nongovernmental organisations and the arts.

Australian studies is recognised as one of the university’s areas of strength in research and teaching. The program encourages students to critically analyse and investigate issues associated with Australian society and culture. Australian studies units are taught by many world renowned academics from the disciplines of archaeology, anthropology, art history, cinema studies, English, history, linguistics, media studies, politics, sociology, and theatre and drama. The interdisciplinary nature of the program allows students to apply different methodological and theoretical approaches to issues such as popular culture, race, class, gender, politics, heritage, environment, and visual and literary arts.

Australian studies in the Bachelor of Arts

A major in Australian studies may be taken through approved combinations of units from the list below

Programs of study

Students may qualify for a degree with a major in Australian studies by completing at least 130 credit points from the list below, including at least 40 credit points at second year and 60 credit points at third year level. Such a major is made up of approved combinations of units from the disciplines of anthropology, archaeology, art history, cinema studies, English, history, legal studies, linguistics, media studies, politics, religious studies, sociology and theatre and drama. Students intending to major in Australian studies must complete the core unit AUS2DAU/AUS3DAU: Discover Australia: current issues and debates. Students who commenced their Australian studies major prior to 2000 will be deemed to have completed the equivalent of this unit.

First year units in archaeology, art history, cinema studies, English, history, linguistics, politics, and sociology are acceptable. In choosing first year units, students should note the prerequisites for units which they plan to take at second and third year levels. The following are recommended for students who wish to specialise in Australian studies.

Before enrolling, intending students should discuss their plans with the adviser of studies in the area.

Important notice: Not all of the units listed below will be available every year. See the unit lists for the specific disciplines, where units unavailable in 2008 will be noted.

Honours

Students who have qualified for a degree by taking a major in Australian studies with at least a B average may be considered for a place in the honours year. They are normally required to have 130 credit points in Australian studies, including the core Australia studies unit. Prospective applicants should contact the coordinator of the area as early as possible in their degree in order to plan their combination of units. In the fourth year, students take additional studies and write a research essay of 12000 to 15000 words on an approved topic.

A full description of these units (including the unit name, unit code, credit points, campus/location, unit coordinator, class requirements, assessment, prerequisites, and readings) appears at the end of each discipline entry. A full description of AUS unit appears below. For the most recent descriptions of all units, please access the unit database at www.latrobe.edu.au/udb_public.