This unit applies a sociological lens to the terrain of racial, religious and ethnic relations in Australia. It introduces theories of race, ethnicity, indigeneity and whiteness and applies these to historical and contemporary race and religious relations and the empirical research on Australian Indigenous, settler, migrant and refugee peoples. Specifically, the unit examines the history of Australia's relationship as a settler society with its Indigenous peoples, with a particular emphasis on citizenship rights and realities. The unit also critically examines the Australian post-war immigration programme, and the experiences of different migrant, religous and refugee groups in overcoming discrimination and adapting to Australian society. It addresses the processes of ethnic and religious identity construction, cultural diversity, multiculturalism and transnational communities in the context of globalisation. These are central social issues for Australians in their everyday lives and in political and social policy.

By applying sociological theory and utilising empirical research to examine these contemporary social issues, students further develop the sociological imagination. Students will additionally critically evaluate sociological theories and research evidence to develop a theoretical position. This unit builds on introductory lectures on these topics at level 1, and employs theories introduced in HGA202, the core theory unit. This unit focuses on the inter-related themes of inequality and difference. This makes it a central unit in the Inequality and Difference stream, and a unit that is taught in a sociology major at most universities. The unit is also appropriate for students interested in social research, social policy, criminology and social work.