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Introduction

What are the “stories” that Australian culture tells about itself: its people, history, and future? How is Australia understood on the international stage: what images and narratives dominate? HUM208 explores the forces shaping contemporary Australian society and culture. And it examines the social and cultural issues that have been associated with the ways that images or interpretations of Australia are defined and debated. You will be introduced to research and debates in the fields of history, media/cultural studies, literature, politics, Indigenous studies and gender studies. And you will study a range of cultural texts, including film, television, print media, and advertisements.

Summary 2020

Unit name Australia in the 21st Century
Unit code HUM208
Credit points 12.5
Faculty/School College of Arts, Law and Education
School of Humanities
Discipline English
Available as student elective? Yes
Breadth Unit? No

Availability

Note

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About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  1. The ability to recognise and analyse representations of national identity and character in Australia.
  2. The ability to evaluate the arguments of academics, commentators and policy-makers and to reflect critically on their justifications for their position.
  3. A comprehensive and well-founded knowledge of some of the important social and political issues in contemporary Australia.
  4. The ability to collect, analyse and organise information and ideas about Australian society and culture, and to convey those ideas clearly and fluently, in both written and spoken forms. o the ability to interact effectively with others in order to work towards comprehensive and thoughtful interpretations of important issues in contemporary Australia.
  5. Independence and creativity o the ability to read, research and write independently, particularly by engaging creatively with contemporary media and with academic writing.
  6. Ethical and social understanding o an understanding of social and civic values, considered particularly through the issues raised in Australian studies. o b. a knowledge of other cultures and times and an appreciation of cultural diversity.

Fees

Teaching

Assessment

Blog (30%)

Research Essay (40%)

Essay (30%)

TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

RequiredNone

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