Australian Studies

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Bachelor of Arts

Australian Studies is exciting and relevant and gives students a comprehensive understanding of major debates in Australian society and history. The major is available at Melbourne (Burwood), Geelong (Waurn Ponds), Warrnambool and in off-campus mode.

The Australian Studies First Year units are not only the entry points for the Australian Studies major sequence but are also accepted as entry points to the History major. These units cover some of the most contentious issues facing our society such as the changing nature of Australian identities, our relationship with powerful friends, particularly with Great Britain and the United States, and the conditions for independent nationhood. Students also examine indigenous Australia and the future of race relations, land rights and the reconciliation movement. No less topical are the issues surrounding immigration, population, refugees and asylum seekers.

A wide range of electives from other areas relevant to Australia is offered in the Second Year. Students wanting to come to grips with globalisation and environmental issues have an opportunity to do so in depth at Third Year level. There is also an Australian Studies internship unit offered in the third year, which allows students to incorporate the practical application of skills developed in Australian Studies in appropriate workplaces.

The Australian Studies program is particularly helpful to students in education, social work, journalism, police studies, the diplomatic service and local government. Australian Studies is multi-disciplinary and contemporary. Because of its focus on understanding Australia today, it is an attractive field of study for both Australian and international students. A unit focussed on 'Australia Today' is offered for international students exclusively.

Staff members in the discipline are active in research, and supervise higher degree by research students.

Staff are active in research fields such as:

• Australian cities, suburbs, neighbourhoods and domestic spaces
• New perspectives on Australian planning history
• Cultural capital and the value of the arts internationally
• Gendering of regional shopping centres.
• Economic and social restructuring of Australian regions, especially Geelong.
• Women's work, both paid and non-paid.
• All aspects of Australian immigration and settlement policy and practice
• Oral history and video testimony
• Historical and contemporary populism
• Sport and popular culture
• Australian perceptions of Asia
• Australian publishing history
• Late 19th and 20th century Australian cultural, political, legal and economic history

Students who perform well in their undergraduate degree are encouraged to enrol in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours). This is a prerequisite for enrolment for Higher Degree by Research courses.

Staff members are:

Associate Professor Stephen Alomes

Associate Professor Louise Johnson

Associate Professor Michele Langfield

Dr Geoff Robinson

Professor David Walker

Course summary (A300)