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This course is designed to introduce students to the historical study of Australia. It is useful foundation for those intending to become secondary school teachers of History and SOSE but also for those intending to major in history. It stimulates students’ awareness of the problem of bias in sources and introduces them to ways historians have responded to this dilemma. It is also useful as an introduction to the themes of Australian history for those studying Australian Studies or international students wanting an introduction to the historical foundations of contemporary Australia.

This course offers students a narrative history from colonial Australia to Federation and from Invasion to White Australia. It introduces students to Australia's central social, economic and political themes: Indigenous dispossession and resistance, and the settler revolution, as well as movements towards democracy, universal education and better living standards. The course begins with an overview of the long history of Australia, moving toward a consideration of the perspectives on nationalism.. It is intended to enhance students' content knowledge of Australia as well as to develop skills in research methods, historical interpretation and written presentation.

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

1. demonstrate a knowledge of themes in Australian history up to 1942;
2. demonstrate academic and professional literacy skills by analysing and evaluating primary sources;
3. demonstrate an understanding of the interpretive nature of the Australian past;
4. demonstrate written and oral communication skills by preparing and presenting information clearly and accurately and in conformity with the practices of the discipline;
5. demonstrate ethical research and enquiry skills by finding and applying appropriate sources of evidence, and by adhering to norms of academic integrity.