AUST3333 Australian Studies: Issues for Australians

2019

4.5

1 x 2-hour lecture weekly

1 AUST1001 - Australian Studies: Identities
1a AUST1001A - Australian Studies: Identities
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a))

AUST3998 has been successfully completed

This topic, which is the capstone topic in the Australian Studies major, considers issues of importance in contemporary Australian life. The precise content is determined annually by current events as well as by the input of students. It is the aim of the topic to evaluate issues in the context of the major public debates that surround them and to analyse these debates using a range of theoretical approaches. To this extent an 'issues-based' approach is taken. Questions relating to how issues are framed and the social institutions within which such framing occurs form the background for critical examination. Issues to be examined may relate to broad areas including: human and animal rights; industrial issues for Australian workers and carers; anti-terrorist laws and security issues relating to Australia; family violence and sexual violence; the globalisation of the media; justice and the prison system; the global financial crisis and how it affects Australians; sexuality; immigration; and others to be determined by the student body. There are a number of guest speakers representing a range of political views, with whom students are given the opportunity to interact and debate.

This topic aims to:

• provide students with a deep understanding of some of the issues of importance in contemporary Australian life

• equip students with an understanding of ways of evaluating issues in the context of the major public debates that surround them and to analyse these debates using a range of theoretical approaches

• provide students with an understanding of how issues are framed and the social institutions within which such framing occurs, in the Australian context

• examine issues relating to broad areas may including: human and animal rights; industrial issues for Australian workers and carers; anti-terrorist laws and security issues relating to Australia; family violence and sexual violence; the globalisation of the media; justice and the prison system; sexuality; and immigration; and others to be determined by the student body

• equip students with the skills and ability to articulate these issues clearly, both verbally and in writing

Students will be able to demonstrate clearly that they have:

• developed a deep understanding of some of the issues of importance in contemporary Australian life

• the capacity to evaluate issues in the context of the major public debates that surround them and are able to analyse these debates using a range of theoretical approaches

• developed a good understanding of a range of issues facing Australians relating to broad areas including: human and animal rights; industrial issues for Australian workers and carers; anti-terrorist laws and security issues relating to Australia; family violence and sexual violence; the globalisation of the media; justice and the prison system; sexuality; and immigration; and others as determined by the student body

• developed the requisite skills and ability to articulate these issues clearly, both verbally and in writing