The University of New South Wales

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The Fatal Shore: Aborigines, Immigrants and Convict Society - HIST1003
Students on quad lawn

 
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
 
 
School:  School of History and Philosophy
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

Sex and violence pervaded early colonial society. Looks at the way violence was used to dispossess Aboriginal people from their land and to establish and maintain convict society. Examines the complex relationships arising from sexuality: sex as a form of currency, domination, negotiation and identity for both Aboriginal people and Europeans. What is the legacy of these brutal beginnings for modern Australia? Are we still marked by the convict stain? And how did the criminal system develop in Australia? Did early colonial Australia recreate the class, gender and ethnic inequalities of 18th and 19th century Britain? Also includes an excursion to a historic site in the Sydney region.


Learning Outcomes

Students who actively participate in and successfully complete this course will:
  • Gain an appreciation of the nature of Aboriginal societies prior to European colonisation
  • Grasp the major features of colonial society as it developed in the period from 1788 to 1850
  • Be able to identify and critically evaluate the major interpretations of this society presented by historians
  • Have insight into the impact of European settlement on the Indigenous population of Australia and be able to explain why this impact is an ongoing issue for Australians
  • Acquire and develop skills in primary and secondary research, analysis and writing.

Assessment

  • Document analysis - 20%
  • Tutorial essay (2000 words) - 40%
  • Tutorial participation - 20%
  • In-class test - 20%

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.