100-003 Australia and America: Comparing New Worlds

Availability

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

none

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject examines, in a comparative context, historical and cultural developments in the United States and Australia with an emphasis on issues of national identity, nationalism and social memory. In tracing the similarities and differences in the experiences of these two nations, the following themes will be discussed: the relationship between indigenous and settler societies; responses to landscape and the environment; the culture of the 'frontier'; political ideologies and culture; the place of religion; local, regional and global identities; the diversity of Australian and American peoples; and artistic, cinematic and literary expressions of nationhood. The subject will also investigate the ways Australians and Americans have viewed each other's societies, and the ties between the two countries.

Assessment

Written work totalling 4000 words. A hurdle requirement for this subject is 50% attendance at tutorials.

Prescribed Texts

A subject reader is available from the Australian Centre