102-211 Migrant Nation: Culture and Identity

Students are not permitted to undertake within a 12 month period more than two undergraduate subjects offered by the Australian Centre.

This subject allows students to engage critically with Australian multiculturalism, identifying its complex nature through a variety of disciplinary perspectives. Topics include the history and politics of Australian immigration, multicultural policies, theories of multiculturalism, global perspectives on multiculturalism, migrant cultural forms, racial politics, case studies of migrant communities and ethnic/national identity. Students will engage with the work of historians, social and political theorists, policy makers, writers and artists to stimulate their analysis of multiculturalism. This course will appeal to anyone with a specific interest in immigration, ethnicity and national identity and those who seek to understand contemporary Australian society.

• be able to conduct research through competent use of the library and other information sources, and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research;

• demonstrate critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• demonstrate thinking in theoretical terms through lectures, tutorial discussion, essay writing and engagement in the methodologies of the humanities and social sciences;

• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgments, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument;

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• demonstrate written communication through essay preparation and writing;

• demonstrate public speaking ability though tutorial discussion and class presentations;

• demonstrate attention to detail though essay preparation and writing, and examination revision;

• demonstrate time management and planning through managing and organizing workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion and examination revision;

• demonstrate team work though joint projects and group projects.

A classpaper of 500 words 10%, a 1500 word analytical essay 35% (due mid-semester) and a 2500 word research essay 55% (due at the end of semester).

A subject reader and additional material will be provided.