106-046 Australia and the Colonial Imaginary

Usually 25 points of first year English, see Prerequisites.

This subject explores canonical Australian texts, foregrounding the ways in which they have imagined, collaborated with or attempted to critique the process of settler-colonialism. It will examine literary representations of a range of issues central to Australia's colonial history. These issues include the role of convicts in the formation of Australian identity; the representation of colonial violence and Aboriginal peoples; the role of women in the development of (and resistance to) radical nationalism; the Western infatuation with the 'primitive'; the question of national guilt and reconciliation; and the emergence of a post-colonial consciousness. The subject will also foreground post-colonial, feminist, psychoanalytic and Marxist theoretical approaches to the texts and expect students to gain some familiarity with these.

Two essays of 2000 words 50% each (one due mid-semester and one due at the end of semester). Students are required to attend a minimum of 9 tutorials in order to qualify to have their written work assessed.

A subject reader will be available.

• M Clarke, His Natural Life.
• B Baynton, Bush Studies.
• P Carey, Oscar and Lucinda.
• K Prichard, Coonardoo.
• P White, A Fringe of Leaves.
• D Malouf, Remembering Babylon.