131-073 Human Rights in Australian History

Formerly available as 131-294/394. Students who have completed 131-294 or 131-394 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually 25 points of first year history or first year Australian studies, see Prerequisites.

This subject approaches the histories of rights in Australia in relation to the evolution of categories of exclusion and inclusion. It is a study of the changing forms of Australian citizenship and evolving categories of privilege and rights from the colonial occupation to present times. Particular attention will be paid to the creation of the nation state, its modes of government, and arguments over the boundaries and meaning of subjects and citizens for indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. The subject will examine the processes by which human rights and social justice have been historically denied Australians on the basis, for example, of gender, ability, race, poverty, and migrant or refugee status, from the invasion of 1788 to the incarceration of refugees in the early 21st century. You will be encouraged and required to think and write critically on themes that revolve around the nature of universal rights and the historical mechanisms by which they have been suspended or rendered non-applicable to individuals and groups of peoples.

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

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

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

A 1500 word essay 35% (due mid-semester), a 2000 word essay 45% (due at the end of semester), presentation of a 500 word tutorial paper 10% (during the semester) and tutorial attendance and participation 10%.

A subject reader will be available.