ATS2269: Contemporary Australia and its cultures: peoples, places, identities

Overview

Contemporary Australia and its Cultures: Peoples, Places, Identities introduces students to Australian society, politics and its diverse cultures. You will explore the historical forces that have shaped modern Australia. Drawing on experts from within their fields, you will examine Australian Indigenous cultures, the rise of identity politics and how the country's ongoing anxieties towards Asia have impacted on national identity.They will examine multicultural and refugee policies, and ask if they reflect Australia's reputation as a welcoming and tolerant nation. The impact of climate change on the country's diverse regions and cultures will be discussed; and how traditional national mythologies have shaped a predominantly white, masculine and developmentalist ethos. You will explore women's places within this ethos and the wider culture, and their struggles for gender equality; as well as sport's importance as an expression of Australian nationalism, and how it reflects regional and ethnic diversities, while reinforcing gender discrimination. From the unit, you will develop not only an understanding of the forces that have shaped contemporary Australian society and its cultures, but also the competencies required to negotiate the country's cultural diversities and complexities.

Assessment

1 - Reflection - 30% 2 - Multimedia - 30% 3 - Essay - 40%

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement. + Additional requirements + Field trip

Global challenges

Our Strategic Plan, Impact 2030, charts the path for how Monash will actively respond to climate change, preserving geopolitical security and fostering thriving communities over the next decade. Read more

This unit covers content related to the following Global Challenges:

Thriving Communities

Sustainable development goals

Adopted by the UN Member States in 2015, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. Read more

This unit covers content related to the following SDGs:

5. Gender Equality 10. Reduced Inequalities