Understanding Australia: From the deep past to the present

In this unit, you will be introduced to key moments, themes, and controversies in Australian history. The story of Australia and its peoples is traced through a series of central themes: the experiences, knowledge, and perspectives of First Nations peoples; invasion and colonisation; Australia’s environment; Australia’s deep connections with Asia and the Pacific; migration; the development of distinctive political institutions; warfare, both overseas and within Australia; and the transformation and reinvention of Australian society and culture over time. You will investigate Australia’s past to contextualise and understand our contemporary society, including its divisions, debates, and anxieties.  

This unit provides you with a deeper understanding of Australia. For students interested in a career in education, this unit equips you with the knowledge and confidence to effectively teach Australian history content at Primary or Secondary level. For students pursuing a major or minor in History, this unit takes advantage of the rich primary material on our doorstep to provide you with hands-on experience with the methods and approaches of historians. This unit is also an ideal elective if you have no prior experience of History but are keen to learn more about Australia and its past.