Handbook

Since Federation in 1901, Australia has participated in major conflicts – from South Africa, to Europe, the Pacific, Asia, and the Middle East - either as part of the British Empire, or post 1945, as a strategic ally of the United States. This subject examines the experience of war from both the perspective of the combatants, and the civilians at home, and uses a thematic approach to evaluate the short and long term impact of war on Australian people and society, during the twentieth century and beyond. Topics may include: 20th century frontier massacres, mobilisation and total war, Indigenous soldiers, conscription and voluntarism, war in captivity, ill-discipline and war crimes, anti-war movements, shell shock and post-traumatic stress disorders, and the process of returning from war. Students will have the opportunity to develop skills required by professional historians, including communicating historical research to a public audience, and the art of biographical writing.