Handbook

This subject revolves around an examination of Australian national identity, and thus on fundamental issues of belonging and inclusion. Taking a historical and cultural perspective, it asks what being Australian has meant to different people at different times. The subject explores the historical origins and foundations of national identity, how it has been contested and changed over time, and how historical, social, and cultural forces shape contemporary understandings and experiences of 'being Australian'. We consider social groups and individuals who have shaped dominant notions of national identity, as well as those who have challenged them. What does being Australian mean, for example, to Indigenous people, to women, to immigrants? And how have those meanings changed over time? We will particularly examine expressions of Australian national identity through some of its key practices and rituals - such as Australia Day, Anzac Day, sport, and the beach