This course examines the history of rural Australia, from the 'squatting age' of the 1830s and '40s to the era of 'globalisation'. A number of major themes will be pursued, including patterns of settlement, issues of race and class in the outback, gender roles in rural communities, and the relationship between city and country. Among specific topics for study we shall explore the following: pastoral dominance, 'unlocking the lands', sources of rural labour, the rise and fall of country towns, rural politics, race relations in the bush, work practices and technology, farming and the environment, rural social institutions, and the economics of survival in commodity production. We shall also discuss government policy and rural development, the role of the bush in the national psyche, urban perceptions of life on the land, and the view from the country in the late twentieth century.

A research essay of 3,000 words (50%), tutorial participation (10%) and either a synoptic essay of 2,000 words or a final examination (40%).

24 hours of lectures, 11 hours of tutorials. Lectures will be taped.

First-year courses in History to the value of twelve units, or with permission of the Convener.

Bromby, R, Unlocking the Land: the saga of farming in Australia, Lothian, Melbourne, 1989.

This course can be counted towards a History or Australian Studies major.