Australia is one of the most heavily urbanised nations on earth. This is surprising given Australia's reputation overseas (and its image of itself) as a country of wide-open spaces, laconic bush-folk and an economy built on rural industries and mining. This course will examine the history of the growth and development of city and suburban living in Australia. Themes to be examined will include: poverty, crime and corruption; the revolutions in public health, transport and communications; suburbia and domestic architecture; planning, city architecture, and high culture; settlement patterns, immigration, urban decay and urban rebirth.

To teach a history of urban development in Australia.

To provide students with an understanding of the major controversies and historical debates surrounding urbanisation.

The following skills will be emphasized.

Critical Analysis:  To be able to read primary and secondary sources critically, perceive bias and possible omission and to filter information relevant to the proposed discussion or essay.

Argument Formation:  To be able to formulate an argument coherently and support it with primary and secondary evidence.

Group Work:  To be able to put forward an opinion in a group and also to be able to contribute to the formulation of a group opinion.

Writing Skills:  To write clearly and cogently on a given topic within a specified time and number of words. 

Research:  To gain a familiarity with the historiography of urbanisation and an appreciation of the primary sources available for research.

Tutorial participation (10%), 2,000 word essay (30%), optional 3,500 word essay or 2 hour closed book exam (50%) and a floating 10%.

2 x 1 hour lectures, 1 x 1 hour tutorial.  Preparation time and essay research and writing will take an average 1.25 days a week over the 13 week semester.

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

Davison, G. The Rise and Fall of Marvellous Melbourne, MUP, 1996.