This course investigates European settlement in Australia, with particular emphasis on convicts and settlers, from the decade of Cook's discovery to the eve of Federation. Major themes include the Enlightenment’s role in shaping the Australian colonies, the characteristics and changing economy of a 'settler society', contacts between Europeans and Aborigines, issues of race and gender on the frontier, the nature of the convict system, land possession and dispossession, and class relations for both free and unfree labour. We shall also consider lawlessness and violence, the ‘Australian legend’, the Gold Rush, the development of white settler society and self-government, and Australia's global connections.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Discuss and analyse the major events and themes in Australian history 1770s to 1870s.
2. Evaluate complex primary and secondary sources and reflect on them as historical evidence.
3. Undertake extended research tasks and locate primary source material on 19th C Australian history.
4. Think, argue and write about the major changes in Australia’s first hundred years.
5. Evaluate and discuss historiographical arguments and debates in the field of 19th C Australian history.

A research essay of 3,000 words (60%, assesses LOs 2, 3 and 4) and a historiographical essay of 2-3,000 words (40%, assesses LOs 2, 4 and 5). The research essay requires a greater level of inclusion and analysis of primary source evidence than that required for HIST2128. The Historiographical Essay should explain and assess different historical interpretations of the topic. It should be based on at least 12 books and/or articles, and the reading list should be discussed in advance with the convenor.

26 hours of lectures, 13 hours of tutorials. Students should expect to undertake 7 hours per week of independent study. Lectures will be taped.