Intensive study of a particular theme, period, or topic in bigotry and intolerance through a combination of lectures, workshops, field trips and recommended readings. 

This course will be offered every two years. It will be taught intensively over four to five days, during the winter session. Students will be required to attend lectures and workshops during this time but will be able to fulfil the assessment component of the course off campus.

This course will be taught from an interdisciplinary perspective, drawing from expertise across the ANU. The disciplinary focus will vary according to the theme of each summer school but students can expect presentations from the arts, humanities, social sciences and law.

Each topic will fulfill the following aims:

• Identify a current theme of bigotry which is impacting upon Australian social and political life
• Identify its multiple manifestations
• Provide an international comparative perspective
• Identify its historical and philosophical underpinnings
• Discuss possible solutions/reforms

Key course topics:

• Understanding Indigeneity (2013)

• Refugee and Asylum Seekers - Whose responsibility? (2011)

• Religion and Bigotry (2009)

• Understanding Islam (2006)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate ongoing engagement with issues of bigotry and intolerance in Australian society and elsewhere.
2. Synthesise key concepts from various disciplines that contribute to the study of bigotry and intolerance.
3. Demonstrate independent conceptual thinking relevant to themes of bigotry and intolerance.
4. To gain skills in written and verbal expression for a variety of relevant professional and academic purposes.
5. To develop skills in interdisciplinary thinking and the ability to apply theoretical ideas to case studies developed from personal observation and research.
6. To gain skills required for humanities research. This includes data-collection, analysis, and verbal and written presentation at the standard of a postgraduate degree.

The assessment will vary according to the theme of the course. A typical assessment model may be as follows:

• Journal (1500 words) 30% [Learning Outcomes 1 - 6]
• Research essay (4000 words) 70% [Learning Outcomes 1 - 6]

This course will be taught through a blended approach of on-campus classes (scheduled lectures and workshops over 4-5 days). Online discussion with convener and other students will continue off campus. Total class time is between 35- 40 hours. On line discussion will be approximately 5 hours. Time spent on asessment will be approximateley 60-80 hours.

Courses offered from the Liberal Arts program.

Will be advised at the same time as the detailed syllabus.