Dynamic Australia: immigrant and indigenous experiences

How did modern Australian society take shape? Within this larger framework, several more focused questions will guide us: What have been the experiences of immigrants, of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, and how have their relations evolved over time? To what degree has Australia been formed by successive waves of immigration? What has been the fate of the Aboriginal peoples? How have intergroup relations evolved since the start of colonialism in the late 18th century? What have been the elements of racial formation, and how have they changed over time? What does it mean to be Australian in the 21st century? How might the creative arts (e.g. music, literature, drama, painting, dance) help us understand Australian identities and intergroup dynamics? As a course project, students will informally interview someone whose life history has involved large-scale displacement, voluntary or otherwise. This is intended as a means of sharpening awareness of migration in history - as articulated at the level of individuals and communities. This course is primarily intended for students enrolled in or waitlisted for the BOSP Summer Seminar in Sydney (June-July 2019), and as such focuses on historical and social milieux. However, all participants will find it a wide-ranging introduction to Australian society and a case study in intergroup dynamics.