• Offered by School of History
  • ANU College ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
  • Course subject History
  • Areas of interest History

How have the sex lives of Australians changed since the arrival of the first European settlers in the eighteenth century? And what can a study of the history of sexuality tell us about the dynamics of Australian history? This course will explore key themes in the history of sexuality in Australia since 1788, with an emphasis on ideas, attitudes, practices and identities. The evolving relationship between Australian and international developments will be a central theme.  Topics to be studied will include convicts and sexuality; sexual relations on the frontier; prostitution; sexual violence; the women's movement; sex reform and sexology; the regulation of sexuality by the state; homosexuality; and the transformation of sexual cultures, ideas and practices. The course will also examine how an understanding of sexual diversity in the past can illuminate current debates in Australian society.  

Learning Outcomes

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

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

1. understand the major developments in sexuality across over two centuries of Australian history. 

2. apply key concepts in modern historical studies, such as gender, class and ethnicity. 

3. evaluate the changing relationship between the state and the bodies of its subjects/citizens in Australia since 1788.

4. practise the methodologies of social and cultural history, and particularly the close reading and interpretation of texts.

5. connect the history of sexuality in Australia to international developments.

Indicative Assessment

1. Documentary Exercise (Primary Source analysis) on the early Colonial Period (Based on Topics 2 or 3) 1500 words: 20% [assesses Learning Outcomes 2, 4 and 5]

2. Research Essay: 2000 words: 45% [assesses Learning Outcomes 2, 3, 4 and 5]

3. Examination (3 hours): 35% [assess Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5]

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Workload

120 hours over the semester, including one weekly lecture of 2 hours (during 13 weeks) and one weekly tutorial of one hour (over 12 weeks)

Requisite and Incompatibility

To enrol in this course you must have completed 36 units of ANU courses towards a degree, or with the permission of the convenor.

Prescribed Texts

Frank Bongiorno, The Sex Lives of Australians: A History (Black Inc., Melbourne, 2012) + Reading Brick

Majors

Minors

Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.  

If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.

Student Contribution Band:
1
Unit value:
6 units

If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.  Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

Units EFTSL
6.00 0.12500
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee Description
1994-2003 $1164
2014 $2478
2013 $2472
2012 $2472
2011 $2424
2010 $2358
2009 $2286
2008 $2286
2007 $2286
2006 $2286
2005 $2286
2004 $1926
International fee paying students
Year Fee
1994-2003 $2574
2014 $3246
2013 $3240
2012 $3240
2011 $3240
2010 $3240
2009 $3240
2008 $3240
2007 $3132
2006 $3132
2005 $3132
2004 $2916
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

Second Semester

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
9333 18 Jul 2016 29 Jul 2016 31 Aug 2016 28 Oct 2016 In Person N/A

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