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]
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Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorials; and b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.Requisite and Incompatibility
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. Tuition fees are indexed annually. 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 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $2856 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $4080 |
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.
