In the 1960s-1970s Australia fought the Vietnam War, enacted civil rights for Aborigines, ended the White Australia policy and curtailed discrimination, including against women and homosexuals. Australians overcame 'cultural cringe', took to Australian films, literature and music, reached out to Asia and embraced multiculturalism. They also took to the streets to protest against the Vietnam War, uranium mining and the nuclear threat, and Aboriginal oppression, while demanding legal abortions and gay rights. It was a time of ferment, and radical social and legal reform. Charismatic political leaders galvanised public attention and raised the level of debate. Censorship was challenged, rock music was everywhere, and sex seemed to be too. This course will take a wide view of Australian politics, involvement in and withdrawal from the Vietnam War, and social change. It will consider why these were such decades of change and what we can learn about processes of change and reform, using texts, photographs, music and films from the period. It will introduce students to a range of historiographical interpretation of this key period.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Identify the major political, legal and social changes in Australia in the 1960s and 70s, and reflect on causes and consequences.
- Analyse and discuss Australia's participation in and withdrawal from the Vietnam war.
- Formulate arguments about the connections between political change and social change, both orally and in writing.
- Analyse primary sources as historical evidence and use them to discuss secondary sources critically.
- Appraise and discuss varying historiographical interpretations of the 1960s-70s.
Indicative Assessment
- Research essay incorporating primary source analysis on topic of choice agreed with course convenor (3,000 words; 50%)- linked to LOs 1, 3 and 4. (50) [LO null]
- Historiographical essay on topic other than that of research essay, to be agreed with course convenor (3,000 words; 50%) - linked to LOs 1, 3 and 5. (50) [LO null]
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
130 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: combination of lectures, tutorials and workshops; and b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
None specified
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $3630 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $5580 |
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.
