This course examines the ways in which imperial and colonial history has been interpreted, represented, remembered, denied, forgotten, and debated in public contexts across the globe. Through examining a series of 'sites of memory', for instance museums, schools, monuments, protests, commemorations, popular media, literature and art, and inquiries and courtrooms, the course interrogates the uses of imperial and/or colonial pasts in respect to questions of national identity, post-colonialism, and historical reparation and justice. It also involves critically exploring anti-colonial histories, and the ways in which challenges to conventional historical practices is embedded within broader political movements. The course includes opportunities for students to develop their own research projects and public histories.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- demonstrate a knowledge of the public politics and practices of remembering and forgetting imperial and colonial history across a broad range of contexts;
- analyse key concepts in the study of imperial and colonial history and memory;
- critically analyse the representation of the past in a variety of different media;
- undertake a research project analysing the issues involved in a public controversy over imperial and/or colonial history and the efficacy of professional historical efforts to address the situation; and
- construct an evidence-based historical argument in a form suitable to its purpose and target audience.
Indicative Assessment
- Historiographical review, 2000 words (30%) Learning outcomes 1-5 (30) [LO null]
- Research proposal, 500 words (10%) Learning outcomes 1-5 (10) [LO null]
- Research essay or project presented in an agreed upon format, 4000 words (40%) Learning outcomes 1-5 (40) [LO null]
- Tutorial or online participation (10%) Learning outcomes 1, 5 (10) [LO null]
- Research project/essay presentation, 7 mins (10%) Learning outcomes 1, 5 (10) [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 of workshop and workshop-like activities or online activities; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
Readings will be provided to students via Wattle.
Preliminary Reading
Chris Healy, Forgetting Aborigines (UNSW Press, 2008)
Dipesh Chakrabarty, Provinicialising Europe: Postcolonial Thought and Historical Difference (Princeton, 2007)
Sarah Carter and Maria Nugent (eds), Mistress of Everything: Queen Victoria in Indigenous Worlds (Manchester University Press, 2016; pb 2018)
Penelope Edmonds, Settler Colonialism and (Re)conciliation: Frontier violence, affective performances, and imaginative refoundings (Palgrave MacMillan, 2016)
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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4080 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6000 |
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.
