James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

HI2009 - War and Australian Society

Subject Description

This subject examines the role of war in the history of Australia. It begins at the time of early encounters between Australia's Indigenous inhabitants and Europeans and ends with the wars of the twenty-first century. The subject assesses the direct and indirect impacts of war. It includes examination of particular conflicts (including the Frontier Wars and other colonial wars, the World Wars, Cold War conflicts, and the 'War on Terror'), and places them in their historical and social contexts. The subject evaluates the relationship between war and society, the lingering impacts and consequences of war, and the memorialisation of war. That evaluation includes assessing the significance of military commemoration in Australian nationalism.

Learning Outcomes

• construct a historical overview of the Australian involvement with war
• evaluate the ways in which history is remembered and recorded in both written and monumental formats
• contextualise a wide range of primary and secondary sources relevant to Australian history
• assess the impact of war on Australian communities within specific historical, social and cultural contexts

Subject Assessment

• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (30%) - Individual
• Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 1 - (40%) - Individual
• Written > ePoster - (30%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Assumed Knowledge:  Some background in history would be advantageous but is not required.

Availabilities