Course description
A major in History consists of eight 12.5 subjects totally 100 points and comprising:
Level 1
* One Arts Foundational lnterdisciplinary Subject (Understanding Asia and Democracy are recommended)
* and one First Year History subject
Level 2
* 37.5 points of the level 2 subjects
Level 3
* 37.5 points of the level 3 subjects below, including the compulsory capstone subject.
A minor in History consists of six 12.5 point subjects, totalling 75 points, comprising:
Level 1
* One Arts Foundational lnterdisciplinary Subject (Understanding Asia and Democracy are recommended)
* and one First Year History subject
Level 2
* 25 points of the level 2 history subjects
Level 3
* 25 points of the level 3 subjects
Level 1 History Subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
131-119 Age of Revolutions: America and France
In the second half of the 18th century, much of the Western world experienced unprecedented change. The 'Age of Revolutions' was a key turning-point in world history. The most spectacular examples of this upheaval occurred in the 13 British... Semester 1 12.50
131-120 Making Sense of America: U.S. Since 1945
Understanding the United States today requires an understanding of the country’s historical trajectory. By examining U.S. politics, culture, society and foreign policy since the end of World War II, we aim to understand how things came to... Semester 2 12.50
131-166 Medieval Plague, War and Heresy
The period from 1300-1450 has been described as a ‘calamitous’ one in European history: it saw the deaths of 25 million people from plague; the ravages of the 100 Years War between France and England; Schism in the Church; the... Semester 2 12.50
131-122 The World That Made Us: 1945 to Today
An overview of the history of the world the last two generations have grown up in. The emphasis is on the world - this is not a history of Australia, but of the world beyond our shores. There are two great themes in this the period. The first is the ... Semester 1 12.50
102-110 Contesting Australia
This subject examines rival ideas about Australia. It explores some of the ways in which Australian history, politics, culture and society have been sites of contestation. It looks at issues such as Aboriginality, migration, sexuality, war and confli... Semester 1 12.50
107-102 Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
This subject will study the archaeology and literature of the two earliest civilisations - one situated in the Nile Valley (Egypt), the other in the plains of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (Mesopotamia). These vastly different societies, which have... Semester 1 12.50
107-104 Myth, Art and Empire: Greece and Rome
This course will introduce students to ancient Greek and Roman culture. Through a study of ancient literary texts, art, and society, students will explore the mythic origins, heroic archetypes, gods and goddesses, monuments and societies of the Greek... Semester 2 12.50
Level 2 History Subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
131-018 Searching for the American Dream
In this subject we trace the American Dream from its origins in Puritan Boston, to the present day. We spend time in Boston, New York, and Washington, with day trips to Salem and Lowell. In each city we visit museums, historic sites, and a range of c... Semester 2 25
131-039 The Rise of Modern Japan 1850s-1990s
Japan´s rapid and remarkable transformation from a semi-feudal, isolated island nation to that of a centralized nation state, empire, and eventual global power has had a profound impact on its people, its Asian and Pacific ne... Summer 12.50
131-042 The Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic
This lecture series celebrates the turbulent and exciting history of the Roman Republic, from its humble beginnings around 500 BCE to the assassination of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March 44 BCE. The first part discusses Early Rome; the social, pol... Semester 1 12.50
131-044 Renaissance Nuremberg & Central Europe
This subject will not be available in 2009 25
131-046 Great Empires of Islamic Civilisation
This subject examines the growth of Islamic civilisation in the period between the revelation of the Quran and the end of Muslim rule in Spain in 1492. The study focuses on the Arabic and Turkish-speaking areas of western Asia, North Africa and the I... Semester 2 12.50
131-051 Aboriginal & Pacific Islander Histories
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
131-052 The Holocaust & Genocide
In this study of the Holocaust, students will come to understand some of the critical issues arising from the destruction of European Jews, and other victims of Nazi policies. Through historical background and guest lectures by survivors, the course ... Semester 1 12.50
131-075 The Graeco-Roman City in Antiquity
This intensive subject examines ancient Greek and Roman societies and cities in Greece, Turkey* and Italy. We will be based in: Athens, with day trips to Delphi and the Sounion peninsular; Hellenistic sites on the west coast of Turkey; and Rome, with... Summer 25
131-076 Asia, the Pacific & the West in History
From Burma to Japan, Manchuria to Thailand, the Cook Islands to Cambodia and Tibet, this subject will explore histories of Asia, the Pacific and the West's involvement in these areas from the 16th century to the present, with an emphasis on 20th... Semester 1 12.50
131-217 Modern Southeast Asia
From the growing influence of Islam in Indonesia to tourist industries in Vietnam and Cambodia, built on war time experiences this subject explores the history and lasting legacies of political, social and cultural change in modern Southeast Asia. Us... Semester 1 12.50
131-219 Modern & Contemporary Ireland Since 1790
In the two centuries since 1790 Ireland has experienced at least four rebellions and three wars and/or civil wars. Yet, with a population during the 20th century not much bigger than MelbourneÂ’s today, it managed to win three... Semester 2 12.50
131-240 Controversies in Australian History
This subject examines controversial episodes in the Australian past that commanded public attention, gave rise to heated argument and exposed national divisions. Controversies such as the Myall Creek Massacre, the Eureka rising, the campaign for fema... Semester 2 12.50
131-273 'La Serenissima': The Myth of Venice
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
102-003 Australia and America
This subject examines, in a comparative context, historical and cultural developments in the United States and Australia from the mid-19th century until the present day. In tracing the similarities and differences in the experiences of these two nati... Semester 1, Semester 2 12.50
102-005 Exploring Central Australia
Exploring Central Australia is an interdisciplinary subject designed to guide students towards a 'shaping' experience of Central Australia. It is a subject designed to prompt academic inquiry in the context of a first-hand encounter - an in... Semester 2 12.50
107-222 Classical Athens
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
107-229 Augustan Rome
This subject examines Roman culture during the ascendancy of Rome's first emperor, Augustus Caesar. This period (27 BCE-14 CE) saw heightened activity in the fields of literature, architecture, religion and art, as the new regime consolidated it... Semester 2 12.50
136-217 Science: Revolutions and Evolutions
The rise of modern science in early modern Europe (roughly between 1500 and 1750) has had a crucial role for the development of modern society. This subject examines the causes and the consequences of this process. We will study the changes in scient... Semester 2 12.50
110-202 Chinese Studies: Culture and Empire
This introductory subject examines Chinese society and culture by looking at the relationship between cultural systems and imperial power. It addresses the long-term development of social and intellectual structures in China in relation to empire as ... Semester 1 12.50
131-281 U.S. History to 1941: Claiming Freedom
In its first 165 years the US grew from a disparate collection of east-coast colonies to a major world power. The subject examines American society through these years, exploring the intertwined themes of slavery, freedom and growth. The first part f... Semester 1 12.50
107-211 Egypt Under the Pharaohs
The Egyptians are one of the most fascinating peoples of the ancient world. This course will study the distinctive character of Egyptian civilisation which emerged in the Nile valley during the early third millennium BCE and survived right through un... Semester 1 12.50
131-275 A History of Israel: Good Bad & Disputed
This subject will examine and focus on modern Israeli history, beginning with the first decade of Israeli statehood and evaluating the nation-building process, the formation of state institutions and the evolution of a democratic regime. Also discus... Semester 1 12.50
131-276 Medieval and Renaissance Europe
Knights and ladies, castles and crusades, merchants, great artists, the discovery of man and of the world: such images of medieval and Renaissance Europe remain potent and enduring even in our post modern world. This subject will introduce students t... Semester 1 12.50
131-277 Total War in Europe: World War One
In 1914 Europe plunged into a war that soon assumed a destructive scale unprecedented in world history. This subject will focus on the causes of armed conflict, the nature of total war, and the consequences (social, economic, cultural and political) ... Semester 1 12.50
131-279 Total War in Europe: World War Two
The war launched by Hitler in September 1939 became the second total war of the twentieth century. This subject will explore the causes of armed conflict, the nature of total war, and some of the consequences (social, economic, cultural and political... Semester 2 12.50
131-274 Famine in World History
An examination of the changing nature of the food problem as societies develop and of the causes of famine, the nature of famine and of policies applied by the state to alleviate famine, and how all of these have changed over time. The subject consid... Semester 1 12.50
102-214 Australia Now
This subject introduces students to key social, political and environmental issues which are shaping contemporary Australia. It is ideal for international students, for students whose main area of study lies outside the humanities, and for students w... Semester 1, Semester 2 12.50
102-211 Migrant Nation: Culture and Identity
This subject allows students to engage critically with Australia as a migrant nation, identifying its complex nature through a variety of disciplinary perspectives. Topics covered include the history and politics of Australian immigration, multicultu... Semester 1 12.50
Level 3 History Subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
671-370 Searching for the American Dream
In this subject we trace the American Dream from its origins in Puritan Boston, to the present day. We spend time in Boston, New York, and Washington, with day trips to Salem and Lowell. In each city we visit museums, historic sites, and a range of c... Semester 2 25
671-374 The Rise of Modern Japan 1850s-1990s
Japan´s rapid and remarkable transformation from a semi-feudal, isolated island nation to that of a centralized nation state, empire, and eventual global power has had a profound impact on its people, its Asian and Pacific ne... Summer 12.50
671-375 The Renaissance in Italy
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
671-376 Imperial Rome: Augustus to Theodosius I
For no less than four full centuries, the mighty Roman Empire controlled vast tracts of Europe, the Near East and North Africa. The first part of this introduction to Roman imperial history comprises the Julio-Claudian period, including a discussion ... Semester 2 12.50
671-377 Renaissance Nuremberg & Central Europe
This subject will not be available in 2009 25
671-379 Hitler's Germany
This subject explores German society, culture and politics from 1933 to 1945, with special emphasis on the origins, development and significance of the Nazi dictatorship. Topics include the post-WWI crisis, the rise of the Nazi movement, Nazi ideolog... Semester 1 12.50
671-380 The Russian Revolution 1890-1924
This subject examines the nature of late Tsarist society and causes of the revolutions of 1905 and 1917 and how these contributed to the emerging Soviet society. On completion of this subject students should have an improved understanding of the natu... Semester 2 12.50
671-383 Making China Modern
The history of 20th century China is explored via a study of major events linked to modernizing and nation-building projects. Changes in political organisation, material culture and understandings of self and community are traced from the end of the ... Semester 2 12.50
671-384 The Modern Middle East
This subject is a historical survey of the major events, movements and relationships that have participated in the making of the modern Islamic and Arab Middle East since the onset of European penetration and colonialism. The subject enables students... Semester 1 12.50
671-387 The Graeco-Roman City in Antiquity
This intensive subject examines ancient Greek and Roman societies and cities in Greece, Turkey* and Italy. We will be based in: Athens, with day trips to Delphi and the Sounion peninsular; Hellenistic sites on the west coast of Turkey; and Rome, with... Summer 25
671-388 Asia, the Pacific & the West in History
From Burma to Japan, Manchuria to Thailand, the Cook Islands to Cambodia and Tibet, this subject will explore histories of Asia, the Pacific and the West's involvement in these areas from the 16th century to the present, with an emphasis on 20th... Semester 1 12.50
673-393 Power, Identity and Jewish History
The modern Jewish experience has often been characterized as an era of increasing participation in civil society, and is juxtaposed with the "premodern" era of Jewish separateness. By re-integrating the history of the Jews into the social a... Semester 2 12.50
673-396 Ireland Down Under
The Irish were a founding people in Australia from 1788. Indeed, in terms of their proportion of the population, the Irish were more significant in Australia during the 19th century than in any other country to which Irish immigrants went, including ... Semester 1 12.50
674-300 'La Serenissima': The Myth of Venice
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
670-308 Exploring Central Australia
Exploring Central Australia is an interdisciplinary subject designed to guide students towards a 'shaping' experience of Central Australia. It is a subject designed to prompt academic inquiry in the context of a first-hand encounter - an in... Semester 2 12.50
670-309 Witness: War and the Australian Media
This subject examines Australia's involvement in war and the journalists and photographers who reported on these international conflicts. Since Howard Willoughby covered the New Zealand Wars in 1863, our war correspondents have been considered i... Semester 1 12.50
670-310 From Mateship to Mardi Gras
This subject introduces students to the history of homosexuality in Australia since European arrival. It explores the formation of sexual cultures in the 19th and early- and mid-20th centuries and examines the development of gay and lesbian politics ... Semester 2 12.50
110-053 Taiwan & Beyond: Chinese Settler Culture
This subject introduces students to migration and settlement as major processes in Chinese cultural history. it examines the expansion of Chinese culture beyond its traditional heartlands, taking Taiwan as a key example. Taiwan will be examined along... Semester 1 12.50
672-306 The Crusades
This subject explores the crusading movement and the world of the crusaders from the first crusade in 1095 to the fall of Acre in 1291. Topics include definitions and justifications of holy war and jihad; motives for crusading; the Latin kingdom of J... Semester 2 12.50
671-395 The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict
The Arab-Israeli conflict remains one of the most complex dilemmas facing the new century. This course will trace the history of this conflict, from the beginning of Jewish nationalism to the present. Issues to be studied include Jewish migration to ... Semester 2 12.50
673-362 From Pericles to Cleopatra
The aim of this subject is to introduce students to the archaeology of the Mediterranean in the Classical and Hellenistic periods (5th-1st centuries BC), examining how the construction projects of Pericles transformed the physical appearance of Athen... Semester 1 12.50
131-302 New Kingdom Egypt, the Aegean & the East
This subject will introduce students to New Kingdom imperial Egypt, Aegean-Greece, and explore their relationships with Canaan, Philistia, and ancient Israel. During the Late Bronze Age (1700-1200 BCE), this region enjoyed unprecedented prosperity, a... Semester 2 12.50
