2008 Handbooks

Despite persistent rhetoric that Australia is one nation, united and indivisible, the realities of social division in this country are undeniable. One's skin colour, ethnicity, social class background, gender, and sexuality continue to have a significant affect on one's social status and life chances. Moreover, these divisions are shaped by, and in turn help shape, the political process. Taking this premise as our starting point, this course will be organized around the themes of 'race', 'nation' and 'class', exploring the ways in which these dividing categories are articulated and deployed in contemporary Australian politics. Topics covered include race and reconciliation, immigration and multiculturalism, citizenship and fear, the new white nationalism, industrial relations and welfare reform, the contemporary Liberal and Labor parties and the 2007 federal election.