Mysterious Antipodes, social model of Australia and New Zealand

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This course gives students a broad, but theoretically robust introduction to the people and societies of Australia and New Zealand. The logic of the course is to make steps from basic concepts, empirical trends, their explanations, to main policy ideas.

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This course gives students a broad, but theoretically robust introduction to the people and societies of Australia and New Zealand. The logic of the course is to make steps from basic concepts, empirical trends, their explanations, to main policy ideas.

Australia and New Zealand are politically, economically, and culturally important to the Asia-Pacific region. This course gives students a broad, but theoretically robust introduction to the people and societies of Australia and New Zealand (Down Under). It traces the main themes in the historical, political and multicultural formation of these countries into successful social democracies. The course focuses on the current issues in Australia and New Zealand. The course will especially be of interest to students of political science, international relations, social/public policy, sociology, social science, business, tourism, education and language.

Outline of class meetings (topics):

1. An introduction to Australia and New Zealand: Geography and history

2. An introduction to Australia and New Zealand: Political Culture, Political Institutions, Relationships with the Crown, Relationships with Asia and beyond

3. Student’s projects. Leisure and tourism

4. Current issues and debates Down Under: Education

5. Current issues and debates Down Under: Health care

6. Current issues and debates Down Under: Family policy (and gender issues)

7. Current issues and debates Down Under: Labour market policy

8. Poles in Australia and New Zealand

9. Current issues and debates Down Under: Income support (social assistance, pension system)

10. Current issues and debates Down Under: Housing policy

11. Current issues and debates Down Under: Indigenous people, cultures and reconciliation

12. Current issues and debates Down Under: Immigration, multiculturalism, citizenship

13. Current issues and debates Down Under: Economy and Environmental Politics

14. Final essay. Consultations.

15. Final essay. Consultations.

Literature for classes will be made available in class. We will be using Google Classroom as a repository of course materials.

Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to:

• identify and understand key themes and challenges in Australian and New Zealand social, political and economic life,

• discuss issues relating to Australia and New Zealand as immigration nations and problematise ideas of Australasian cultures and identities,

• discuss core topics in Australia and New Zealand’s relationships with Asia and beyond,

• understand and discuss the cultures and challenges for Indigenous people,

• understand features of the English language in Australia and New Zealand,

• apply their knowledge about Australia and New Zealand to their own field of study.

The grade for the course is based on the following percentages for each activity in the course:

• reading and contributing to class discussions - 20%,

• collaborating in a group project - 25%,

• final essay - 55%.

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