Beyond the Fatal Shore: Australian History, Sport & Politics

2010 Program Dates: 14 June to 25 July 2010

Program Overview: .pdf

Highlights

Includes guided travel to five distinct regions of Australia (Darwin, Kakadu, Canberra, Sydney and Cairns)
Earn academic credit transferable to your home degree
Participants take the core course and no electives. The program is stream-lined to be a "stand-alone" 90 hour program worth 6-8 U.S. credits

The Program

This program, conducted in conjunction with Georgetown University, will present a narrative overview of key topics in Australian history and explore some of the essential themes of the Australian experience. Through the lenses of Australia’s sporting history, its political landscape and the development of the bush and Anzac mythologies we will uncover the nature of Australia’s identity. Using a variety of teaching mediums (lectures, seminars, films and excursions), the program will introduce students to major aspects of the Australian experience.

Some of the other major topics areas to be explored include:

• What is/was the nature of traditional Aboriginal society, and how has that changed since colonisation?
• What are the major events and influences that have shaped contemporary Australian society?
• The development of culture in Australia – 1788 to the present;
• The development and importance of the Bush and Anzac mythologies;
• The concept of Sport as (Australian) culture;
• Politics, racism and gender issues in Australian Sport;
• The development of Australian Liberal democracy;
• Indigenous Australians and contemporary political discourse;
• Constitutional systems, political parties and culture.

What is the meaning and background of the Wik and Mabo decisions? Over a hundred years after Federation, why is Australia still not a republic? To what extent is there a distinctive Australian literary and visual culture? Is Australia really a classless society? How have Australians negotiated the complex series of relationships with their powerful allies (including the US) and near neighbours? These are some of the questions that will be addressed in the lecture/seminar series and related excursions.

Locations and Guided Travel

The first two weeks of the program are set in Darwin, in Australia’s ‘Top End’. The highlight during this period is a three-day camping expedition into Kakadu National Park viewing ancient Aboriginal rock art, crocodiles and spectacular scenery. At the end of week two, the program will transfer to Canberra, Australia’s capital and seat of government, where students will tour such national institutions as the Australian War Memorial and the Parliament of Australia. From there, until the end of week five, the program will be based at The University of New South Wales (UNSW) campus, located 20 minutes from downtown Sydney, Australia’s largest and most active city, and five minutes from the beachside suburb of Coogee. In week six, the program shifts to Cairns where students will finish classes and then be able to relax and participate in the wide range of activities available.

Accommodations

Students will be housed in a variety of accommodation styles when travelling, including shared, budget-style accommodation, a few nights camping, single dorm rooms, and shared hotel rooms.

Teaching

Course size is restricted to thirty students allowing greater student participation and a more hands-on approach to learning. Lecturing will be done by professors of the University of New South Wales.

Program Fee

2009 Program Fee: $5590 USD
2010 Program Fees: $6295 USD

The program fee includes tuition (worth 6 UNSW credits, generally 6-8 US credits, on a UNSW transcript); all accommodation; excursion costs; airport shuttle services; orientation programs; and a UNSW student card (allowing access to all UNSW facilities); all meals when camping in Kakadu National Park, light breakfast in Canberra, breakfasts and lunches in Sydney, and breakfasts and a final dinner in Cairns. The program fee does not include other meals or airfares.

Travel

International air travel is organised through Qantas. Packages have been designed to allow students to spend time in the tropical north of Australia on the Great Barrier Reef at the completion of each program, or in a host of destinations such as New Zealand or Hawaii on their return to the US, at little or no extra cost. Upon application participants will be provided complete airfare details.

Credit

Participants in the program are able to obtain credits through universities and colleges in the United States and Europe. This program is approved by UNSW and students will receive their grades on a UNSW transcript. Credit transfer (worth 6 UNSW credits, generally 6-8 US credits) is subject to home institution regulations so please consult your academic advisor for guidance. Study Australia and UNSW will provide all documentation to overseas institutions to assist in credit transfer.

Admissions Requirements and Application

Students should be currently enrolled at an approved degree-granting institution of higher education. Currently, there is a 2.8 minimum GPA requirement for this program. If your GPA falls below the required minimum or you are currently a freshman, please contact to determine eligibility.

This course is an introductory level course. Interested students can apply on-line or download the Study Australia application.

There is a $30 application fee. In addition, after acceptance into the program a $1000 deposit is required. The deposit is fully refundable, less a $150 administrative fee, should students withdraw by March 15, 2010. After March 15, 2010 the deposit is no longer refundable. In extenuating circumstances, a refund may be a possibility after March 15, 2010, however it is at the sole discretion of UNSW.

Application Deadline: Applications are assessed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. We suggest interested students apply by April 1, 2010 to avoid disappointment. Interested students seeking to apply after April 1, 2010 are encouraged to contact Tiana McEvoy at 1.800.585.9658 or via as there may be a few spots available on the program.

A pre-departure package for the program will be sent to the applicant once accepted into the program.