"It is the driest, flattest, hottest, most desiccated, infertile and climatically aggressive of all the inhabited continents and still Australia teems with life - a large portion of it quite deadly. In fact, Australia has more things that can kill you in a very nasty way than anywhere else." (Blurb of Bill Bryson's Down Under) Despite the environmental dangers and difficulties Bryson refers to, the people in Australia have overcome these obstacles and grown into a multicultural society that can look back over a short but rich history. This seminar will cover the development of Australia from a country that was once a British convict colony, to one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The seminar will cover the following aspects: Australian history Politics and government Geography Educational system Everyday life Music and culture Multiculturalism The course material comes from a variety of sources such as newspapers, books, music and film. |
