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250 years ago, on 28 April 1770, James Cook landed on the Australian shore and claimed it for the British crown, an act that would ultimately lead to the colonisation of the continent and the dispossession of Australia's Indigenous peoples. This year's 250th anniversary of Cook's arrival provides us with the unique chance to engage with texts, images and films dealing with arrivals, first encounters and explorations of various kinds, from the colonial era to the present day, while reflecting critically on current commemorative events in Australia. Texts under discussion will include travel reports by James Cook, Georg Forster and Watkin Tench, excerpts from Patrick White's novel Voss as well as narratives by Indigenous writers Philip McLaren, Kim Scott and Doris Pilkington.
A course reader will be made available online from April 20. |
