AIX290 - Australia Today: An Introduction to Australia
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 3: Burwood (Melbourne) Please note: this unit is offered in intensive mode commencing early January at Burwood (Melbourne) only |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 3: Emma Kowal |
| Cohort rule: | This unit is available to International students and Exchange students only. |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | AIX292, AIX390, AIX392 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | Intensive mode (early January - dates TBA): 6 x 1-hour on-campus lectures per intensive 6 x 1-hour on-campus seminars per intensive 5 x 2-hour on-site practical experience (field trips) per intensive (dates to be confirmed) |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Content
The unit studies current debates, issues and concerns in the understanding of contemporary Australian society and culture. It focuses on the interests of international students who need skills and understandings for work and study in Australia. Through an introduction to the key issues facing Australians today, the unit aims to develop students' skills for working and communicating in the international context; locate Australia in various global contexts, within the British Empire, Asia, the global economy, politics and international relations; and take an international perspective on diversity and difference in Australian culture and society, through a range of studies of popular culture, histories, settlement, landscape and people.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Articulate and understand some key issues currently animating Australia Today | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Gain a comprehensive overview of Australian history, society, politics and culture; to allow an informed cultural orientation to Australia | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Research, structure and write an essay, field research report and in-class exercises in English to an acceptable academic standard, using scholarly conventions | GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital literacy |
| ULO4 | Utilising the field methods of participation and observation along with other research techniques,analyse the experience of an Australian cultural artefact and locate it into to its wider social and historical setting | GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO5 | Utilise the skills and knowledge presented in the unit to interrogate current politics, landscapes and issues and locate them into an international context | GLO4: Critical thinking |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Class Exercise | 1000 words | 25% | Week 10 |
| Assessment 2: Report | 1000 words | 25% | Week 10 |
| Assessment 3: Essay | 2000 words | 50% | End-of-unit assessment period |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for AIX290 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.