Schedule

Australian Life & Culture

UNSW Information

Related Links

	One of Australia's best known landmarks: the Sydney Opera House.

MSU Expectations

READINGS

Readings from the coursepack or handouts will be assigned in advance.

ASSIGNMENTS

First day descriptive writing exercise

Wander around Darwin. Find a place - a park, a building, a statue, a pub, a store that reflects a style of culture, history, architecture or design that appears different from that of the United States. Observe. Take notes. Write no more than 500 words describing what you see, feel, hear, sense. Don't use the words I, we, me, our. Don't compare or contrast it with what you're familiar with in the United States. (Remember: It doesn't matter whether you like it.)

After the exercise is edited, you'll post excerpts on our Web site, with any suitable photos.

Session Write-ups

One important goal of the program is to help you think more analytically, more broadly, more curiously, to look for implications and repercussions and ripple effects rather than simply absorb what you're told uncritically like a sponge or blotter.

Do a write-up (two pages maximum) after each speaker or group activity. Include two key points you learned but more importantly, major issues raised and questions unanswered. For example, what are you still curious about? What are the implications of what you heard? How did the presentation tie to the readings? These write-ups, which will be returned, will serve as a running record of our sessions and a way to synthesize your experiences.

Write thoughtfully, in plain English. Don't repeat what was said - I was there so I know that. Don't pad with unnecessary words and phrases. Don't tell me whether you liked or disliked the presentation.

What follows are some thematic questions and issues that may apply to these activities and speakers. The questions aren't arranged in any particular order. The list isn't intended to be complete, merely to guide you into thinking analytically.

• How are environmental and natural resource decisions made in Australia?
• Is mainstream press coverage of controversial issues fair and balanced?
• How does the Australian media - press, film, television - shape stereotypes, cultural self-esteem, environmental awareness, consumption demands and other behaviors?
• How do Australian individuals, government agencies and institutions balance competing values, such as technology against traditions, economics against aesthetics, native cultures against imported cultures?
• Are parks, preserves and wilderness social and artificial constructs that fail to reflect scientific realities about habitat, species and developmental pressures?
• What differences are there between U.S. and Australian press coverage of environmental and cultural issues?
• Without being judgmental, what similarities and differences do you see between U.S. and Australian approaches to environmental protection, media and press freedom, racial issues, economic disparities, human rights, education and political participation?
• What power or authority does the so-called First World have to restrict development and economic opportunities for other societies, within their own borders and in other countries? Can those who already "have" block the "have-nots" from having too?
• How do Australians balance tourism with environmental protection?
• How does Australia's colonial history affect its culture?
• How do Australians negotiate, compromise, resolve conflicts and attempt to define and satisfy mutual self-interests when they disagree on cultural, environmental or political issues?
• What competing and complementary roles are played by nonprofit organizations, government groups, Aboriginal groups, scientific and technical experts, business interests, labor unions and individuals?
• To what degree should science - scientific knowledge at this point - make policy decisions or have the power to override contrary government or business policies?
• What role if any does technology play in redistributing power - empowering the poor or minorities, for example?

These are due each Monday except for the last week, when they're due the final day of the program. Advice: Take good notes. More advice: Don't wait until late Sunday night to do a week's worth.

Nature Essay

Based on your experiences in Darwin and Kakadu and our discussion of essay-writing techniques and goals, write a 1,000-1,500-word nature-based essay. Rewrite the essay after it's edited.

Team Web Project

In Sydney, you'll be assigned to a team to research, report on and prepare a writing-and-photo package for our Web site. Each team will choose its own topic, subject to instructor approval, within the broad spectrum of Australian media, environment and culture.

You need a precise, interesting "angle" for this site - ask what you want the user to experience. Think visually as well as textually. Remember, web-sites can link various types of information/images/sounds through which the user navigates. They are not just illustrated journals.

To make good web-sites, you need to collect interesting, even arresting material. Web-sites are "public" not "private", so think about whom you want to attract and what you want them to experience. Collect material purposefully and systematically. Label it, classify it. Keep it secure. Add your own photos to your "assets folder" if you wish.

To produce high quality work, you need to write, edit, re-write, have a friend read your work, then write it (or revise it) again if necessary.

Be inquisitive; be observant. Be critical of your own and others' written exercises. You need to go beyond writing as you would speak.

Phrases we will see red about: "awesome", "cool", "cute", and any sentence that begins: "words cannot describe SS" keep hyperbole (even adjectives) to a minimum (you are, after all, potential journalists!).

The project will be posted to the Web site and the team will present it to the entire group.

Additional Assignments

University of New South Wales faculty may make additional assignments.

Grading

There are no quizzes or exams. Instead, the emphasis and basis for grades will be completion of all written work, readings and other assignments in a professional manner; active participation in all mandatory activities, including seminars, field trips and discussion sessions; and meeting deadlines.

Excerpts of some nature essays, session write-ups and travel features will be posted to the Web with photos.

Please note

The expectations expressed by both UNSW and MSU academic staff will be taken into account in final grading. Flexibility is the key to this program. Assignments, site visits, due dates, etc. will change throughout the program depending on our progress.