Understanding the emergence of national consciousness has long been a central preoccupation of Australian historical writing. This unit considers concepts of imperialism, nationalism and sovereignty in Australian history and historiography, with an emphasis on their treatment in recent historical writing. Topics to be studied include: national identity; popular sovereignty; republicanism; the transition from a White Australia to multiculturalism; gender; Federation; war; Britishness; Aboriginality; and ideas of place. Assessment will be by assignment work.