Weird Australia
UndergraduateMAQ-ANTX10602026
Course information for 2026 intake
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 19 July 2026
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 27 July 2026
- Price from
- $2,245
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Weird Australia
About this subject
On successful completion, a student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an awareness of their own social and cultural perspectives to enable self-analysis and openness to diverse perspectives on Australia.
- Apply anthropological theories to the analysis of their own and others’ social, cultural and political practices in a range of contemporary Australian contexts.
- Articulate an understanding of the significance of cultural differences in shaping people's actions, using everyday ethnographic examples.
- Outline and describe broader historical and political contexts that have contributed to the development of varied and [extra]ordinary everyday lives in Australia.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
What are the origins of the Democracy Sausage and the Halal Snack Pack? Why are there so many roundabouts in Canberra? When did we start taking tents to the beach? This unit focuses on both the utterly ordinary and the unexpectedly surprising aspects of everyday life in contemporary Australia. Anthropology seeks to make the familiar strange and the strange familiar. This unique approach yields important and surprising insights into both the human condition and its local Australian variants, allowing us to better understand our shared humanity and to critically assess unexamined aspects of our quotidian lives from a reflexive perspective. Applying this approach to contemporary Australia, this unit covers topics such as beach etiquette, Anzac Day rituals, and the State of Origin rugby league rivalry. Students will examine their everyday lives with new eyes and learn about anthropology’s distinctive methodologies and theoretical approaches.
- Short essay on anthropology related topic (40%)
- Case study on an anthropology topic (30%)
- Take home exam (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
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- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
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