OZ.S: Teaching of Australian Economic History

[sville at uow.edu.au]

The purpose of this message is three-fold. 
Firstly, I would like to gain some idea of the extent to which Australian Economic History is being taught at Australian and New Zealand Universities, and at what level the subject is taught- for example, first, second, third year. 
Secondly, I would like to gauge the level of interest in teaching Australian Economic History on a cross-institutional basis. I am currently teaching at University of New England a second/third year survey unit on Australian Economic History which is under threat of being scrapped due to low enrolments. It is my perception that currently there are very few units on Australian Economic History being taught and those that do survive are also under threat. If a cross-institutional collaboration can be developed it will help to save the teaching of Australian Economic History at least in the medium-term. UNE already has a number of these collaborative programs running and is well-placed to “service” external/off-campus students.
Thirdly, is there any interest in a meeting/symposium to discuss these issues and possibly initiate the design of an acceptable unit (or units) of study or adapt an existing unit. I am attending a two-day symposium next week on cross-institutional collaboration so I will be able to bring to a meeting of interested economic historians information on the requirements for, and the framework of, current collaborative programs.
So, please let me now about what you are teaching in Australian Economic History, if you are interested in a collaborative approach to saving the discipline and/or getting together to discuss the situation.
Cheers

Maxine Darnell
School of Economics, UNE
Phone: 02 6773 3595
Fax: 02 6773 3596
Email: mdarnell at une.edu.au