What Sort of Nation?

At a glance

• Student introduction
• Focus question 1: What sort of nation has Australia been? What sort of nation is it today?
  
• Focus question 2: How has immigration shaped the kind of nation we are?
  
• Focus question 3: How do economic factors shape and reflect the kind of nation we are?
  
• Focus question 4: What responsibilities do individuals, communities and governments have for the welfare of Australian citizens?
  
• Focus question 5: What kind of country do we want Australia to be?

Focus question 1: What sort of nation has Australia been? What sort of nation is it today?

Content	Activities (Assessment tasks are in bold italics.)
Images of Australian culture and experience	Interpretation and analysis of images Creation of a personal image of Australia List of components of a national identity

Teaching and learning activities

Focus question 2: How has immigration shaped the kind of nation we are?

Content	Activities (Assessment tasks are in bold italics.)
The make-up of Australia's population: growth over time	Comprehension and analysis of graphic/tabular representation Summary
Australia's immigration policies: the White Australia Policy	Document analysis: reasons for race-based migration policies Preparation of arguments
Australia's immigration policies: populate or perish	Comprehension activity: responses to new migrant intake Synthesis: marketing an immigration policy
A multicultural society; policy change; assimilation to integration	Analysis of ethnic background of class Review of past advice to 'new Australians' and preparation of advice for today Interpretation and discussion: assimilation policies Comprehension and discussion: social cohesion and multiculturalism Analysis of community values Scenario discussion and resolution

Teaching and learning activities

Focus question 3: How do economic factors shape and reflect the kind of nation we are?

Content	Activities (Assessment tasks are in bold italics.)
Recent changes in Australian society	Comprehension and forming opinion
Work	Analysis: changes in employment trends; relationship between level of education and employment; job trends; remuneration levels
What does 'market' mean? The employment market, 'fair and reasonable' reward The international marketplace	Scenario discussion and resolution   Comprehension: changes in international trade Review: work and the global economy Case study: tariff protection and employment

Teaching and learning activities

Focus question 4: What responsibilities do individuals, communities and governments have for the welfare of Australian citizens?

Content	Activities (Assessment tasks are in bold italics.)	Preparation
Australians: rich and poor	Comprehension: income distribution Discussion: equity and income
Australia's social welfare history	Analysis: targeting welfare programs
Individual and government responsibilities	Analysis and rating of 'life risks' Testing hypotheses and synthesis: individual and governmental responsibilities
Social welfare or social security	Comprehension: social welfare or security
Limits to welfare	Comprehension and analysis: government revenue and expenditure Budget simulation: Parliament at Work CD ROM Debate: 'A country should be judged by how well it cares for its least well-off'	Arrange for the use of the relevant activity from the Parliament at Work CD ROM

Teaching and learning activities

Focus question 5: What kind of country do we want Australia to be?

Content	Activities (Assessment tasks are in bold italics.)
A future view	Discussion and values clarification: what kind of country should Australia be Project and poster display: one issue that is critical to Australia's future

Teaching and learning activities