Australians have been telling stories for thousands of years, from the Dreamtime stories of the creation of the Indigenous world to digitally produced contemporary narratives.
These are stories of the land, of nature, of the city and the country, of experiences and ideas, of people and events – great and small.
To understand this place and its people, writers and artists have told stories using traditions and techniques from diverse disciplines. These include forms of fiction and non-fiction writing, photography, cinema, and other digital media.
In this course you will be immersed – imaginatively, culturally and geographically – in Australia, and you’ll be challenged creatively to develop your voice as a storyteller.
Storytelling in Australia offers international students and domestic and international onshore students the opportunity to learn about these stories and storytellers, and to travel deep into the Western Australian outback to learn how landscape has always inspired them.
Create your own story
The course covers the traditions of Australian storytelling, including Indigenous stories (past and present), Australian literature and cinema, and critical contemporary issues in Australia.
You will be encouraged to develop your own narrative style and to choose an appropriate genre and form to work in. If you are technically proficient in a particular field (for example, in screen production, audio production, or photography), you may wish to create a story in one of those modes. But you don’t need to be a production specialist to undertake the course. If you can write and represent your experiences, thoughts and feelings, you are telling stories.
The course involves on-campus workshops and a 10-day regional tour of north-west Western Australia, with its UNESCO-listed natural coastal wonders and its rugged interior. Along the way you’ll be encouraged to reflect on the places, the experiences and the people you encounter.
The 10-day tour
The Pilbara, the region where you’ll be spending some time, is rugged, hot and dusty, yet will mesmerise you with its beauty and splendour. The mountainous outcrops are the oldest on earth, impressive in their majesty. The Pilbara also has some of the most hardy fauna and flora, and you may come across a shy rock wallaby, the perentie lizard, the grey and the red kangaroo, and other animals unique to Australia.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the tour is Karijini National Park. Hidden among Western Australia’s mining towns, this area is pristine. The gorges, sparkling freshwater pools, and awe-inspiring landscape will simply take your breath away.
The program
| Date | 22 June to 10 July 2020 |
|---|---|
| Credit value | 3 Murdoch Credit Points |
| Format | These details are subject to change, but you can expect:
|
| Assessment | This course is assessed by:
|
| Cost | Study abroad students: A$4,500 |
What's included in the cost?
The cost includes:
- tuition
- airport pickup (for study abroad students only)
- fully serviced apartment on campus at Murdoch University Student Village while in Perth and some food (for study abroad students only)
- 10-day study tour of the north-west region of Western Australia
- accommodation and food during study tour
- use of media production facilities (where appropriate).
Apply for Storytelling in Australia
Study abroad students
Add the Storytelling Australia short course to the unit selection form when applying for the Study Abroad and Exchange program.
Domestic and international students
Contact Anne Surma, English and Creative Arts program on a.surma@murdoch.edu.au.
