The Making of Melbourne (UNIB10023)

Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5Off Campus

You’re viewing the 2025 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks

Overview

Availability
Semester 2 - Off Campus
FeesLook up fees

Melbourne is often described as one of the ‘world’s most liveable cities’. What makes Melbourne such a vibrant city and how did it get there? Did you know that the siting of the Melbourne CBD is actually related to ancient volcanic eruptions? The geology and natural environment around Melbourne provided the Indigenous clans of the eastern Kulin nation access to fresh water and proximity to the coastal and wetland resources that were central to their annual cycle of movements around their ancestral homeland for at least 30,000 years. These resources also made the area an ideal “Site for a Village” by European settlers who ‘founded’ the city in 1835. Since that time, Melbourne has undergone profound changes in its population, prosperity, cultural diversity, infrastructure and natural resources. Establishment of the city had a devastating impact on the Indigenous inhabitants and also became almost unliveable during periods of its history. What is happening now, or is being planned, to recognise this history and ensure the sustainability of our city into the future?

This subject will take you on a journey across the city of Melbourne in space and time, exploring the natural, cultural and constructed development of this thriving city. A range of disciplinary perspectives will provide you with an awareness of how this city, and our University within it, have evolved to the present day, and what plans there are to sustain them both into the future

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students will be able to:

  • Recount the geological events that created the ideal site for the city of Melbourne and describe how the development of biodiversity corresponded to these different geological environments;
  • Describe the importance of the "Melbourne" area to the people of the eastern Kulin nations and identify the challenges faced by Indigenous populations and their culture through time (past, present and future);
  • Identify key stages of immigration, why they occurred and how these led to the cultural diversity of the city;
  • Identify how the industrialisation and  changing economy of Melbourne is reflected  in the present‐day cultural and architectural  diversity of the city. 
  • Collect, collate and synthesise  information to reveal the interconnections  between the geological,  Indigenous and immigration  history of the city, and how these link to the  business, economic and architectural  development of Melbourne  
  • Outline the challenges faced by the city  and plans to ensure its recognition of  Indigenous history, its long‐term  sustainability and how Melbourne can retain  its reputation as one of the world's most  'liveable' cities.

Generic skills

  • An ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a small group
  • An ability to set goals and manage time and priorities
  • A heightened self‐awareness and sensitivity regarding cultural diversity 
  • Enhanced confidence in working across disciplinary boundaries
  • An understanding of and respect for Indigenous knowledge, culture and values

Last updated: 13 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 13 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Completion of online modules

  • 8 - 10 hours
Hurdle requirement: Completion of activities will be tracked in Canvas.		Throughout the teaching periodN/A

Completion of online quizzes (5 in total)

  • 10 minutes (each)
From Week 1 to Week 520%

Field report (group project)

  • 1200 words
Week 730%

Group project report

  • 1200 words
Week 1230%

Individual SWOT analysis

  • 800 words
During the examination period20%

Last updated: 13 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2 - Off Campus
    CoordinatorRachel Popelka-Filcoff
    Mode of deliveryOff Campus
    Contact hours
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

    Semester 2 contact information

    rachel.popelkafilcoff@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

Time commitment includes: Online learning modules and associated assessment (approximately 10 hours), practical work undertaken in and around the city (25‐30 hours), preparation of the field report, online posts, final group project report and individual SWOT analysis (130 hours).

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 13 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 13 March 2025