The Myth of Terra Nullius

This course uncovers the origins and misconceptions surrounding the term “terra nullius”. From early explorers like Willem Janszoon and William Dampier to Captain James Cook, no one claimed the continent was uninhabited. Cook himself recorded evidence of human habitation 26 times during his coastal voyage. When was this term invented? Was it ever actually used? Who invented it and why? Through this course, you will explore the fabrication of “terra nullius”, why it became entrenched in Australian history, and the impact of this myth on the nation’s legal and cultural landscape. IN DEVELOPMENT: COURSE OVERVIEW ONLY