Colonizing With Thieves

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the lives of convicts transported to Australia during the 18th and 19th centuries, tracing their journey from crowded British prisons to the harsh conditions aboard convict ships. Students will study the brutal reality of transportation, including long voyages across the ocean, cramped quarters, and the struggle to survive on limited rations. Once in Australia, convicts faced strict discipline, harsh punishments, and were often assigned to backbreaking labour for government projects or private settlers. The course will also examine how some convicts managed to rise above their circumstances, becoming wealthy and influential members of society. From the infamous female convicts, often working in domestic service, to political prisoners transported for their dissent against the British crown, students will discover the diverse backgrounds and fates of these individuals. Key themes include the development of Australia's early economy, the role of convict labour in building colonial infrastructure, and the complex social hierarchy that emerged, blending free settlers with emancipated convicts. Finally, the course will highlight stories of resilience, rebellion, and unexpected success, showing how convict Australia was not only a place of punishment but also opportunity, with some former prisoners going on to shape the nation's future. IN DEVELOPMENT: COURSE OVERVIEW ONLY