Cirrus@Austlit

What stories have been told about the south polar continent since its existence was first hypothesized? What are the genres, themes, motifs and metaphors through which we imagine Antarctica? How have these changed with increasing access to the region? How do writers engage with recent debates about Antarctica, including those relating to the environment, mineral resources, tourism and international politics? This unit offers students the opportunity to respond to these questions by examining a selection of the rich body of texts the continent has provoked over the last few centuries. These may be drawn from a variety of genres, including fiction, poetry, drama, diaries, exploration narratives and travel writing.