Explore Zoom: Australian History Culture and Geography

Koalas to Captain Cook: Exploring Australia
Two Zoom Sessions
Sat., Mar. 22, 29, 2025, 10 am-12 pm MT

The name Australia conveys many vivid images—the Outback, indigenous inhabitants, unique flora and fauna, European exploration and colonization—to name just a few. In this class, geography professor Judy Okun delves into both history and geography to clarify what makes Australia so unique. She explains that the continent was shaped by several unique factors, including its tectonics (which contributed to the evolution of iconic Australian marsupials like kangaroos and koalas), its mostly arid climate, a location that connects the southern Indian and Pacific Oceans, and human entry to the land beginning over 40,000 years ago. Okun then investigates how the last ice age affected the continent by extending the coastline, which facilitated human migration paths from distant lands such as Africa. Fast forward to the Age of Exploration, which was influenced by Aristotle's theories of the antipodes and the existence of a hidden Southern continent. This helped propel Dutch and British exploration of the continent. Okun also examines Captain James Cook’s landing on Australia’s east coast―an event that initiated the British claim on the continent. In addition, she explores current trends in population, ports, Australia’s diverse economy, natural resources, environmental challenges and international trade. The geopolitical challenges and opportunities that result from Australia’s proximity to China, the South China Sea and the Pacific Rim round out this course on this extraordinary place.

Judy Okun teaches geography at West Chester University (WCU) in Pennsylvania and leads history and geography workshops for teachers and adult groups around Philadelphia and the U.S. She holds master’s degrees in history and environmental conservation. In 2020 and 2024, Okun won WCU’s outstanding faculty award.