Full course description
Learn how the values and nation-building approaches of Australia’s most popular prime minister apply to contemporary diplomacy and leadership challenges.
This Curtin Credential explores the legacy of one of Australia’s greatest prime ministers through the lens of contemporary challenges and opportunities. It examines John Curtin's approach to nation-building and achieving change through effective leadership, and how the history, philosophy and values of Curtin offer new approaches to current issues.
The course will bring to life the history, philosophy and values of John Curtin that can contribute to institutional, national and global diplomacy and leadership. Informed by the fields of history, sociology, politics and international relations, the modules provide real-world applications of the lessons gained from specific case studies.
This credential is particularly suitable for:
- Professionals working across the private and public sectors, including education/training (for example, HASS educators), non-profit organisations and all levels of government.
- Students and educators studying Australian history, especially World War II and political history.
- Historians and researchers focusing on Australia's wartime leadership and political developments.
- People interested in Australian national heritage, leadership, and the evolution of Australia's foreign and defense policies.
- Labor movement enthusiasts, given Curtin's deep involvement in labor unions and socialist politics.
- Visitors to Curtin University or those engaging with resources at the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library.
By completing this credential you will learn to:
- Explore the history, intent, and challenges of John Curtin's contribution to Australia
- Consider the influence of John Curtin on contemporary Australia
- Delve into historical materials and their relevance to current issues.
Key Topics
Your learning journey includes access to 3 online modules.
Module 1 – John Curtin in today's Australia
Module 2 – Global Diplomacy and Wartime Leadership
Module 3 – Policy, Criticisms and Challenges of Volatility
Assessment
You can enrol in this FREE credential without completing an assessment.
If you’d like to earn 5 credits, you’ll need to pay a fee and complete an assignment. Once enrolled in this credential, you’ll have the option to register for the assessment component if you choose.
Expert Historian
School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry
André is a lecturer in History, in Curtin’s School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry. He is a historian of Australia, New Zealand and British imperialism, with emphasis on political, environmental, economic and transport themes. André’s publications include four books and more than 20 articles and book chapters, as well as contributions to television documentaries, museum exhibitions and other outputs. He has received numerous recognitions for his research, including the Max Crawford Medal from the Australian Academy of the Humanities (2021) and prizes from the Australian Historical Association, the Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, the International Australian Studies Association and other organisations.
Expert Librarian/Archivist
Special Collections Librarian/Archivist, John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library
Nathan is Curtin University’s special collections librarian / archivist, based at the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library. In this role, Nathan is part of the team looking after a huge collection relating to John Curtin and telling John Curtin’s story. In his spare time, Nathan is a biographer, completing a doctorate on the life of the writer and activist, Katharine Susannah Prichard. He expanded his thesis into the book The Red Witch: A biography of Katharine Susannah Prichard (Miegunyah Press, 2022), which won the 2023 WA Premier’s Award for Book of the Year.
Once you successfully complete this credential, you'll earn a digital badge that is instantly shareable to your social networks (including LinkedIn) which showcases your new skills and knowledge mastery.
This digital badge provides foundation knowledge in a discipline and doesn't require previous knowledge.
If you choose to complete the assessment component of this credential, upon successful completion you can also earn 5 credit points and an Essentials digital badge which are in line with Australian Qualification Framework Level 8 criteria, ensuring comprehensive theoretical and/or technical knowledge of the credential. 100 credit points are required to earn a Graduate Certificate at Curtin.
Curtin Credentials focus on five themes, which have been carefully curated based on what's most relevant and valuable to professionals today, and in the future. This credential fits within the following theme:
Develop positive, sustainable, resilient and inclusive traits to guide your life, career, and organisational directions. Learn what it takes to motivate and inspire in a contemporary business setting.
Learn skills and strategies to make effective change in your workplace and become a persuasive thought leader in your career.
For more information on this, or any other questions about Curtin Credentials, email us at curtincredentials@curtin.edu.au or call Curtin Connect at 1300 222 888.
*Curtin may cancel or reschedule a credential at any time and for any reason as it sees fit. The Start Date and the other details of this credentials are provided as a general guide only and may change from time to time.
#This credential involves up to 20 hours of online resources, readings and activities. You may require further time to complete this credential.
^Learning is done completely online.
§Price subject to change. Please check price at time of purchase.
Start: 1 October 2025*
Duration: 20 hours#
Delivery Mode: Online^
Price: Free§
Print Version: Coming soon