These courses, two of 16 sequential courses comprising phase one of a part-time Bachelor of Arts degree program in Australian Studies, examine the establishment and development of early Australian colonial society and introduce students to the problems of reconstructing the history of the penal colony period. They are designed for independent study combined with tutorial sessions. Chapter 1 of the first course is an introduction to the course and its study objectives. Chapter 2 examines origins of transportation of convicts. The topic of Chapter 3 is punishment and control. The fourth chapter covers protest and resistance; the fifth discusses the end of transportation. Chapter 6 examines the image of the convicts among the nonconvict population and the conclusion discusses the documents used in the course. Materials for two tutorial sessions are included. Chapter 1 of the second course is also an introduction. Chapter 2 explores the founding of Australia; Chapter 3 is concerned with how historians have interpreted and depicted the convicts who settled in Australia. The fourth chapter examines debate over how characteristics of the convicts influenced nationalism and the national character. The fifth discusses female convicts. The conclusion deals with historiography. Materials for two tutorial sessions are included. Both courses also include lists of recommended readings, additional readings, bibliographies, and self-assessment questions. (IS)