Students

POIR2770 – Revolutions

2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ian Tregenza
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above OR (10cp in HIST or MHIS or POL or POIR or MHIX or POIX units)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Political revolutions have shaped the modern world. While there is broad agreement on this claim, scholars are divided on the causes, consequences, and lasting legacies of the major historical revolutions. This unit will examine political revolutions from the seventeenth century to the present, including the English, American, French, Russian, Chinese, and Iranian revolutions. It will consider the competing economic, technological and ideological explanations of these revolutions as well as those emphasising the role of key leaders, parties and political movements. Classic theorists of revolution such as Marx, Tocqueville, Lenin and Arendt will be examined alongside a rich body of current scholarship. On completion of the unit students will gain a deeper understanding of comparative political history, as well as an appreciation of the ongoing legacy of revolution for contemporary global and domestic politics.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Differentiate between the types of revolution that have occurred through history in different parts of the world
  • ULO2: Identify the major theories of revolution and assess their strengths and weaknesses
  • ULO3: Understand some of the key explanatory factors in accounting for political revolutions, including questions of agency, organisation, structural change, and ideology
  • ULO4: Identify the ongoing legacies of major revolutions for contemporary politics.

Assessment Tasks

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Delivery and Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.

Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

Weekly lectures: Wednesday, 10am-12pm, 4 Western Road, Room 220.

Unit readings will be available through Leganto on the ilearn site.

Unit Schedule

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

Week 1. Revolutions - Introduction

Week 2. Modernity and Revolution

Week 3. Revolutionary England – 1640-1688

Week 4. The American Revolution, 1776-1783

Week 5. The French Revolution I – 1789-1799.

Week 6. The French Revolution II – Meaning and Legacy

Week 7. Reading Week

Week 8. The Bolshevik Revolution - Russia 1917

Week 9. Revolution in China: 1911, 1949, and 1966

Week 10. The Islamic Revolution - Iran 1977-79

Week 11. 1989 – 1991: Undoing communism in the U.S.S.R. and Eastern Europe

Week 12. Revolution in the 21st Century

Week 13. Class Test

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

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When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

Due to a new convener the unit content has been substantially modified.