Students
POIX2060 – Modern Political Thought
2025 – Session 2, Online-flexible
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ian Tregenza
Govand Azeez
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above OR (10cp in POL or POIR or POIX units)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
What are the limits of the legitimate use of force by political authorities? How should the power of government be limited? When is a government or political regime legitimate? These and related questions have been the subject of a continuous debate in political theory since the sixteenth century. This unit examines the various theories of human rights and of social contract as well as theories which reject the liberal/democratic approach to the question of legitimacy. Among the authors to be read are Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, Burke, Marx, Rawls, Schmitt, and Foucault. All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au |
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: Identify arguments for and against the need to consent to the exercise of political power.
- ULO2: Understand key concepts which are deployed in the debate on political legitimacy
- ULO3: Apply concepts to the analysis of political phenomena
- ULO4: Read and critically interpret some classic and contemporary political texts
General Assessment Information
Late Assessment Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.
This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literature Review number 2 | 20% | No | 22/08/2025 |
| Essay | 40% | No | 03/10/2025 |
| Test | 40% | No | Week 13 |
Literature Review number 2
Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 22/08/2025
Weighting: 20%
Short paper based on one or more of the unit readings
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify arguments for and against the need to consent to the exercise of political power.
- Understand key concepts which are deployed in the debate on political legitimacy
- Read and critically interpret some classic and contemporary political texts
Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 03/10/2025
Weighting: 40%
2500 word essay
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify arguments for and against the need to consent to the exercise of political power.
- Understand key concepts which are deployed in the debate on political legitimacy
- Apply concepts to the analysis of political phenomena
- Read and critically interpret some classic and contemporary political texts
Test
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
2 hour online test to be completed via ilearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify arguments for and against the need to consent to the exercise of political power.
- Understand key concepts which are deployed in the debate on political legitimacy
- Apply concepts to the analysis of political phenomena
- Read and critically interpret some classic and contemporary political texts
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Lectures: Tuesdays 11am-1pm. O1CC 114 Group learning space
Lectures will be recorded and available on ilearn.
Tutorial: Tuesdays 2-3pm. O8SCO 114 tutorial room
Discussion Forum available for external students and OUA students.
Weekly readings available through ilearn.
Unit Schedule
Unit Schedule
Weekly Topics:
Week 1. Introduction. Power, Legitimacy and the Modern State
Week 2. The Social Contract: Thomas Hobbes and John Locke
Week 3. Defending Modern Liberty: Benjamin Constant contra Rousseau
Week 4. Liberty and Representative Government: J.S. Mill
Week 5. Political Liberalism: John Rawls
Week 6. Has Liberalism Failed? Patrick Deneen and Critics
Week 7. Spinoza
Week 8. Reading Week.
Week 9. Hegel
Week 10. Marx
Week 11. David Graeber
Week 12. Alain Badiou
Week 13. Online Test
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Academic Success
Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
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.
Unit information based on version 2025.02 of the Handbook