Students

ABST3040 – Colonialism, Capitalism and Nationalism

2026 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Madi Day
madi.day@mq.edu.au
Sarah Graham
s.graham@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 2000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides an overview and critical analysis of Indigenous–settler politics in Australia. Students will develop a nuanced, critically-informed understanding of settler colonialism as a political structure, and explore how it manifests through both policy and institutional cultures in Australia. The unit then turns to practices of decolonisation, unpacking the role of political protests, land claims and non-Indigenous allies in moving towards justice in the context of settler colonialism. It closes by exploring ‘Indigenous futurisms’—how Indigenous people are already both imagining and practicing a decolonised Australia—including through digital media, queer identities, and science fiction.

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: Demonstrate an understanding of settler colonialism as a political structure, and explore how it manifests through both policy and institutional cultures in Australia
  • ULO2: Demonstrate knowledge and scholarly understanding of practices of decolonisation
  • ULO3: Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the role of political protests, land claims and non-Indigenous allies in moving towards justice in the context of settler colonialism
  • ULO4: Demonstrate ability to produce effective critically engaged arguments through rigorous engagement with academic resources 
  • ULO5: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how Indigenous people are already both imagining and practicing a decolonised Australia—including through digital media, queer identities, and science fiction.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Content Quizzes 30% No Week 5, 9, 13 Individual No Open AI
Minor Essay 30% No 19 April 2026 by 11.59pm Individual No Open AI
Major Essay 40% No 14 June 2026 by 11.59pm Individual No Open AI

Content Quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 5, 9, 13
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

Students will complete 3x quizzes (10% each) with 12 questions on the relevant theme, opening the week following the last week on that theme (weeks 5, 9, 13)
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of settler colonialism as a political structure, and explore how it manifests through both policy and institutional cultures in Australia
  • Demonstrate knowledge and scholarly understanding of practices of decolonisation
  • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the role of political protests, land claims and non-Indigenous allies in moving towards justice in the context of settler colonialism
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how Indigenous people are already both imagining and practicing a decolonised Australia—including through digital media, queer identities, and science fiction.

Minor Essay

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 19 April 2026 by 11.59pm
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

Students will complete a minor 1500 word essay on settler colonialism. Students must articulate what constitutes settler colonialism and then discuss how it manifests in concrete ways in Australia (policy eras, income management, education, health).
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of settler colonialism as a political structure, and explore how it manifests through both policy and institutional cultures in Australia
  • Demonstrate knowledge and scholarly understanding of practices of decolonisation
  • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the role of political protests, land claims and non-Indigenous allies in moving towards justice in the context of settler colonialism
  • Demonstrate ability to produce effective critically engaged arguments through rigorous engagement with academic resources 

Major Essay

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 14 June 2026 by 11.59pm
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

Students will complete a 2500 word essay.  Questions will be provided on the iLearn site, but will focus on either decolonisation or Indigenous futures.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of settler colonialism as a political structure, and explore how it manifests through both policy and institutional cultures in Australia
  • Demonstrate knowledge and scholarly understanding of practices of decolonisation
  • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the role of political protests, land claims and non-Indigenous allies in moving towards justice in the context of settler colonialism
  • Demonstrate ability to produce effective critically engaged arguments through rigorous engagement with academic resources 
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how Indigenous people are already both imagining and practicing a decolonised Australia—including through digital media, queer identities, and science fiction.

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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Access to lectures and weekly material can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. 

The library provides study skills support. Information about library resources and study skills is available at: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study

PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g. internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement.

Please consult teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements.

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:

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.

Late 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 to latesubmissions, up until the 7th calendar 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. 

Important to note:

·         Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs) will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.

·         Students should not request an informal arrangement from their tutor, lecturer or Unit Convenor (or equivalent).

·         Where an application for Special Consideration is approved and the outcome is an extension to the due date of a task, submissions that are received after the new due date will be subject to late penalties that are calculated from the new due date. This only applies where the outcome is an extension to the due date – see the Special Consideration Policy for a schedule of all possible outcomes.

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.

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:

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.

Changes from Previous Offering

This unit is transitioning to a new title and content and may have some variations in assessment from previous offerings.

Unit information based on version 2026.04 of the Handbook