Students

MHIX2203 – Despots and Democracy

2026 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Keith Rathbone
keith.rathbone@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit explores the dynamic and often turbulent relationship between autocracy and democratic governance across the 19th and 20th centuries. From the rise of nationalist despots and imperial rulers to the emergence and evolution of modern democratic states, students will examine how different regimes consolidated power, legitimized authority, and responded to social and political movements challenging their rule. Through comparative and thematic Through comparative and thematic approaches, students will analyze the role of ideology, violence, propaganda, revolution, and resistance in shaping political life. The unit will also investigate the global forces—industrialization, imperialism, war, decolonization, and globalization—that influenced transitions between despotism and democracy.
 

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: Compare and evaluate different political systems and their responses to movements for reform, revolution, and resistance.
  • ULO2: Engage with and interpret major historiographical debates, related to despotism, democracy, and political transitions in modern history.
  • ULO3: Critically analyse primary and secondary historical sources to assess how power is constructed, maintained, and contested.
  • ULO4: Construct and communicate a well-supported historical argument in written form, demonstrating analytical thinking, source evaluation, and coherent structure.

General Assessment Information

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 written reports and recordings only. 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.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Annotated Bibliography 30% No 13/03/2026 Individual No Open AI
Research Essay 45% No 15/05/2026 Individual No Open AI
Presentation 25% No 05/06/2026 Individual No Observed

Annotated Bibliography

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 13/03/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open AI

In the proposal and bibliography assessment students must design a research essay question focusing on any topic in 19th and 20th century history that centres on the question of democracy and despotism. Students should provide the question and an explanation of their topic that includes a bibliography of at least five strong secondary sources that supports their research project.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Compare and evaluate different political systems and their responses to movements for reform, revolution, and resistance.
  • Critically analyse primary and secondary historical sources to assess how power is constructed, maintained, and contested.

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 15/05/2026
Weighting: 45%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open AI

In the final essay assessment, students will write an original research paper based on their first assessment with an emphasis on making historical interpretations.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Compare and evaluate different political systems and their responses to movements for reform, revolution, and resistance.
  • Engage with and interpret major historiographical debates, related to despotism, democracy, and political transitions in modern history.
  • Critically analyse primary and secondary historical sources to assess how power is constructed, maintained, and contested.
  • Construct and communicate a well-supported historical argument in written form, demonstrating analytical thinking, source evaluation, and coherent structure.

Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 05/06/2026
Weighting: 25%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

In the oral presentation, students will share your research paper’s thesis and arguments in support of it in an oral format. Students will also respond to questions about the process of developing research projects and reflect critically on the knowledge and skills developed in their study of history. Students can use visual aids. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Compare and evaluate different political systems and their responses to movements for reform, revolution, and resistance.
  • Engage with and interpret major historiographical debates, related to despotism, democracy, and political transitions in modern history.
  • Critically analyse primary and secondary historical sources to assess how power is constructed, maintained, and contested.
  • Construct and communicate a well-supported historical argument in written form, demonstrating analytical thinking, source evaluation, and coherent structure.

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
  • Academic Success 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

There is no text book for this unit. All essential readings will be provided. Students will need to conduct some of their own research online and/ or in the library to complete assessment tasks. External and OUA students will be able to complete all tasks off campus.

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.

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.

Unit information based on version 2026.03 of the Handbook