Students

INTS1201 – Cultural Influence and Power

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor - Lecturer
Patricia Koromvokis
Contact via By email
Wednesday, 9:30am – 10:30am
Convenor - Lecturer
Sung-Ae Lee
Contact via By email
25WW C339
By appointment
Lecturer
Tom Baudinette
Lecture
Sung-Ae Lee
Lecturer
Francesco Stolfi
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Who decides what counts as “normal,” “right,” or “true”? This unit explores how knowledge and influence are constructed and circulated across cultural, historical, and institutional settings. Students examine the role of language, norms, and identity in shaping how societies understand truth, authority, and legitimacy. Drawing on interdisciplinary approaches, the unit introduces key concepts on the cultural and communicative dimensions of power. Case studies from different regions and sectors illustrate how governments, media, and communities use symbols, stories, and strategies to shape public perception, and how individuals and groups resist or reframe dominant narratives. Students reflect on their own role within systems of influence and begin to build the cultural intelligence needed to collaborate across difference. By analysing how power is acquired, maintained, and contested, the unit provides a foundation for understanding leadership, communication, and change-making in a complex world.

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: Analyse how cultural narratives, artefacts, and symbols shape power dynamics in local and global contexts.
  • ULO2: Evaluate the impact of historical and contemporary power structures on leadership and influence in cross-cultural settings.
  • ULO3: Apply systems thinking to map the interplay between cultural identity and authority in real-world scenarios.
  • ULO4: Communicate insights about cultural power relations using digital storytelling for professional audiences.

General Assessment Information

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS  

  • All text-based assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically.  This will only happen through the unit iLearn site.   

  • Assessment tasks must be submitted as a MS word document by the due date.  

  • Most assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process.  

  • The granting of extensions is subject to the university’s Special Consideration Policy. Extensions will not be granted by unit conveners or tutors, but must be lodged through Special Consideration: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration  

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS  

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. 

REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER  

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Ongoing Reflective Task 20% No 15/3/26 , 29/3/26 , 26/4/26 , 10/5/26 , 24/5/26 (11:55pm) Individual No Open
Analytic Report 35% No Sunday, 3 May (11:55pm) Individual No Open
Digital storytelling project 45% No Sunday, 7 June (11:55pm) Individual and Group No Open

Ongoing Reflective Task

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 15/3/26 , 29/3/26 , 26/4/26 , 10/5/26 , 24/5/26 (11:55pm)
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Reflect on the concepts of culture, power and influence based on readings, lectures, tutorial activities and guest talks


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse how cultural narratives, artefacts, and symbols shape power dynamics in local and global contexts.
  • Evaluate the impact of historical and contemporary power structures on leadership and influence in cross-cultural settings.
  • Apply systems thinking to map the interplay between cultural identity and authority in real-world scenarios.

Analytic Report

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Sunday, 3 May (11:55pm)
Weighting: 35%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Examine a case study from the options on iLearn, applying systems thinking to map how cultural power is created and circulated. Draw on your ongoing reflective task and reflect on how tutorial activities informed your analytical approach.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse how cultural narratives, artefacts, and symbols shape power dynamics in local and global contexts.
  • Evaluate the impact of historical and contemporary power structures on leadership and influence in cross-cultural settings.
  • Apply systems thinking to map the interplay between cultural identity and authority in real-world scenarios.

Digital storytelling project

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Sunday, 7 June (11:55pm)
Weighting: 45%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Create a digital story (e.g., video series, podcast, blog) communicating insights about cultural power to a professional audience.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse how cultural narratives, artefacts, and symbols shape power dynamics in local and global contexts.
  • Evaluate the impact of historical and contemporary power structures on leadership and influence in cross-cultural settings.
  • Communicate insights about cultural power relations using digital storytelling for professional audiences.

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

 

CLASSES

  • Lectures: Wednesday, 1pm–3pm (14SCO Theatre) Weekly lectures will be recorded and made available in Echo360 within 48 hours of the scheduled class time.
  • Tutorials: Please refer to your timetable for tutorial allocations.

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS  

  • You should spend an average of 12 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to lectures prior to seminar or tutorial, reading weekly required materials as detailed in iLearn, participating in Ilearn discussion forums and preparing assessments.  

  • Internal students are expected to attend all seminar or tutorial sessions, and external students are expected to make significant contributions to on-line activities.  

  • In most cases students are required to attempt and submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.  

REQUIRED READINGS  

  • The citations for all the required readings for this unit are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site, and at Macquarie University's library site.  Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed through the library or will be made available by other means.  

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED  

  • Computer and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement.  

  • This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/  

  • Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.  

  • Information about IT used at Macquarie University is available at  http://students.mq.edu.au/it_services/  

Unit Schedule

WEEKS

DATES

WEEKLY FOCUS

LECTURER

Week 1

23/02/26 – 01/03/26

Culture is a system of meanings (what?)

Dr. Patricia Koromvokis

Week 2

02/03/26 – 08/03/26

Power is a system of relationships and meanings (how they interact?)

Dr. Patricia Koromvokis

Week 3

09/03/26 – 15/03/26

Institutions structure these relationships and enforce meanings (structural mechanism)

Dr. Francesco Stolfi

Week 4

16/03/26 – 22/03/26

Language is the primary medium through which meanings are created and contested (communicative mechanism)

Dr. Sung-Ae Lee

Week 5

23/03/26 – 29/03/26

How global power hierarchies structure cultural flows? (macro)

Dr. Thomas Baudinette

Week 6

30/03/26 – 02/04/26

How states mobilize soft power strategically? (national)

Dr. Thomas Baudinette

RECESS

06/04/26 – 19/04/26

Week 7

20/04/26 – 26/04/26

How nation branding projects identity globally? (international)

Dr. Thomas Baudinette

Week 8

27/04/26 – 03/05/26

How power operates in everyday spaces you inhabit? (local)

Dr. Sung-Ae Lee

Week 9

04/05/26 – 10/05/26

How people resist dominant narratives (reactive agency)?

Dr. Sung-Ae Lee

Week 10

11/05/26 – 17/05/26

How people create new cultural movements (proactive agency)?

Dr. Francesco Stolfi

Week 11

18/05/26 – 24/05/26

How you navigate and contribute to systems of influence (personal agency)?

Dr. Patricia Koromvokis

Week 12

25/05/26 – 31/05/26

Communicating your insights effectively (demonstrating learning)?

Dr. Francesco Stolfi

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 2026.04 of the Handbook