Philosophy
Current Students: Undergraduates
Core modules and Options at Level 9
PHI9V4 - Marx and Marxism
Karl Marx is capitalism’s most influential critic. He is the only philosopher whose name has been appropriated by political parties, and whose ideas have been enforced (perhaps in a distorted form) by totalitarian states. Marx’s ideas split the world into two camps for a century; this unit is an opportunity to examine and assess a political theory which changed the course of history.
The unit will explore Marx’s writings and their interpretation by contemporary Marxists. The focus will be on understanding the central Marxist arguments, and assessing their force. We shall ask whether the key concepts of alienation and exploitation can be used to show that capitalism is unjustifiable. This will involve looking at the related concepts of ideology and false consciousness, and at Marx’s claim that the human ‘species-being’ can only flourish in a life of unexploited, unalienated labour. In addition, we shall explore Marx’s controversial historical materialist theory of history, and the roles played in this theory by particular conceptions of economics and of revolution.
Outcomes
In this unit, students will gain an understanding both of Marx’s writings, and of the insights that Marxism offers for modern political philosophy and ethics. The unit also aims to improve students’ critical reading, analysis and communication through writing and group discussion.
Reading Material
Core texts :
| Karl Marx | Selected Writings, Second Edition, ed. by D. McLellan | Oxford UP, 2000 |
| Jonathan Wolff | Why Read Marx Today? | Oxford UP, 2003 |
We shall also use material from the following books (which will be placed in the RBR):
| Karl Marx | Capital | Penguin |
| Jon Elster | Marking Sense of Marx | Cambridge UP,1985 |
| G. A. Cohen | Karl Marx’s Theory of History: A Defence, Expanded Edition | Princeton UP, 2000 |
To get a flavour of some of the issues, prospective students might wish to begin by reading Karl Marx and Friederich Engels, The Communist Manifesto.
Availability: |
Honours (semester 4 or 6), 3 Year Degree and General Degree students. |
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Prerequisite: |
Any two of PHI911, PHI912 and PHI913 |
Assessment: |
Coursework: one required essay, 50%; final three-hour examination 50%. Students may choose to submit a second essay to improve their coursework grade. |
Teaching Pattern: |
Two one-hour lectures and one one-hour seminar each week. |
Regulations: |
For the purposes of the University's attendance regulation 14, seminars are prescribed classes . The rationale for prescribing these classes may be found in the Philosophy Student Handbook, section F. This section also contains regulations relating to the submission of essays, and other matters. |
Module Co-ordinator |
Rowan Cruft |
Please contact Rowan Cruft if you would like to know more about this module.