Marx developed an understanding of how capitalism works as a guide to political action. He analysed the relationships between economic and political power, class and inequality, accumulation and globalisation, exploitation and oppression, struggle and social change­issues that are still relevant, despite changes in technologies and the details of capitalist organisation of production (whose dynamics he considered).

Through the course we develop our understanding of key Marxist concepts and their application to current problems. In seminars we discuss important Marxist texts, mainly by Marx and Engels, their historical context and contemporary relevance. Lectures provide background to these texts.

Develop participants' understanding of key Marxist concepts and their application to current problems.

Seminar introduction paper (1000 words) (10 - 20 %), Course Diary (35 - 45%), Research Essay (3,000 words) (45 - 55%)

1 x two hour seminar and one lecture a week.

Two first-year courses in Political Science, or Sociology, or Anthropology, or Philosophy, or History, or with the permission of the lecturer

Callinicos, A. The revolutionary ideas of Karl Marx, Bookmarks, 1995.