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Academic Year 2004/2005

Marxian Political Economy: Understanding Capitalism
ECON 250 SP

This is a careful reading of Karl Marx's Capital: A Critical Analysis of Capitalist Production, volume I. Marxian political economy and Marxian philosophy are critically examined to develop an analysis and understanding of contemporary social life and "lay bare the economic law of motion of modern society." An evaluation will be made of the categories Marx employs to understand capitalism as a dynamic economic system, including the Marx's acknowledgement of the triumphs of capitalist growth and technological innovation, along with the necessity of unemployment and periodic crisis that have plagued the capitalist economic system. The social, political, and ethical implications will be debated and discussed. An analysis and comparison of the virtues and vices of Marxian Political Economy and those of mainstream micro/macro economies will be made.

MAJOR READINGS

K. Marx, CAPITAL, Vol. I, Viking Penguin, 1992, paperback
R. Wolff/R. Resnick, ECONOMICS: MARXIAN VERSUS NEOCLASSICAL, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1987, paperback
R. Bhaskar, A REALIST THEORY OF SCIENCE, Verso, 1997, paperback

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

To be announced.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS ECON    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: ECON101 OR ECON110 Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005

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