Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3170: Marxism and Post-Structuralism

This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.

Module Aims

Term one: to present, and critically appraise Marx’s analysis of capitalism in within its philosophical context. To consider the continuing viability of that analysis in the light of subsequent developments in capitalism and bourgeois economic theory, the collapse of really existing communism in 1989, the resurgence of nationalism, globalisation and the financial crisis of 2008-9.
Term Two: to outline some recent and contemporary post-structuralist philosophical positions as they relate themselves to the Marxist inheritance

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. demonstrate a critical appreciation of a selection of readings from the major texts for the module, as appropriate;
2. demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to summarise and interpret Marx and Post-Marxian texts in politics;
3. demonstrate an ability to summarise and precis a specific relevant political theory or part, or developmental episode of the above;
4. demonstrate an ability to apply Marxian and Post-structural analyses to aspects of the contemporary world;
Discipline-Specific Skills5. identify and discuss the major political concepts and deploy them in appropriate circumstances;
6. engage in sympathetic interpretation and reasoned criticism of theories;
7. list, describe and evaluate different interpretations in the light of appropriate evidence;
8. use logic and reasoning to evaluate arguments;
9. apply abstract theoretical ideas and concepts to actual events and outcomes;
10. construct well-structured rigorous arguments based on logical deduction;
Personal and Key Skills11. demonstrate the ability to study independently and in groups, deliver presentations to peers, communicate effectively in speech and writing;
12. appropriately use ICT;
13. research & critically evaluate information;
14. apply techniques and theories in appropriate contexts;

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Marx’s emergence from Hegelian Idealism, the Critique of Religion. Classical Economics and the Labour Theory of Value, his Theory of History and the Economics, The Marginalist Revolution, and the Theory of Imperialism. Marxism-Leninism. Really existing communism and 1989, the character of Globalisation, the end of ideology? Contra-structural movements in social theory, Wittgenstein and the linguistic turn, Derrida and the sign, Lyotard and the end of the Grand Narrative. Assessment.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
44256

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and teaching activity 4422 weekly two-hour seminar classes
Guided Independent study256A variety of private study tasks directed by module leader.

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).