PO3MAR-Karl Marx
Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: PO2MAR Karl Marx
Current from: 2021/2
Module Convenor: Prof Alan Cromartie
Email: a.d.t.cromartie@reading.ac.uk
Type of module:
Summary module description:
This module examines the thought of Karl Marx, the greatest social theorist of the last two centuries. It is a text-based course that focuses on excerpts from Marx’s major writings – in other words, we look at the words on the page to see what Marx actually said.
Particular attention is paid to his ideas about alienation, ideology, exploitation, and revolution, but you will emerge with a general understanding of the Marxist interpretation of history and its possible political implications. The approach that is adopted is sympathetic to Marx, but students from all political backgrounds are welcome and vigorous dissent is encouraged; the course pays particular attention to those features of thinking that seem to have continuing political importance, but it also explains the reasons for his vulnerability to liberal and conservative criticism.
There is no examination, but the module will conclude with a Long Essay requiring detailed knowledge of all aspects of the course.
Aims:
This module aims to introduce students to all aspects of the thinking of Karl Marx, including his views on history, politics, and economics.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module, a student should be able to:
- explain the most important Marxist doctrines both in the context of Marx’s own writings and later Marxist thought;
- relate them to Marx’s intellectual background and his historical context;
- relate his claims to fundamental problems within social and political theory;
- assess their relevance or otherwise to twenty-first century circumstances.
Additional outcomes:
This is a text-based module whose main activity will be collective reading of some demanding texts. It thus aims to develop the capacity for independent study, both individually and as part of a team; the capacity to think critically about political problems and theories and to be sensitive to the complexities and ambiguities of difficult texts; the skill of presenting the findings of such study and critical thought in group and individual presentations; and to contribute to oral discussions.
Outline content:
The lectures will supply essential background information about Marx’s biography, the politics of nineteenth-century Europe, the philosophy of Hegel, and the nature of economics. The classes will work through materials in the text-book: Karl Marx, Selected writings, ed.David McLellan, Second edition (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000).
Global context:
The module has some bearing on current political problems in every modern polity and culture. It prompts consideration of (neo)colonialism, the nature of exploitation, the desirability or otherwise of revolution, and the sustainability of capitalist arrangements.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Nine one hour lectures and nine one hour seminars.
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
| Lectures | 5 | 6 | |
| Seminars | 5 | 4 | |
| Guided independent study: | |||
| Wider reading (independent) | 15 | 15 | |
| Wider reading (directed) | 10 | 10 | |
| Advance preparation for classes | 10 | 10 | |
| Preparation for seminars | 10 | 10 | |
| Completion of formative assessment tasks | 5 | ||
| Essay preparation | 30 | 35 | |
| Reflection | 10 | 10 | |
| Total hours by term | 100 | 100 | 0 |
| Total hours for module | 200 |
| Method | Percentage |
| Written assignment including essay | 100 |
Summative assessment- Examinations:
Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Gobbet exercise (1,250 words) First Week of Spring (worth 20% of the module)
Gobbet exercise (1,250 words) Last week of Spring (worth 20% of the module)
Long Essay (4,000 words) Third week of Summer (worth 60% of the module)
Formative assessment methods:
Oral Presentation and discussion
Penalties for late submission:
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%
Reassessment arrangements:
Candidates who fail their final year normally have the right to be re-examined on one further occasion at the next opportunity. These candidates will not normally be eligible for Honours (ie., only a ‘Pass’ classification would be attainable). Students who are eligible for re-assessment have the right to re-assessment in all elements even if they have previously passed one of those elements. It is expected, however, that the majority of students would probably elect not to repeat an element in which they had already passed, in which case the confirmed marks would be carried forward.
Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted within the specified resubmission period via Blackboard.
Examination: Re-examination takes place in August of the same year.
Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
Required textbooks: Karl Marx, Selected writings, ed. David McLellan, second edn (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2000) £35
Last updated: 8 April 2021
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.