Marxist Theory

Spring 2012 quarter

Faculty

Lawrence Mosqueda political economy, political science

Fields of Study

history, philosophy, political economy, political science and sociology

Preparatory for studies or careers in

social science and law, and education.

Description

"I am not a Marxist."
-Karl Marx

"The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles."
-Karl Marx

"Sit down and read. Educate yourself for the coming conflicts."
-Mary Harris (Mother) Jones

If one believes the current mass media, one would believe that Marxism is dead and that the "end of history" is upon us. As Mark Twain is reported to have said upon news accounts of his demise, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." The same, of course, is true for Marxist Theory.

Few Americans have read more than The Communist Manifesto , if that. Very few "educated" people have a clear understanding of Marx's concept of alienation, the dialectic, historical materialism, or his analysis of labor or revolutionary change.

In this course we will examine the development of Marx's thought and Marxist Theory. We will read and discuss some of Marx's early and later writings as well as writings of Lenin and others. We will also explore concrete examples of how "dialectics" and "materialism" can be applied to race and gender issues. At the end of the program, students should have a solid foundation for the further study of Marxist analysis.

Location

Olympia

Online Learning

No Required Online Learning

Books

Greener Store

Offered During

Day