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From Marx to Critical Theory - PHI00105H

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  • Department: Philosophy
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Owen Hulatt
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

The module aims to introduce students to key debates, positions, and arguments in what has come to be known as "Western Marxism" and "Critical Theory".

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2021-22

Module aims

This module aims to: 1) introduce students to key debates, positions, and arguments in what has come to be known as “Western Marxism” and “Critical Theory”; 2) to give a historical overview of the development of these debates, positions, and arguments; 3) to enable students to develop their skills in critical analysis, argument, and communication.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students should have an in-depth and systematic understanding of some of the key debates, historical sources, and arguments in the development of ‘Western Marxism’.

They should also be able to:

• analyse complex areas of knowledge, displaying critical awareness

• synthesize information and ideas from a variety of sources, both historical and at the forefront of the discipline

• evaluate research critically

• show originality in the discussion and evaluation of ideas from the philosophical literature in developing their own arguments

Module content

This module will introduce students to key debates, positions, and arguments in what has come to be known as “Western Marxism” and “Critical Theory” as well as give a historical overview of the development of these debates, positions, and arguments. Topics consider will include all or some of the following; commodity fetishism; reification; immanent critique; dialectics; post-Kantian influences on these concepts; “critical” as opposed to “traditional” theory.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay 4000 words		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

  • The formative Essay Plan should be submitted on Wednesday, Week 6 of the Spring Term.
  • The summative Essay is due by 12 noon on Monday, Week 2 of Summer Term (or on Tuesday if Monday is a Bank Holiday).

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay 4000 words		 N/A 100

Module feedback

  • Oral feedback will be given on the Essay Plan within no more than 2 weeks of submission.
  • Students will receive feedback on their summative work within 4 weeks of submission.

Indicative reading

The following list is indicative:

Marx, K. Capital: Volume One.

Lukacs, G Reification and Class Consciousness

Sohn-Rethel, A. Intellectual and Manual Labour

Horkheimer, M & Theodor Adorno Dialectic of Enlightenment

Adorno, T Negative Dialectics


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.