Studying at York
From Marx to Critical Theory - PHI00105H
- Department: Philosophy
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: H
- Academic year of delivery: 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 | Semester 1 2023-24 |
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.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
All feedback will be returned according to University and Departmental policy.
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