Marx and Economic Interpretations/Materialism - Reading: The Penguin Dictionary of Critical Theory, entries: Marxism; Western Marxism; historical materialism; history from below; base/superstructure; ideology; alienation; commodity fetishism; dialectic; dialectical materialism; contradiction; Thompson, Edward P. - Reading: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, “Manifesto of the Communist Party” Short Reflection Papers: (5% each/50 points; 15% of grade/150 points) You will be required to write three short papers during this course; each paper should be 500-750 words. You should summarize the major points of the readings in question and analyze their usefulness to historical interpretation. This involves answering the following questions: What key ideas does this social theory provide to historians? How might the social theory in question direct a historian’s sense of historical significance or evidence and interpretation? In responding to these questions, you should cite and explain significant points in the text. Papers will be graded on a fifty-point scale. Late assignments will NOT be accepted under any condition. Papers should be typed & double-spaced and should use correct citation format. Submit a hard copy and an electronic copy to the Dropbox on Beachboard. See the course schedule for due dates.
How does Marx and Engels’ worldview depend upon the era of history in which they lived? What about their argument depends upon historical information? How does it present history? What elements still hold true from our modern historical perspective, and which might not? What parts of their contemporary culture are they reacting to?
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