POL 326 - Capitalism and Its Critics

What is the relationship between politics and economics? The course addresses this question in four parts. Its first part examines major systems of thought in relation to the historical development of capitalism. We will read the canon from Adam Smith to J.M. Keynes. The second part considers more recent writings, with a focus on the many (policy) issues that frame contemporary economic discourse such as value and profit, unemployment and the business cycle, competition, and investment. In part three, we will consider gender, race, and ecological critiques of capitalism. We will conclude by delving deeper into some of the “hot” topics in political economy today: oil and climate change, globalization and trade, and the politics of welfare. Throughout the course we will take up the following questions: Are we in an economic crisis? If so, what caused it? Where does unemployment come from? What role should the government play in the economy? Does welfare help or hurt the poor? Can poverty and inequality be eradicated? What alternatives exist to capitalism? This is a survey course and accessible to all majors and does not require previous knowledge of economics or politics.

Unit(s): 1
Group Distribution Requirement(s): Distribution Group II
Prerequisite(s): HUM 110
Instructional Method: Conference
Grading Mode: Letter grading (A-F)
Group Distribution Learning Outcome(s):

Evaluate data and/or sources;
Analyze institutions, formations, languages, structures, or processes, whether social, political, religious, economic, cultural, intellectual or other;
Think in sophisticated ways about causation, social and/or historical change, human cognition, or the relationship between individuals and society, or engage with social, political, religious or economic theory in other areas.