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Module Content:

This third year Undergraduate and Masters course will cover theoretical anthropological approaches to the study of capitalism, from early accounts of the market versus other economic forms, to recent works on salvage economies and forms of financialisation. Drawing on thinkers such as Gibson-Graham, Laura Bear, Anna Tsing, Andrea Muehlebach and Evans and Reid, it will critically engage with ideas about neoliberalism, diverse (or alternative) economies, nepotism, austerity, performativity and prefiguration, and the way in which ‘capitalocentrism’ obfuscates space for critical thought.

Indicative Topics:

This course will explore a range of current issues that examine the social implications and reception of new forms of debt and credit, different kinds of ownership and changing roles of the sovereign, neoliberal subjectivities, the shaping of economic ideologies, and those living in a climate of economic, political, or public health crisis, or post-truth politics.

Indicative Teaching Delivery:

For Undergraduates this course will consist of 8 lectures and 8 seminars.

For Postgraduates it consists of 8 two-hour seminars.

Within these, lecturers may use power points with links to audio-visual and films where applicable. Students are required to read at least the core readings for each session, and additional readings if they wish, and will be expected to comment and critically engage in seminars on an ad hoc basis. If they do not contribute to seminar discussion, they will be actively asked to do so. Lecturers will not share lecture notes, but power point presentations may be shared, if required through moodle.

This module has historically been popular. If you try to register on this module, we would advise exploring additional options, just in case. Enrolment on this module is restricted to students on specific programmes of study or to those who have already completed specific modules, as detailed in the Module Restrictions below. You will not be able to join the module if you do not meet these criteria.

Learning Outcomes

Undergraduate Level 6

By the end of the module, you should be able to:

1. Have the skills needed for critical thinking about many current aspects of the global economy.

2. Have knowledge about the history of economic anthropology.

3. Be able to write about current economic policies and their social implications, across cultures, classes and different groups.

4. Have critical insight into the way anthropological theory can inform current concerns, and develop an appreciation of the way uncertainty underpins many economic policies.

5. Be able to verbally summarise and critique academic articles and writing with reference to a body of knowledge and ethnographic insight.

6. Further develop an ability to manage and structure your own learning.

Additional Information:

This course is assessed through ONE written essay of 2,500 words. The readings for topics will be listed on the online reading list and will mostly be available online, however, some longer readings such as books may have to be accessed physically in the library. The course co-ordinator will share a list of essay questions and lecturers will discuss essay plans ONLY once in a group session. Essays may cover more than one topic and may even span topics addressed in other courses.

Active critical engagement with the topics and the readings is required for the seminars and we encourage you to bring your own experiences and insights to the theoretical questions posed in the course.

This course aims to cover a plurality of perspectives and concerns that affect us all and is not simply a critique of what might be termed ‘capitalism’ or ‘neoliberalism’. Rather, it aims to unpack policies and practices and examine their implications and reception for diverse groups and peoples.