Module SGIA2401: Capitalism: History and Theory

Department: Government and International Affairs

SGIA2401: Capitalism: History and Theory

Prerequisites

• At least one level 1 SGIA module

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• This module aims to provide students with broad and detailed knowledge of capitalism from a political economy perspective;
• The module will explore academic debates surrounding the ideas, concepts and historical context of the emergence and development of capitalism;
• This module will examine the theories and history of capitalism’s origin and development through an interdisciplinary political economy perspective.

Content

• This module will introduce students to the key debates within the field of political economy on the emergence and development of capitalism utilising a thematic approach linked to phases of capitalist development from the 17th Century to the present day;
• The module will also explore the key theoretical debates within political economy on the origins and nature of capitalism. Students will explore these theories in seminars structured around core thinkers.

Learning Outcomes

• Through the module students will gain an understanding of:
• The historical development of capitalism, from its agrarian origins in early modern Europe to the present;
• How capitalist development has shaped and been shaped by key events in world history;
• The core political economy theories of capitalism’s emergence and functioning, exploring a range of thinkers influential in political economy throughout the period;
• The close interconnection between transformations in capitalism and changing political economy ideas.

• Critically explore the historical specificity of capitalism through an examination of its emergence and evolution;
• Analyse and evaluate political economy debates on the origins of capitalism and its trajectory of development using a variety of techniques;
• Critically assess primary texts of political economy theory and identify competing perspectives on the nature of capitalism.
• Analyse and evaluate primary texts from core thinkers on the subject of capitalism, as well as critically analyse the interrelation between historical change and social science theory.

• Develop an independent and critical approach to learning;
• Advanced ability to search for and utilise relevant sources of data in relation to a range of problems or questions;
• Advanced skills in essay-writing, oral presentation, and working to deadlines;
• Ability to evaluate rival theories and intervene in scholarly debates;
• Ability to reflect on one’s own performance and improve through feedback.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching and learning will be delivered through a combination of 1-hour lectures and 2-hour seminars.
• The lectures will provide formal instruction and will give students a detailed overview of the core political economy debates on capitalism’s history and development.
• The seminars will allow students to discuss the work of key political economy theorists and apply these theories to the historical debates that they learned about in the lecture and from the assigned readings, providing students with a chance to develop their verbal communication skills and gain an advanced understanding of the relevant subjects.
• Formative assignment by 1500-word essay, comprising a critical review of a selected journal article. This will allow students to develop their skills in analysing the strength and weaknesses of a particular argument, and to situate it in relation to other literature on the topic.
• Summative assessment by 3,000-word essay will allow students to develop their skills in critical analysis and essay writing, as they will explore in depth key questions related to the history and theory of capitalism.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment will comprise a 1,500 word essay (article review).

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University