PHIL 276.001 – Ideology, Capitalism, and Critique

Instructor: Genae Matthews. This course meets MWF 11:15 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. in CW 105.

What does it mean to say that ideology shapes our social reality? Is ideology critique possible, and if so, how do we do it? This course addresses these and other questions about ideology, primarily through the lens of Marxist Critical Theory. We’ll also consider criticisms of the Marxist approach, including the claim that it marginalizes gender and racial oppression. Topics include Marx (and various others – e.g., Jaeggi, Geuss) on ideology and working-class consciousness, Robinson and Mills on racial capitalism, Fanon on critiques of colonialism, and Young, Haslanger, and Fraser (among others) on socialist feminism. We’ll aim to understand the principles and values underlying each of these accounts and apply them to current debates over issues such as union organizing, apartheid, and the prison abolition.

Have registration questions? Our PPE Administrators can help! Please email them at ppeprogram@unc.edu for assistance.