COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA Western Marxism program at Essex is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the critical study of capitalism and its theoretical critiques. The core module, Capitalism and its Critics, offers an in-depth exploration of the economic, social, and political dimensions of capitalism, examining both classical and contemporary perspectives on its functioning, strengths, and limitations. This module enables students to engage critically with the arguments of key thinkers and understand the broader debates surrounding economic and social justice, inequality, and systemic critique. Alongside this, students have the flexibility to choose optional modules that align with their individual interests, allowing them to broaden their knowledge in related areas of social theory, philosophy, or political thought. The program culminates in a dissertation in Western Marxism, providing the opportunity to conduct independent research under expert supervision. Through the dissertation, students apply the theoretical and methodological knowledge gained during the course to a focused project, developing skills in critical analysis, research design, academic writing, and argumentation. Overall, the MA combines a strong foundation in the study of capitalism and Marxist critique with the flexibility to pursue specialized interests, preparing students for advanced academic research or careers requiring sophisticated analytical, theoretical, and interdisciplinary skills in social, political, and economic contexts.