Commodity Fetishism: Theoretical and Historical Perspectives

This course will provide an introduction to critical theory focusing on Marx's mature analysis of capitalism as a social formation founded on the fetishism of commodities. Our examination of this analysis will serve as a point of departure for a wider discussion of the relationship between Marxism and other methodologies and modes of critique, including feminist theory, deconstruction and psychoanalysis. In addition, we will also consider the contemporary relevance and implications of Marx's conception of commodity fetishism from different disciplinary perspectives, including anthropology, aesthetics, postcolonial criticism and the philosophy of law. Enrollment limited to 20.