Democracy and Education in the Neoliberal Era

3 credits · Graduate

This course examines neoliberalism, the economic paradigm that has dominated economics in Canada and across much of the world since the 1980s. The main objectives of neoliberalism are to entrench unregulated capitalism in society, and to commodify as much of the commons as possible, including education, healthcare, and the environment. At the same time, it attempts to weaken potential obstacles such as a growing anti-colonization movement and democracy itself. The course examines the effects of neoliberalism on our democracy and education systems, and particularly focuses on the mainstream media as a hegemonic device in the service of neoliberalism.