Very few modern works have been as influential and as closely scrutinized as the massive body of texts comprising Marx’s unfinished magnum opus, Das Kapital. But what is the status of Marx’s monumental attempt at a critique of the political economy of his day in the 21st century? In particular, what are the implications of present-day fiat currency systems, the very possibility of which Marx rejects, for his economic theory as a whole?

The course aims to provide students with a broad overview of Marx’s economic system - from the theories of surplus value and exploitation to lesser-discussed elements such as Marx’s theory of rent - to foster an in-depth, critical engagement with this body of work and its relevance to contemporary concerns. As such, this will not be just another Capital reading group (nor does it take a specifically Marxist perspective). Instead, it will offer an opportunity to engage with the breadth of Marx’s mature writings on economics, via carefully-chosen selections from Volume I as well the later, unfinished volumes, and earlier works including the 1859 Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy and the manuscripts known as Theories of Surplus Value. Students will thus gain a “roadmap” to this voluminous body of work, enabling them to identify where particular topics of interest arise for further research according to their own interests.