CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Residential Workshop: Summer School on Marxism-2017
Module- II: “Doing Marxism Today”
Dates: (09 days) 3rd to 12th June, 2017
Venue: NCR(Tentative)
Closing date for applications: 10th April 2017 (midnight IST)
Who can apply: Anybody can apply!!
Application Requirement: The only condition is to answer atleast two questions out of the given questions. [The language will be mainly English and Hindi due to logistical constraints.]
Course Content
1. On Epistemology & Praxis
i) Marxist Epistemologies
ii) Different schools of Marxism
iii) Praxis
2. On Cultural Question
iv) Identity – On Subjectivity
v) Gender – Reproduction, affectivity & Gender
vi) Religion – Marxism & Religion
vii) Caste – Caste in Capitalism
3. On Political Theory
viii) Class & Organization
ix) Theorizations on Power
x) State & Capital
xi) Hegemony & Politics
xii) Justice, Rights & Law
xiii) On Social Movements
4. On Economic theory
xiv) Neoliberalism
xv) Advanced Capitalism under Globalization
xvi) On Capitalist Development
Methodology
The course will employ multiple methods of teaching over and above the regular classroom pedagogy. Methods such as classroom teaching, group discussions, multimedia, theater etc. will be used.
Answer any two of the following questions
1. Using the distinction between mode of appropriation and exploitation, assess critically the nature of ‘socialism’ that evolved in the Soviet Union?
2. Take the following four paragraphs from Communist Manifesto and assess critically whether and how far the analysis of Marx and Engels have been borne out by the evolution of capitalism.
i.) Modern industry has established the world market, for which the discovery of America paved the way. This market has given an immense development to commerce, to navigation, to communication by land. This development has, in its turn, reacted on the extension of industry; and in proportion as industry, commerce, navigation, railways extended, in the same proportion the bourgeoisie developed, increased its capital, and pushed into the background every class handed down from the Middle Ages.
ii.) We see, therefore, how the modern bourgeoisie is itself the product of a long course of development, of a series of revolutions in the modes of production and of exchange. The bourgeoisie, historically, has played a most revolutionary part……….
iii.) The bourgeoisie, wherever it has got the upper hand, has put an end to all feudal, patriarchal, idyllic relations. It has pitilessly torn asunder the motley feudal ties that bound man to his “natural superiors”, and has left remaining no other nexus between man and man than naked self-interest, than callous “cash payment”. It has drowned the most heavenly ecstasies of religious fervour, of chivalrous enthusiasm, of philistine sentimentalism, in the icy water of egotistical calculation. It has resolved personal worth into exchange value, and in place of the numberless indefeasible chartered freedoms, has set up that single, unconscionable freedom – Free Trade. In one word, for exploitation, veiled by religious and political illusions, it has substituted naked, shameless, direct, brutal exploitation.
iv.) The bourgeoisie has stripped of its halo every occupation hitherto honoured and looked up to with reverent awe. It has converted the physician, the lawyer, the priest, the poet, the man of science, into its paid wage labourers.
3. How does the Indian experience help us think about the relation between democracy and capitalism from a Marxian standpoint?
4. How would you understand the organization of production process and capital accumulation keeping in mind the ideas of relative and absolute surplus value production in India?
5. Is there is a decline of revolutionary working class politics in South Asia or the working class politics needs to be rephrased to organize a struggle that would transcend the capitalist system? In what way would you suggest modification of the constituents of the revolutionary block? Do you think that this requires any modification of the concept of the party, its internal constitution and its relation with the ‘revolutionary’ masses?
Logistics
Accommodation will be on twin sharing basis. Simple food will be provided. Boarding and lodging as well as course materials will be taken care of by the host organizations. Participants coming from outside Delhi will be reimbursed part of their travel expenses, their travel from their respective locations to Delhi and back. Travel from Delhi to the venue and back will be arranged by the organizers.
PLEASE NOTE: The course is strictly residential. Participants are expected to stay at the venue even if they are from nearby. All participants are expected to stay through the entire course and not leave halfway unless there are compelling reasons like a sudden family emergency. Applicants must remember that leaving midway without sufficiently valid reason is likely to affect the prospects of others from their university/organization that might apply for other courses at SAU in the future. These restrictions are designed to ensure equity and inclusiveness across all participants.
How to Apply
Application with your name, institutional affiliation, address, education qualification and answer to the questions may be sent to the following email id: marxistschool2014@gmail.com such that it reaches us before midnight IST latest by 10th April 2017. In case if you have queries you can mail or write it down to:
Atul Chandra, Project Assistant/Senior Researcher, Room No: 337 ‘A’, Third Floor, Akbar Bhawan, South Asian University, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-21
