Teaching Marxist Theory in the Twenty-First Century: Practical Lessons for Teachers and Students

This book offers teachers a sequence of lessons that provide students with a clear understanding of Marxist Theory. Each lesson includes easily accessible resources along with a series of discussions that will elicit comprehensive and productive conversations that address the tenets of Marxist Theory. This book is specifically relevant for the socioeconomic situation of the early part of the 21st century.

This book mainly focuses on the economic aspects of Marxist Theory, but also provides a look at the cultural and ideological aspects. It offers lessons on Capitalism, the Labor Theory of Value, Alienation, Historical Materialism, the Cold War, Neoliberalism, Mental Health, and Work in Capitalism.

The sequence of lessons begins with a simple lesson and essay project to prepare students to delve into Marxist Theory. The lessons become more complex as the course progresses.

This book provides teachers with a method to teach Marxist Theory so that the stereotypes and hyperbole that surround it can be countered. It makes clear that at the center of Marxist Theory is economy and a critique of capitalism that stands on its own, separate from the socialist experiments of the 20th century.

The lessons allow students to recognize their own class positioning, to articulate a defense against popular arguments from the discourse of capital, and to develop class consciousness.