A history of global capitalism
Time: 12:30 - 14:30
Location: Keeley Street
Course Code: HWH80
Choose a start date
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This course provides an introduction to the history and development of global capitalism. It introduces learners to the historical transitions towards what we know as capitalism today – evolution of capital, the role of the state, labour, competition, race, and innovation-automation.
What will we cover?
- Historical transitions – feudalism to mercantilism to capitalism
- The role of the state and evolution of capital – monopoly, mergers, acquisitions –
- Competition, production, innovation
- The Role of race and inequality within capitalism
- Automation, innovation of tech – impact on capitalism
- Where is capitalism going today?
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Explore and identify significant historical points where capitalism develops and evolves over time
- Examine the contested ideas and reasons surrounding capitalism
- Develop familiarity with using different types of resources (maps, census data, etc.) to develop analyses and comments.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Everyone is welcome. This is an ‘introductory’ level course and does not assume any previous study or reading although you will need a good standard of English to keep up with the course. As with most of our history and current affairs courses, an open mind and a willingness to listen and to think about views with which you are not familiar or may not agree, are more important than any previous knowledge or experience in the subject matter.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will consist of tutor presentations, some audio and video clips as appropriate, some in-class readings for discussion, as well as opportunities for questions and comments.
Suggested Background Readings: (optional not required)*. Other reading related to weekly topics will be made available via the Google Classroom for this course – available (start of the course)
- H-J Chang (2011) 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism. London: Penguin.
- J Kocka (2016) Capitalism. A short history. NJ: Princeton University Press.
- T Piketty (2014) Capital in the Twenty-First Century. MA: Harvard University Press.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No. There are no extra costs apart from your own note-taking materials.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please explore the history, politics and economics sections for more summer and autumn courses.
Dale joined City Lit in 2010 and has taught a range of courses in the history and politics programmes. She also teaches in the Politics and Geography Departments at Birkbeck, University of London. She has a PhD in Politics from the University of Durham, and has taught at the Universities of Durham, Limerick, Bedfordshire, and has guest lectured at the University of Birmingham. She has a keen interest in American history/politics, European history/politics, democratic transitions & states, and global issues like the environment, migration and civic edudation. When not teaching, Dale is usually found buried in books (both textbooks and fiction!), baking, still making attempts to learn French, hiking, or squeeking away as a beginner - learning to play the violin.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
