Arguments Of Karl Marx
  • Learning Objective: Students will recognize the key components to Marx's argument and be able to logically and thematically link them together.
  • Preparation: Print out images and cut into approximately half sheets of paper.
  • Exercise:

Can be done in one of two ways:

Scenario 1- One large group

  • Students sit in a circle and TA places the images on the floor in no particular order.
  • Tell students it is their task to

1) decide how each image represents one component of Karl Marx's argument and
2) arrange them into one comprehensive layout on the floor that draws logical links between images.

  • Let students move images around as they wish, providing assistance when necessary.
  • Final product can take any form (i.e., spiral, columns, concentric circles, abstract form, etc.).

Scenario 2- Multiple small groups

  • Break students up into groups of 4 or 5, giving each group their own stack of images.
  • Tell students it is their task to

1) decide how each image represents one component of Karl Marx's argument and
2) arrange them into one comprehensive layout on the floor that draws logical links between images.

  • Walk quietly around the room monitoring their progress and only intervene if necessary.
  • Follow up Discussion questions to check for understanding:

Scenario 1

  • Ask students to explain to you their finished product. This should ultimately be a synopsis of Marx's argument.

Scenario 2

  • Ask students to walk around the room to see how their fellow students arranged their images.
  • Then, back in their own areas, run through (as a class) the general arguments as discussed in lecture. Tell students they may reorganize their images at any time during the discussion.
  • When discussion is complete, ask if any groups moved their images and why. Did they learn anything during the discussion?

Below are some examples of finished products:

IMG_0541.JPG
IMG_0542.JPG

Below are sample images illustrating key components of Karl Marx's argument:

warrant.bmp

The essence of capitalism.

pyramid.jpg

Historical Materialism/Emphasis on class structure/the economy and economic relationships are the base foundation of everything

factorylife.jpg
Industrialization and factory life/man is reduced to a cog in the machine/man is but an appendage to the machine
meangirls.jpg

Commodification/workers become commodities

inchains.jpg

"Men are born free, but are everywhere in chains"

alienation.jpg

We become estranged and alienated from our human nature/no longer working for ourselves or creativity, but to survive, as a means to an end

proletariat.jpg

Proletariat becomes poorer/more miserable/capitalism will always strive to reduce production costs and thus decrease wages

fishburn.bmp

The ruling class (bourgoisie) rules through ideas and consciousness, not just brute force/ideas or freedom and justice, etc. are conditioned by materiality and the economic system we live in

privateproperty.jpg

Should abolish bourgoisie (private) property/it is the essence of inequality

universal.bmp

"Working men of all countries unite"/a universal class, universal proletariat comes to be

revolution.bmp

Proletariat revolution (one of the necessary steps to communism)

mickeym.jpg

Capitalism contains the seeds of its own demise/creates the proletariat that will bring about change/chain reaction

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