Capitalism and Its Critics OpenCourseWare: A Free Bachelor Level Economics Course on the Study of Capitalism by MIT
Economic theories such as capitalism have shaped industrial societies, influencing both political and social systems--perhaps not for the better, as some critics contend. 'Capitalism and Its Critics' is a free OpenCourseWare offering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This self-directed online course may be useful for students pursuing an undergraduate education in Economics.
Capitalism and Its Critics: Course Specifics
Degree Level | Free | Audio | Video | Downloads |
---|---|---|---|---|
Undergraduate | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Lectures/Notes | Study Materials | Tests/Quizzes |
---|---|---|
No | Yes | No |
Capitalism and Its Critics: Course Description
On the MIT campus, this lecture course was taught by Professor Michael Piore, who provides an extensive reading list for OpenCourseWare students. The reading list includes works authored by Milton Friedman, Karl Marx, Ayn Rand, Max Weber and John Kenneth Galbraith. Students following the suggested readings explore topics such as neoclassical economics, the corporate state, labor divides, theories of Marxism and the entrenchment of economic behavior in society. The course is primarily concerned with two major issues. First, the roles of the state and markets are studied and compared; second, students analyze the tension between social responsibilities and the rights of individual citizens. The historical context that shaped different paradigms of capitalist thought is considered throughout the course. 'Capitalism and Its Critics' is part of the curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Economics program at MIT.
Included in this OpenCourseWare are essay assignments and a list of books and readings. To take a hard look at this economic theory and its detractors, visit the critics of capitalism course page.