Anthropology of Capitalism, Care and the Environment (L6070)

15 credits, Level 4

Spring teaching

On this module, you’ll explore the anthropological study of economic life.

Through economic anthropology, you’ll critique the universalism of mainstream economics, which has ‘naturalised’ capitalism. You’ll question why capitalism has come to be seen as the best, only, or unavoidable way of organising economic processes.

You’ll explore:

  • how people engage with, alter, or resist the economic relationships they’re part of
  • how to define these relationships, including the unpaid and invisible care work that makes human flourishing possible
  • humans’ relationships to their material needs on a finite planet
  • environments and non-human beings as an integral part of economic life.

Teaching

55%: Lecture
45%: Seminar

Assessment

100%: Written assessment (Essay)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 22 hours of contact time and about 128 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: