Universität Wien

240027 VS Economy and morality (3.3.4) (2019W)

Continuous assessment of course work

Participation at first session is obligatory!

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 40 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Thursday 10.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Thursday 17.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Thursday 24.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Thursday 31.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Thursday 07.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Thursday 14.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Thursday 21.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Thursday 28.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Thursday 05.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Thursday 12.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Thursday 09.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Thursday 16.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Thursday 23.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
Thursday 30.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

According to some (economic) Armageddon is nearing, with a craving for profits, focus on economic growth, and unbridled trust in free markets leading to the complete destruction of our planet. Capitalism without morals, so it seems. But what do we really know about the relations between economy and morality? This course will analyse these relations from a historical and contemporary perspective. The aim is to better understand how morals influence and shape economic practices, from our own everyday economic acts to the operations of (global) markets.

Course aims:
1. To gain a historical and contemporary understanding of the relations between the economy and morality.
2. To learn about the relevant theoretical themes and debates in the study of economy and morality.
3. To be able to apply the theory.
4. To better understand the particular qualities an anthropological perspective has to offer.

Content:
After discussing how the nexus between moral ideas and economic practices have developed historically, we will focus on a variety of concepts relevant to the understanding of the relations between morality and economy, such as the homo economicus, reciprocity (discussed in Marcel Mauss’ (1990 [1925]) The Gift), moral economy, and markets. After that, we will look at a variety of topics, including insurance, inequality, and whether everything has a price (including love and nature), and explore opposing moral opinions and related tensions involved. Together, this will allow to develop a better understanding of the relations between economy and morality.

Methods:
Reading literature, presentations, discussions, tests, and individual papers.

Assessment and permitted materials

1. Each student will give a short presentation about the literature and themes discussed (of about 10 to 15 minutes). The assignment will count towards 30 points of the final mark.
2. There will be a mid-term exam (or writing assignment) testing the understanding of the course material. This assignment will count towards 30 points of the final mark.
3. Each student will write short essay of 2,000 to 3,000 words, to be handed in at the end of the course. This will count towards 40 points of the final mark.

NB. Please note, all written assignments will be checked with anti-plagiarism software.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

1. Presence and active participation in the seminar.
2. With prior notification, an absence of a maximum of 80% of the total hours will be allowed. Failing to notify your absence in advance will be considered a failure of the minimum requirements.
3. All assignments have to be completed successfully.

The lecturer can invite students to a grade-relevant discussion about partial achievements. Partial achievements that are obtained by fraud or plagiarized result in the non-evaluation of the course (entry 'X' in certificate). From winter term 2019/20 the plagiarism software 'Turnitin' will be used for courses with continuous assessment.

Examination topics

Reading list

Will be announced.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:21