Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE LAS2064

 
TITLE Understanding Neoliberalism and its Impact on Society

 
UM LEVEL H - Higher Level

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Centre for the Liberal Arts and Sciences

 
DESCRIPTION Neoliberalism is increasingly being used to describe our contemporary societies. Whilst often used vaguely, the term describes how over the past 40 years, state provision has changed in favour of greater collaborations with the private sector resulting in privatisation and marketisation of everything from hospitals to issuing of national citizenship. Accompanying this extension of the market to all of life, citizens are increasingly being considered as individualised consumers and self-entrepreneurs engaged in choosing what is best for themselves and their families. Across a variety of spheres, people are called upon to make choices as individuals and to take individual responsibility for those choices, from the subjects they choose at school to the jobs they get.

This unit will explore the notion of neoliberalism as the political rationality at the basis of many contemporary social changes, a rationality that many consider as equating to common-sense, thereby making alternative ideas of how to organise society seem like unworthy of even minimal consideration. The module firstly engages with different interpretations of neoliberalism and then goes on to compare and contrast it with other political ideologies. Once some fundamental clarifications are made, course participants are gradually introduced to the principles of neoliberalism. Students are supported to critically engage with the core principles including: equality before the law, individual freedom, private property, the rule of law, individualism, individual responsibility, the principle of humanitarian assistance and the idea of market justice.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Describe the core principles that underpin neoliberalism;
- Explain differences between diverse interpretations of the term neoliberalism;
- Identify impacts of neoliberal ideas on the social, economic and political spheres;
- Compare and contrast neoliberalism with other political rationalities;
- Expose the impact that neoliberalism has on individuals’ everyday life;
- Critically appraise the term neoliberalism;
- Trace and understand the ideas that currently influence the political sphere;
- Identify some of the consequences that applying such principles may entail.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Critique Neoliberal Political Theory;
- Critically reflect upon the relationship between neoliberalism as a political-economic project and contemporary transformations in society;
- Appraise the effects which specific core principles have on neoliberal political rationality;
- Identify the possible origins of specific contemporary social phenomena.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Biebricher, T. (2019). The political theory of neoliberalism. Stanford University Press.
- Harvey, D. (2007). A brief history of neoliberalism. OUP Oxford.
- Dardot, P., & Laval, C. (2014). The new way of the world: On neoliberal society. Verso Trade.
- Friedman, M. and Friedman, R. (1980). Free to Choose: A Personal Statement. Harvest Books.
- Hayek, F. A. (1960). The Constitution of Liberty. Routledge and Kegan Paul.

Supplementary Readings:

- Giroux, H. A. (2004). The terror of neoliberalism: Authoritarianism and the eclipse of democracy. Paradigm Publishers.
- Mudge, S.L. (2008). What is neo-liberalism? Socio-Economic Review, 6(4), 703-731. https://doi.org/10.1093/ser/mwn0.
- Cahill, D. Konings, M. Cooper, M.& Primrose, D. (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Neoliberalism (pp. 565-579). SAGE Publications Ltd.
- Ayers, D. F., & Carlone, D. (2007). Manifestations of neoliberal discourses within a local job‐training program. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 26(4), 461-479. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370701417277.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment 50%
Portfolio 50%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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