Quite a few people have heard of Karl Marx and Marxism, but far less have ever stopped to learn what Marxism is really all about. Is it simply an economic theory, or a political movement? Is it a philosophy of history, or just a critique of capitalism? Why has it shaped revolutions, labor movements, academic disciplines, and political debates across the world for more than 150 years? For some, it represents the dream of economic democracy and liberation from exploitation. For others, it evokes authoritarianism, failed states, and political repression.

This introductory course explores the foundations of Marxist thought in a clear, simple, and accessibly grounded way. Through four pre-recorded lectures and four discussion sessions, students will learn and discuss the core concepts developed by Karl Marx and later Marxist thinkers, including ideas like class struggle, historical materialism, exploitation, alienation, ideology, revolution, and socialism. The course will also provide an introductory examination of how Marxists understand capitalism, why they believe economic systems shape society and politics, and how Marxist ideas evolved through labor struggles, anti-colonial movements, and debates within the socialist tradition itself. We will end through looking at how Marxism has touched other disciplines beyond economics, culminating in a critique of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings through the lens of Marxist literary criticism. No prior background in philosophy, economics, or political theory is required or needed, just your curiosity.

The module approaches Marxism through historical and scholarly analysis rather than political advocacy. Students will critically examine Marxist ideas, their historical development, and their influence on contemporary debates.

Whether you are sympathetic to Marxism, skeptical of it, or simply interested in understanding one of the most important intellectual movements of the modern world, this course will provide the tools to think critically and historically about capitalism, socialism, and the future of human society.

The module will follow an 8-session structure as shown below:

Outline	8-Session Structure
Week 1	Session 1: The World of Karl Marx: History, Class, and Struggle
	Session 2: Discussion Session 1
Week 2	Session 3: Capitalism and Exploitation
	Session 4: Discussion Session 2
Week 3	Session 5: Revolution, the State, and Socialist Transitions
	Session 6: Discussion Session 3
Week 4	Session 7: Marxism Beyond Marx: Sociology, Literary Criticism, and The Lord of the Rings
	Session 8: Discussion Session 4