Module learning outcome
1. Analyse the ways in which social factors and institutions are constructed and represented, and their implications for everyday life
2. Review how social inequalities are generated, experienced and maintained and their impact on health status and life chances of individuals, groups and societies
3. Explain how key theorists and perspectives address health, social inequalities and social problems
Essay question- Analyse the Marxist understanding of social class and discuss its implications for understanding society
Use the Marxist theory throughout the essay and compare and contrast with other theories (Emile Durkheim’s theory and Max Weber’s theory)
Main Body
• Introduce Karl Marx, explain who he is.
Capitalism would be the first topic to analyse, so explain capitalism and Karl Marx’ belief in capitalism, what he thinks about capitalism and effects he believes it has on society.
Under capitalism, discuss:
• Class antagonism and why it is in society
• Class consciousness
• Alienation
• Poverty
• Social inequality
• Lower class and upper class
• Bourgeoisie and proletariat
• Surplus value
• Exploitation
• Patriarchy
• What does Marx believe about why labourers put up with exploitation from the capitalists
• Polarization, homogenization and pauperization of workers
• Also analyse Marxist feminism and effects it has on society. Compare and contrast with other types of feminism such as liberal feminism, radical feminism and post-modern feminism.
Compare and contrast the Marxist understanding of social class and Emile Durkheim’s understanding of social class. Under this, discuss:
• Collective consciousness
• Division of labour
• The two types of solidarity (organic and mechanical) and relate them to both theories (Marx and Durkheim)
Compare and contrast Marx and Weber in terms of ‘bureaucracy’ and ‘mcdonalidization’.
• Discuss the implications of Marx’ understanding of social class and the impact it has on society.
Conclusion
The conclusion should include:
• Discuss if society is really the way Marx believes it to be and if his theory has changed overtime.
Use 25 references, Harvard referencing style.
