Introductory description

“Neoliberalism” seems to be the catch word, the linguistic omnivore of our times. Twenty years ago, the term “neoliberalism” barely registered in English-language debates, including academic discourse. Perhaps not surprisingly, the use of the term exploded after the financial crash of 2007-8, the most severe worldwide economic crisis since the 1929 Wall Street crash. Almost overnight, the use of the term ‘neoliberalism’ became ubiquitous. Public debate and academic research began to seriously investigate the economic, political and socio-cultural conditions of ‘neoliberalism’ its potential and challenges.
But what exactly hides behind the term ‘neoliberalism’? Based on recent research from history, philosophy, political science, sociology, history of economics, cultural studies, and cultural anthropology, this module examines the history of ‘neoliberalism’, its ideas and practices, its promises and challenges. It introduces a critical understanding of neoliberal ideas, from their first theoretical formulation at the beginning of the 20th century to their current application in today's neoliberal governance. At the core of the module's stands the exploration of neoliberal ideas on the market, the state, and human behaviour in the past and present.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1: Introduction: A Short History of Neoliberalism: Markets, States and Human
Nature, 1920s to Today
Week 2: Historical Foundations: The Rise of Neoliberal Hegemony
Week 3: Organising, Institution Building and Knowledge Production
Week 4: Crisis Implementation: The Role of Crisis as a Central Tool in
Neoliberal Governmentality
Week 5: ‘Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste’: Crisis Ordinary today
Week 6: Reading Week
Week 7: A New Social Ontology and a New Regime of Truth
Week 8: Neoliberalism and Engineering of Human Behaviour: Example of National Education in UK
Week 9: Redefining Selfhood and Identity: The Emotional Entrepreneur
Week 10: Neoliberal Governmentality in Perpetual Crisis Management Today: Ruling Moods and Nudging
Citizens

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Comprehension of the historical development of neoliberal thinking on the market, the state and human behaviour since the 1920
• Critical analysis of neoliberal concepts on the market, state, and human behaviour
• Critical evaluation of the possibilities and challenges of neoliberal governmentality in the past and present
• Develop interdisciplinary research and evaluation skills
• Critical analysis of how neoliberalism has shaped the individual and social experience of citizens in liberal democracies
• Improve study, research and communication skill

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

The module researches the understanding of the past and present of neoliberal governmentality by collecting, examining, evaluating, and interpreting of a variety of primary and secondary source materials (e.g. texts, visual and materials objects, oral history).

Interdisciplinary

The module examines and applies methods and insights deriving from several academic disciplines, specifically history, law, political science, philosophy, sociology, economics, cultural studies, and cultural anthropology. The respective methods and insights are combined in pursuit of the exploration and analysis of the historical development of the strategies and technologies of neoliberal governmentality since 1920. The module crosses the ‘traditional boundaries’ between academic disciplines and schools of thought to address new and emerging issues in the discipline of history and in neighbouring disciplines on the subject of neoliberalism. The module encourages students to weave these interdisciplinary methodologies together in order to challenge and impact the complex issue of neoliberalism in the past and present.

Subject specific skills

The module teaches history-specific skill such as critical reasoning and analytical skills, including the capacity for solving problems and thinking creatively about the past. The module also teaches and encourages intellectual and methodological rigour and independence in thinking, including the ability to conduct detailed research on the subject of neoliberalism.

Transferable skills

The module teaches a number of transferable skills such as critical, independent and creative thinking, effective communication, strong writing skills, time management, and independent project organisation. These skills enhance both students' personal development and their future employment opportunities.