CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SAN BERNARDINO SOCIAL SCIENCE 320: UNDERSTANDING CAPITALISM. Dr. Mayo C. Toruño

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1 CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SAN BERNARDINO SOCIAL SCIENCE 320: UNDERSTANDING CAPITALISM Dr. Mayo C. Toruño Spring 2009 Office: SB-209D Phone: Office hours: MW 2-3:50 p.m. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a broad interdisciplinary understanding of capitalism. The course was developed in response to the shift toward market driven policies that emerged with the ascendancy of rightist ideology, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of global Neoliberalism. Many popular commentators viewed the decline of the Soviet Union as proof of the irrationality of socialism and the viability of capitalism. They saw the retreat from central planning as confirmation of the idea that government s economic role should be kept to a minimum. In contrast, others argue that unrestrained free market systems are prone to considerable instability and are incapable of providing a reasonably just standard of living for a significant fraction of the population. Thus, these critics argue, capitalism must rely on government to ameliorate the excesses of free market systems and protect capitalism from itself. These issues will be examined by exploring the historical origins of capitalism and the political and economic theories used to explain it. Along the way, the student will be exposed to critiques of capitalism, arguments in favor of capitalism, varieties of capitalist arrangements and how capitalism differs from other political economic systems such as socialism. We will also spend some time considering the cultural dimensions of life in capitalist societies.

2 Required Texts: E. K. Hunt, Property and Prophets: The Evolution of Economic Institutions and Ideologies, with forward by Robert Pollin. Updated Seventh Edition. Armonk, NY; London, England, Understanding Capitalism:. San Bernardino: California State University, San Bernardino, Blackboard: Students with access to the internet will be able to access material relevant to this course on Blackboard. To access Blackboard go to Grading: For purposes of evaluation there will be two mid-term examinations and a final examination. Each examination is worth a maximum of 50 points. In addition, there will be two pop quizzes throughout the quarter. Each quiz will be worth a maximum of 5 points: one will count as part of the course s total possible points; the other will count as extra credit. Total possible points for the course are 155. The general rule is that a missed assignment cannot be made-up. If, however, the student has a legitimate excuse he or she can take a make-up during final s week. The nature of this course is such that much of the material can only be explained through lecture - there is no readily available textbook that corresponds to this course. Because of this, attendance is extremely important. Missing a session could hurt the student s grade. Students who show up late to class and/or leave before the end of the session, without prior permission, will have 10 points deducted from their final course grade. The grades will be determined on the basis of the following scale: 2

3 Grade A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F % Plagiarism and Cheating: Plagiarism and cheating are violations of the Student Discipline Code and will be dealt with by the instructor and the Judicial Affairs Officer (consult the Academic Regulations section of the most recent Bulletin of Courses). communication: When communicating with me through , please be sure to type SSCI 320 in the subject heading of the . This will make it easier for me to identify you as a student and eliminate the chance I might inadvertently delete your message. Students with Disabilities If you are in need of an accommodation for a disability in order to participate in this class, please let me know ASAP and also contact Services to Students with Disabilities at UH- 183, (909) Schedule of Topics, Readings, and Assessments: Week 1 (April 6 & 8) The Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism The development of private property The emergence of a capitalist and working class The emergence of the nation state Hunt, Chapters 1-3 Week 2 (April 13 & 15) Capitalism and the liberal creed The Classic Political Economists Hunt, Chapter 4 3

4 Week 3 (April 20 & 22) Capitalism and the liberal creed The Neoclassical Economists The Keynesians Hunt, Chapters 8, 12 Week 4 (April 27 & 29) Capitalism and its critics Utopian Socialism Marxism Hunt 5-7 First Examination, (April 29) Week 5 (May 4 & 6) Property, Income and Power The Gross Product, labor and the surplus Production and the Modern Firm The Structure of production: core and periphery The Corporation Robert L. Heilbroner and William Milberg, The Impact of Industrial Technology in Understanding Capitalism:. William Dugger, Social Power in Understanding Capitalism:. Week 6 (May 11 & 13) The Political Economy of the Household The social construction of wants Hunt, Chapter 9 Thorstein Veblen, The Theory of the Leisure Class in Understanding Capitalism: Week 7 (May 18 & 20) The Capitalist State Political economic theories of the state Political Ideology: Democratic and Republican Parties The Welfare and Warfare State Robert L. Heilbroner, The Politics of Capitalism in Understanding Capitalism: Paul M. Sweezy, The State in Understanding Capitalism: Milton Friedman, The Relation between Economic Freedom and Political Freedom in Understanding Capitalism: Week 8 (May 25 & 27) No Class on Monday, May 25 Memorial Day Holiday!!! Second Examination (May 27) 4

5 Week 9 (June 1 & 3) Varieties of Capitalism Varieties of Socialism Hunt, Chapter 10 & 11 Robert L. Heilbroner and William Milberg, The Rise and Fall of Socialism in Understanding Capitalism: No Class on November 22 (Thanksgiving Holiday) Week 10 (June 8 & 10) The International Dimension Colonialism and Imperialism Globalization and Neoliberalism Robert L. Heilbroner and William Milbert, The Globalization of Economic Life in Understanding Capitalism: Paul M. Sweezy, Imperialism in Understanding Capitalism: William K. Tabb, Capitalism and Globalization in Understanding Capitalism: Week 11 (June 15 & 17) Wrap up Final Examination: Wednesday, June 17, 6 p.m. 5