Interdisciplinary Studies 39A, Section 1
Karl Marx and his Concept of Human Rights (2 units, LG)
Professor Renate Holub
Monday 4:00-6:00, 83 Dwinelle, CCN: 45002

Karl Marx [1818-1883] is one of the most controversial European intellectuals of the past 150 years. His books were burned under national socialism in Germany, and his name—invariably linked to communism—was anathema during the McCarthy era in the United States. In this seminar, we will critically examine early and late writings of Marx in order to determine the main elements of his concept of 'human rights.' We will then develop a brief overview of the location of Marx's concept of 'human rights' in the context of the predominant philosophical traditions that preceded him [Vico, Kant, and Hegel] as well as in those that followed him [liberal theory, neo-liberal theory, neo-marxist theory, feminist theory, postmodernist theory, postcolonialist theory, etc.].
This seminar may be used to satisfy the Philosophy and Values breadth requirement in Letters and Science.

Professor Renate Holub received her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin (1983) after completing a dissertation on Giambattista Vico, a precursor of Marx. Her book on Antonio Gramsci (Antonio Gramsci. Beyond Marxism and Postmodernism) focused on the intellectual relations between the Italian Marxist Gramsci and the neo-Marxist positions of the critical theory of the Frankfurt School. Over the past decade, she has pursued research for a study of intellectuals, rights, and states. Currently, she is in the process of writing a volume on Human Rights before the State: On Vico's Theory of Global Justice. Website: http://learning.berkeley.edu/holub