Making Money, Making Life: Capitalism, Care and the Environment (L6070)

15 credits, Level 4

Spring teaching

On this module, you’ll explore the anthropological study of economic life.

Through economic anthropology, you’ll critique the universalism of mainstream economics, which has ‘naturalised’ capitalism. You’ll question why capitalism has come to be seen as the best, only, or inevitable way of organising economic processes.

You’ll explore:

• how people participate in, alter, or resist the economic relationships they’re part of
• how people define these relationships to include the unpaid and invisible care work that supports human flourishing
• humans’ relationships to their material needs on a finite planet
• environments and non-human beings as an integral part of economic life.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses:

• Anthropology BA
• Anthropology and International Development BA
• Anthropology with a Language BA
• Geography and Anthropology BA
• History and Anthropology BA
• International Relations and Anthropology BA