Passions and Interests: The History of Greed

Undergraduate | 2026

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Area/Catalogue
SOCI 2001
Course ID icon
Course ID
201023
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
2
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

To explain the transformation of greed from being one of the seven deadly sins to the socially-useful and morally acceptable drive of self-interest. The course will cover, among other things, an exploration of the following institutions, phenomena and ideas: self-interest; the division of labour; markets; luxury; the proper role of the state: liberalism and its critics; progress; virtue; classical communitarianism, anarchism, utilitarianism, classical political economy, the guaranteed basic income and the Grameen Bank; and the ideas of such important thinkers as John Locke, Adam Smith, Karl Marx and Max Weber.

  • Self-Interest Before Smith
  • From Smith To Marx
  • The Triumph Of Liberalism

Course learning outcomes

  • An ability to understand the ideological background of Western liberal capitalism as well as the arguments of its critics
  • Enhanced skills in research, synthesis, organisation and presentation of information
  • Familiarisation with the research skills necessary for working with primary sources
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently
  • Critically evaluate arguments
  • An ability to conduct critical textual analysis

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A