Open AccessPlaydough Capitalism: An Adventure in Critical Pedagogy
Author(s) -
William K. Carroll
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
socialist studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1918-2821
pISSN - 1717-2616
DOI - 10.18740/s4b88r
Subject(s) - capitalism , transformative learning , marxist philosophy , experiential learning , reflexivity , sociology , citizen journalism , critical pedagogy , adventure , value (mathematics) , pedagogy , social science , political science , law , art , machine learning , politics , computer science , art history
This paper describes a technique for simulating capitalism within the classroom, using familiar materials and creating a participatory, reflexive learning space. It situates ‘Playdough Capitalism’ within the theory/practice of experiential education/radical pedagogy and the Marxist analysis/immanent critique of capitalism as a historically-formed system of class exploitation and alienated labour. The paper discusses both the value of simulating capitalism within the classroom and its limits as a transformative pedagogy.