‘Drawing on Marx’s theory of alienation, critically explore the claim that modern forms of work are
Alienating. Please use examples to support your discussion and develop your analysis’
Additional resources
The below resources are not exhaustive, but will help you as you begin your research:
The following texts are available online through the resource list:
• Your week 7 seminar reading: Introduction to Marx by Craig Calhoun and excerpt from Marx’s Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844
• Bratton, J. (2020) Work and Organizational Behaviour, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc pp. 57-59
• Knights, D. and Willmott, H. (2017) Introducing Organizational Behaviour and Management. 3rd Edition. Cengage Learning pp.60-63.
The following texts can all be sourced either through the Kimberlin library database:
• Nair,N. and Vohra,N. (2009) ‘Developing a New Measure of Work Alienation’ Journal of Workplace Rights 14, pp. 293-309.
• Noon, M. and Blyton, P. (1997) The Realities of Work: Experiencing Work and Employment in Contemporary Society. Basingstoke: MacMillan. Chapter 9
• Seeman,M. (1959) ‘On the meaning of alienation’ American Sociological Review 24, 6, 783-791.
• Shantz, A., Alfes, K., Bailey, C. and Soane, E., 2015. Drivers and outcomes of work alienation: Reviving a concept. Journal of Management Inquiry, 24(4), pp.382-393.
Remember to:
• Carefully read the question before you begin your research: what is it asking you to do?
• Make notes and plan a response that helps you to address the title so that your discussion and analysis is relevant
• Select resources that are academically rigorous, i.e. not opinion pieces or blogs.
• DO NOT CHANGE THE WORDING OF THE TITLE
Good responses will:
• Demonstrate familiarity with Marx’s theory of alienation and 4 types of alienation proposed
• Use examples to discuss alienation in relation to contemporary work
• Develop discussion and analysis that relates to the title and demonstrates some considered judgement
• Draw on academic resources rather than resources that are not academically rigorous.
