1st Floor Leroy Neiman Center (Sharp Building)
Description:
It is generally assumed that Marxists and other Leftists have the political responsibility to support reforms for the improvement of the welfare of workers. Yet, leading figures from the Marxist tradition-- such as Lenin, Luxemburg, and Trotsky-- also understood that such reforms would broaden the crisis of capitalism and potentially intensify contradictions that could adversely impact the immediate conditions of the workers. For instance, full employment, while being a natural demand from the standpoint of all workers' interests, also threatens the conditions of capitalist production [which rely on a surplus of available labor], thereby potentially jeopardizing the system of employment altogether. In light of such apparent paradoxes, this panel seeks to investigate the politics of work from Leftist perspectives. It will attempt to provoke reflection on and discussion of the ambiguities and dilemmas of the politics of work by including speakers from divergent perspectives, some of whom seek after the immediate abolition of labor and others of whom seek to increase the availability of employment opportunities. It is hoped that this conversation will deepen the understanding of contemporary problems faced by the Left in its struggles to construct a politics adequate to the self-emancipation of the working class.
Speakers:
Bill Barclay
DSA/Chicago Political Economy Group
Lenny Brody
Justice Party/Network for Revolutionary Change
Leon Fink
labor history, UIC
The Second International (1889-1914)
Rosa Luxemburg
(1986) Directed by Margareteh von Trotta. Starring Barbara Sukova (Cannes Best Actress Award) and Daniel Olbrychski.
School of the Art Institute — Monday, September 2, 2013 | 6 PM
112 S Michigan Ave | Room 1307
Loyola University — Monday, October 7, 2013 | 5:30 PM
6450 N Kenmore Ave | Cudahy Hall | Room 301
University of Chicago — Wednesday October 16, 2013 | 6 PM
Harper Memorial Library | Room 151
The Russian Revolution (1917)
Reds
(1981) Directed by Warren Beatty. Starring Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Maureen Stapleton and Gene Hackman. [Trailer]
School of the Art Institute — Monday, September 23, 2013 | 6 PM
112 S Michigan Ave | Room 1307
Loyola University — Monday, October 21, 2013 | 5:30 PM
6450 N Kenmore Ave | Cudahy Hall | Room 301
University of Chicago — Wednesday October 30, 2013 | 6 PM
1116 E 59th St |Â Harper Memorial Library | Room 151
The Old Left (1930s)
Cradle Will Rock
(1999) Directed and Written by Tim Robbins. Starring Hank Azaria, Bill Murray, Joan Cusack, John Cusack, Ruben Blades, Emily Watson, John Turturro, Susan Sarandon, Vanessa Redgrave, Cary Elwes and Angus Macfadyen. [Trailer]
School of the Art Institute — Monday, October 21, 2013 | 6 PM
112 S Michigan Ave | Room 1307
Loyola University — Monday, November 4, 2013 | 5:30 PM
6450 N Kenmore Ave | Cudahy Hall | Room 301
University of Chicago — Wednesday, November 13, 2013 | 6 PM
1116 E 59th St | Harper Memorial Library | Room 151
The New Left (1960s)
Grin Without a Cat
(1977) Directed and Written by Chris Marker. Â [Trailer]
School of the Art Institute — Monday, November 11, 2013 | 6 PM
112 S Michigan Ave | Room 1307
Loyola University — Monday, October 18, 2013 | 5:30 PM
6450 N Kenmore Ave | Cudahy Hall | Room 301
University of Chicago — Wednesday, November 27, 2013 | 6 PM
1116 E 59th St | Harper Memorial Library | Room 151
Please join Platypus for a course of four sessions focusing largely, although not exclusively, on content generated by the Platypus Review. The aim of these sessions is to provide attendees with a sense of the raison d’être of the Platypus project.
SAIC Michigan Building 14th Floor Lounge
6:00 pm
1st Session: Monday, Sept. 30
2nd Session: Monday, Oct. 14
3rd Session: Monday, Oct. 28
4th Session: Monday, Nov. 18
You can find all the readings here:
http://
A teach-in held on September 17th, 2013 at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, led by Brian Schultz. An introductory teach-in on the development of human history from a Marxist perspective.
A Platypus Teach-in
With Brian Schultz
Tuesday, September 17th at 4:15 PM
SAIC Michigan Building, Room 917, 112 South Michigan Avenue
Join the Platypus Affiliated Society this upcoming Tuesday for an Introductory teach-in on the development of human history from a Marxist perspective.
