Write a well written and well argued paper on any one of the topics below. Your paper is due by 12:00 noon, Tuesday, March 30 in my box in the Lobby of IDS. Late papers will be docked one-third of a letter grade for each day late.

Your paper should be typed, double-spaced in a 12 point font with standard margins. It should be a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 pages in length (750 to 1250 words). There should be a cover page including an original and informative title for your paper, your name, this course, my name and the date. There should be a bibliography with complete references for any works cited in the paper. Papers should be stapled in the upper left-hand corner. No binders or folders please. Pages should be numbered. Keep a copy of your paper.

1. Explain the four types of alienation discussed by Marx in his Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 and apply them to your life as a college student. That is, as a college student, are you an alienated worker? In what ways might you be alienated from the product of your labor, from the process of your labor, from your species being, and from others? Be specific about what Marx means by each of these and then consider how they might apply to such things as papers (even this one), exams, lectures, grades, majors and any other aspects of student life you find relevant. Are there any aspects of student life and work which are not alienated? What struggles can you identify that aim at overcoming this alienation? Explain.

2. Explain the connection between Marx's materialist conception of history and his theory of ideology as found in The German Ideology. That is, what connection does Marx see between the way people produce their material lives (the mode of production) and the ideas people produce? Find an example from current popular culture (TV, newspapers, magazines, films, books, etc.) that you think illustrates this connection and explain how it might support Marx's thesis as well as any ways it might fail to fit those views. Do you think Marx's theory of ideology still works today? Explain.

3. Under capitalism, is there anything that is not already, or cannot become, a commodity? Explain and give examples. Be sure to give a clear explanation of what a commodity is according to Marx. What are some of the consequences Marx foresees in this commodification of society? What consequences can you find in your own life? Are you a commodity? Does it matter? Explain.

4. Come up with a topic of your own. Write down your idea in the form of a brief thesis statement, then come and discuss your proposal with me by Thursday 3/25. If you wish to write on a topic of your own, you must talk with me first.