A Global History of Socialist Ideas, 1800-1980 (HIST0676)

Socialism has been one of the most influential ideologies of the modern era. Offering compelling arguments for economic reform and material redistribution, it has also provided its adherents with strong cultural identities and new ways of looking at the world. Yet the meaning of socialism has varied historically according to time and place, reflecting a very wide range of concerns and aspirations. In this module we trace the evolution and reinvention of socialist ideas as they spread from western Europe in the wake of the French Revolution to the rest of the world. This module is focused on ideas in the broadest sense, extending to Robert Owen’s reform program for industrializing England, Marx and Engels’ redefinition of socialism as the endpoint of class struggle, Edward Bellamy’s utopian novel on America of the future, Alexandra Kollontai’s rethinking of the Soviet family, Léopold Senghor’s vision of Africa revitalizing world civilization, and more besides. We will devote special attention to the challenge (and opportunity) that particular identities, above all the nation and ethnicity, have posed to socialism, an ostensibly universal approach to human affairs. The reasons for socialism’s apparent decline since the 1980s will also be considered.

This module, which builds on content from modules MIE I and MIE II, will help students to develop a business plan for investment in a biomedical startup...

Medical Innovation and Enterprise III (SURG0206)

This module, which builds on content from modules MIE I and MIE II, will help students to develop a business plan for investment in a biomedical startup company. Students will form teams at the start of the module before identifying a novel technological innovation for an unmet medical need, which will form the basis of their theoretical spinout company.

For the business plan (written coursework), students will explain the need for their medical innovation, the market size, commercialisation pathway and financial forecasting. Teams will also deliver a pitch (oral presentation) to a panel of stakeholders summarising their innovation/startup.

The aim is that students will exit the module with a greater understanding of what makes a scientifically and financially competitive medical innovation, along with an understanding of the key steps required to attract investment in their innovation.