The Platypus Affiliated Society organizes reading groups, public fora, research and journalism focused on problems and tasks inherited from the “Old” (1920s-30s), “New” (1960s-70s) and post-political (1980s-90s) Left for the possibilities of emancipatory politics today.
Platypus at the University of Chicago
The Left is Dead! Long Live the Left! Come join our discussions on the history of the Left, current events and politics, and the possibilities of emanipatory politics today. Every week, we host:
| Fridays 4-5PM |
Coffee Break @ Pret a Manger Let's talk Left-wing politics! We digest current events, Left-wing history, the Platypus Review, or any topic of interest. |
| Tuesdays 6:30-8:30PM |
Reading Group @ Harper 151 Our annual reading group where we work through the crucial texts in the history of Marxism. Syllabus |
Spring Events 2023
We also host panels and teach-ins throughout the quarter:
| TBD |
Reading Group Schedule
Tuesdays 6:30PM @ Harper 151 Syllabus
All welcome, no prior knowledge required.
| Mar 24 | Failure of the Revolution Failure of the revolution |
| Mar 31 | Failure of the Revolution Retreat after revolution |
| Apr 14 | Failure of the Revolution Dialectic of reification |
| Apr 21 | Failure of the Revolution Lessons of October |
| Apr 28 | Failure of the Revolution Trotskyism |
| May 5 | Failure of the Revolution The authoritarian state |
| May 12 | Failure of the Revolution On the concept of history |
| May 19 | Failure of the Revolution Theory and practice |