Tell your friends, colleagues and comrades that Marxism 101 applications are open!

Have you ever felt that Marxist theory was a kind of secret knowledge? Have you read, talked with, listened to Marxist thinkers but never studied Marx’s ideas for yourself? This course will introduce you to key writings by Marx and other revolutionary theorists, help ground you in Marxism as a set of tools for making change, and briefly explore how Marxists have waged anticapitalist, anticolonial, and antiracist struggles throughout the world. Marx’s writings are not only relevant to Europe and the “West.” We don’t study Marx simply to revere his contributions. We study Marx because his investigations into capitalism, class struggle, and how change happens continue to be relevant to contemporary left movements in both the Global North and South. We also study Marxist theory as a living body of analysis that contains many different and sometimes competing perspectives. Join us to explore ways to apply Marxist methods and insights to your organizing work.

Center for Political Education invites you to participate in a seven-week introduction to Marxist theory and practice. By engaging with weekly readings and discussions, and with the help of guest teachers, beginners to Marxism will work together to learn about:

• what is capitalism? and what are some of its major contradictions?
• what is political economy? dialectical materialism? racial capitalism?
• why have Marxist ideas so deeply influenced revolutionary struggles across the planet?
• how can we apply a Marxist lens to local and global events and organizing?

Our current political moment presents challenges that compel our movements to adopt a rigorous approach to understanding how capitalism works, what and who advances history, and how to chart a vision for a better world. Take up this challenge with Marxism 101.

Class meets in person in the Mission District of San Francisco, over seven consecutive Thursdays, 9/11 – 10/23, from 6-9pm on the following days: 

Sept 11

Sept 18

Sept 25

Oct 2

Oct 9

Oct 16

Oct 23

Space in Marxism 101 will be limited. If you’re interested in participating, please take a moment to thoughtfully fill out an application form by Sunday, August 31st at 11:55pm (PDT), so we can get a sense of who you are and why you are interested in taking this class. The information you provide will help us tailor the sessions to the group’s needs. While everyone should feel free to apply for this class, preference will be given to beginners to Marxism, and members of people of color-led organizations.

Accessibility Information:

Marxism 101 will be held in person in an ADA-accessible space in San Francisco’s Mission District. Please make sure to communicate your accessibility needs in the final question on your application.

COVID Protocol: 

Participants will be required to wear well-fitting masks of the N95 or KN95 type for this in-person class.

Future Cohorts:

Outside the Bay Area or looking for an online class? CPE is planning to continue offering online Marxism 101 class, including an online course in Spring 2026. 

Apply here: https://bit.ly/M101Bay25