Understanding the Politics of Care
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The Covid-19 outbreak has shone a light on the importance of 'care work', in maintaining the functioning of our society, and the essential role of those performing this work. 'Care' has also been at the forefront of social movements, such as the women's strikes in 2018 and 2019. 'Care' is also now increasingly part of ecological and social justice movements agendas, calling for a better and fairer world, and better care towards the environment. In many different aspects, 'care' seems to be at the heart of the concerns of the new generations. Simultaneously, however, more and more organizations such as business companies call themselves 'caring', and more marketing strategies exploit the idea of 'self-care' to sell their products. In this laboratory, we will review the origins and evolutions of the concept of 'care', looking at its ambivalent position in feminist debates, and we will analyze its political and social importance nowadays
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the laboratory, from a theoretical point of view, students should be able to differentiate between various sociological and philosophical perspectives to comprehend the evolution of the concept of 'care' in today's society and its role in feminist movements.
From an analytical perspective, students should also be able to use the concept of 'care' in an empirically grounded way. They should be able to critically mobilize perspectives on 'care' to analyse different aspects of contemporary social and political action.
From an analytical perspective, students should also be able to use the concept of 'care' in an empirically grounded way. They should be able to critically mobilize perspectives on 'care' to analyse different aspects of contemporary social and political action.
Lesson period: First trimester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
Course syllabus
Session 1/26th September, aula Via Passione: Care in daily life, and care as a concept.
Session 2/ 3rd of October, aula Via Passione: The ambivalent place of care in feminist debates.
Session 3/ 10th of October, aula Via Passione: Care, AI and labour inequalities. With the possible participation of Dr Grace Whitfield, Researcher, Centre for Care, University of Sheffield, UK.
Session 4/17th of October, aula Via Conservatorio: The chains of care in a globalised world.
Session 5/24th of October, aula Via Passione: Care and death in a global perspective, with the possible participation of Dr Sayendri Panchadhyayi, Assistant Professor, RV University, Bangalore, India.
Session 6/31st of October, aula Via Passione: Politics of the 'caring' society.
Session 7/7th of November, aula Via Passione: (Self)Care as a marketization (and marketing) opportunity.
Session 8-10/ 14th November, 21th of November, 28th November Aula Via Passione: Students presentations
Session 2/ 3rd of October, aula Via Passione: The ambivalent place of care in feminist debates.
Session 3/ 10th of October, aula Via Passione: Care, AI and labour inequalities. With the possible participation of Dr Grace Whitfield, Researcher, Centre for Care, University of Sheffield, UK.
Session 4/17th of October, aula Via Conservatorio: The chains of care in a globalised world.
Session 5/24th of October, aula Via Passione: Care and death in a global perspective, with the possible participation of Dr Sayendri Panchadhyayi, Assistant Professor, RV University, Bangalore, India.
Session 6/31st of October, aula Via Passione: Politics of the 'caring' society.
Session 7/7th of November, aula Via Passione: (Self)Care as a marketization (and marketing) opportunity.
Session 8-10/ 14th November, 21th of November, 28th November Aula Via Passione: Students presentations
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of sociological concepts
Teaching methods
Class presentation and discussion
Teaching Resources
Readings will be suggested during the laboratory
Assessment methods and Criteria
Attendance (at least 75%) and class presentations based on material suggested during the course.
SPS/08 - SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION - University credits: 3
Laboratories: 20 hours
Professor:
Colombo Enzo
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday 9.30-12.30 am - please, make an appointment via email
Department of Social and Political Sciences - Room 321