CARE09001 2022 Care Work and Social Justice

Assess on the place of care relations within social justice theories and discuss the neglect of the affective sphere of life in mainstream policy and politics

Be knowledgeable about the evolution of theoretical debates on care as a set of activities or a form of work, a system of social relationships and an ethical disposition and be able to assess the contribution to ones  professional development

Critically assess theoretical and empirical research on the intersection of care with gender, class and race

Critically consider the contribution of debates on the ethic of justice and the ethic of care and the relevance for social care policy and practice

  Examine the impact of neoliberal and managerialist ideologies on policy approaches to care in Irish society  

This module will be taught on a part-time basis in a blended learning format comprising in-class teaching and discussions and online lectures accompanied by independent study. Students are expected to read and be willing to discuss themes at each class period.

There will be two modes of assessment in this module to provide learners with the opportunity to both demonstrate their understanding of key concepts and their ability to critically assess the contribution of such learning in their specific work settings:

Critical assessment of core texts on care and social justice (50%) Learners will undertake a critical review of the work of key writers in the field and present to fellow learners

Research Project (50%) Learners will choose an area of interest relevant to care ethics or care as a unit of social policy analysis and develop a research project.

Repeat assignments will be in the form of a presentation and project work as relevant.

Review of theories of justice and locating a space for the affective sphere

Main strands of care scholarship and their application to relevant social care contexts: conceptualisations of care as commodification, as social relations and as disposition, examining the work of feminist theorists in each of these fields

Conceptualizing the affective sphere along three dimensions: the private sphere; the public sphere/professional practice; the affective sphere and the state

Analysis of inequalities in the affective sphere:  Here we will examine the links between affective inequalities and inequalities in the economic, political and cultural spheres

Intersectionality and Care Work: the centrality of gender as a structural category in any analysis of care; the intersection of social class and race/ethnicity with care in the public and private sphere

The contribution of care as a unit of analysis in social policy: case studies of mobilised workers seeking recognition and redistribution

Justice ethics and care ethics: debates and analysis

Neoliberalism and managerialism: key tenets and approach to care.