97285 - Work and Care Regimes

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes - At the end of the course the students should be able to: know and use the most relevant tools of sociological analysis of economic life with specific reference to: - the concept of care regime, its transformations and implications on the relationship between production and social reproduction; - the main dynamics of care work transformation in the context of renovation of the contemporary work’s world.

Course contents

The profound ecosystemic crisis that we are experiencing is a structural social phenomenon characteristic of contemporary capitalism, where the fragmentation of work and welfare are intertwined. Starting from a critical reflection on the interdependence between the dynamics of restructuring the production system and the transformation of social reproduction, this course takes a dialogical and transformative approach. This approach aims to reconnect the fractures in the link between work and welfare from an environmental sustainability perspective. It also encourages reflection on ways to construct collective and inclusive responses to socio-ecological challenges.

Specifically, the following thematic focuses will be addressed:

Labour, production and social reproduction

An introduction to the fundamental concepts of sociological thought concerning the historical relations between production and reproductive processes, the sexual and racial division of labour, and the tensions generated in terms of social justice, collective well-being, and environmental sustainability. Particular attention will be given to the interplay that characterised the criticism of harmful production processes and the politicisation of health and welfare in the second half of the last century, as this is a key aspect for understanding the development of welfare in Italy.

From welfare to the care regime: transformations in care work

This analysis examines the various historical and geographical contexts in which the concept of the care regime has emerged, considering the transformation of welfare and the dynamics of restructuring cooperation, the social division of labour, and the distribution and regulation of care responsibilities between genders, generations, natives and immigrants, and the public and private spheres.

It provides insight into current forms of care work, according to a broad definition that includes health, education, social care, and informal care. This includes care work carried out in the public, private, or domestic sector, whether with or without remuneration, in light of globalisation, neoliberalisation, and welfare restructuring processes.

Rethinking the relationship between work and welfare in terms of ecosystemic sustainability.

The ecological crisis is not only read in 'environmental' terms, but also as a profoundly social issue that redefines needs, vulnerabilities and inequalities. This allows us to reflect on how a rethinking of care and care work regimes can contribute to building collective and inclusive responses to eco-social challenges.

 

Readings/Bibliography

The final references will be made available at the start of the course. The following references are indicative of the topics covered:

Fraser N. (2016), ‘Contradictions of Capital and Care’, New Left Review, 100, July-Aug.

Fraser N., (2023) Capitalismo cannibale, Laterza, Bari-Roma

Honneth A., Sennett R., Supiot A. (2020) Perché lavoro? Narrative e diritti per lavoratrici e lavoratori del XXI secolo, Feltrinelli, Milano

International Labour Office – ILO- (2018) Care work and care jobs for the future of decent work, ILO, Geneva.

Leon M. (eds.) (2014), The transformation of care in European societies, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke

Daly M., Lewis J., (2000), The concept of social care and the analysis of contemporary welfare states, in «British Journal of Sociology», 51/2, pp. 281–298

Volturo S (2023) Verso un welfare sostenibile? Il contributo del lavoro sociale nella lotta alla povertà in prospettiva eco-sociale, Politiche Sociali, 1, gennaio-aprile

Fitzpatrick T. (2002) ‘Making Welfare for Future Generations’, Social Policy & Administration, 35(5):506 - 520

Laruffa F., McGann M., Murphy M.P. (2022) ‘Enabling Participation Income for an Eco-Social State’, Social Policy & Society, 21:3, 508–519

Laruffa F. (2022) ‘Re-thinking Work and Welfare for the Social-Ecological Transformation’, Sociologica, 16/1

Emilsson K., Koch M. (2022) ‘Sustainable welfare. Urban areas and transformational action’. In in Pellizzoni L., Leonardi E. Asara V., Handbook of Critical Environmental Politics, Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, UK Northampton, MA, USA

Koch M., Buchs M., Lee J. (2023) ‘Towards a New Generation of Social Policy: Commonalities between Sustainable Welfare and the IPCC’, Politiche Sociali, 1, gennaio-aprile

Giorgio Bigatti (a cura di), Lavoro sicurezza e salute nell’Italia delle fabbriche, Milano: Mimesis, 2024.

Francesco Carnevale, La strage quotidiana del lavoro, Prefazione di Goffredo Fofi, Roma: Edizioni e/o, 2024.

Chiara Giorgi, Salute per tutti, Roma-Bari: Laterza, 2024.

Giulio Maccacaro, Per una medicina da rinnovare. Scritti 1966-1976, Prefazione di Chiara Giorgi, Milano: PGreco, 2025.

Luigi Pellizzoni (a cura di), Introduzione all’ecologia politica, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2023.

 

Teaching methods

There will be lectures, seminars and presentations of relevant research. Particular attention will be paid to collective discussions of case studies from current affairs and recent academic publications.

Assessment methods

Written paper. (c.a. 5000 words)

It will produce excellent valuations: the ability to deepen and put into connection with each other the main issues addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with the specific nature of the discipline.

It will produce discrete valuations: mnemonic knowledge of contents and partial ability to link the themes covered; the use of appropriate language.

It will produce sufficient valuations: a minimal body of knowledge on the topics covered; the use of inappropriate language.

It will produce negative valuations: lack of guidance within the themes addressed in the exam readings and training gaps; the use of inappropriate Language.

Teaching tools

Slides and other background material provided by teachers during the course and made available on Virtual.

Office hours

See the website of Barbara Giullari

See the website of Emanuele Leonardi