Thinking About Care

In this module, students learn why care is a challenging topic to study. The module introduces the concept of care, attempts to define it, and explores Tronto's definition while discussing why social scientists have traditionally avoided studying care.

This module explores the historical division of care, examining the uneven distribution of care responsibilities with particular focus on the roles of gender and race and their implications.

This module examines different opportunities for paid caregiving in modern society, including the size of the care sector and various types of care occupations. It explores both interactive and support care roles, as well as non-monetary motivations for entering care work.

This module examines how modern society devalues care work, focusing on why care workers are underpaid and other forms of devaluation in the care sector.

This module explores controversial issues surrounding care, including the relationship between money and care, and approaches to humanitarian aid. It examines liberal and conservative concerns, questions shared assumptions, and analyzes historical approaches to humanitarian assistance.