Sociological approaches to the ethics and practices of CARE

Duration

20h Th, 10h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Rachel Brahy

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course provides an introduction to the vast subject of care.

It will present the history of the concept, its relationship to feminist theories, the observations and founding principles leading to the formulation of an ethics of care. It will also question how this ethics of care is evolving with contemporary practices and policies.

The first part of the course will identify and present the major theoretical works that have contributed to the definition of this "ethics of solicitude" (Gilligan, Tronto, Paperman, Laugier).

The key principles of this ethical framework, their inclusion within various disciplines (such as philosophy, political science, anthropology) and the way in which the question of "social ties" consequently arises will then be explained.

In the second part of the course, ethnographic works will be used to gain an awareness of practical situations (case studies) where care practices can be observed (hospitals and care homes, but also prisons, schools, etc.). By exploring these topics from a variety of angles, we will seek to better understand the caring aspect of these practices, as well as how to qualify it, describe it and analyse it.

We will also consider the fact that in our societies, carers (either professionals or otherwise) are largely women, under paid, racialised, etc. Several studies have called out this unfair distribution of care practices and the ways in which it is rendered socially invisible.

In short, in this course we will discuss certain (institutional and political) proposals which strive to ensure a better recognition of the actions, practices and behaviours associated with caring; to better recognise the people who engage in care, their position in society and their specific skills.

Throughout the course, we will encourage a critical perspective, which will also enable us to question the potential forms of exploitation at work in our societies from within these very practices and policies, which are identified or labelled as being care-related.

Depending on the overall direction of the course, the question of implementing an ethics of care in research may also be addressed.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

By the end of the course, students shall be capable of:

• mastering the main references, concepts and theoretical dimensions of the ethics and politics of care
• summarising and discussing these works and fundamental concepts
• analysing practices (case studies) and practical political applications of this ethics of care in a variety of institutional contexts
• adopting a constructive critical approach to the discourses and practices associated with care.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic understanding of sociological literature

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

There are a variety of learning activities (provisional programme):

• lectures based on scientific articles and case studies followed by discussions of key concepts
• reading based on the reading list, followed by presentations and oral discussions of key concepts
• work in sub-groups (reading, presentations, carrying out an interview or drafting a conference report, for example)
• conferences bringing together authors, actors and students.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Blended learning


Further information:

Mainly classroom based, with occasional sessions taking place either remotely or involving homework.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège


Further information:

Course notes:

• Reading list: compulsory reading;
• Scientific articles and case studies distributed for each class. These texts will gradually be made available on MyULiège.
• Slides of presentations (teacher's resources).

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The reading list (empirical and theoretical) and PowerPoint slides shall be distributed through MyULiège.

Contacts

Rachel.Brahy@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs