What structures, norms, and biases govern the valuation and distribution of work in society? How do social factors, including gender, race/ethnicity and class affect opportunities and conditions in the job market? The course provides an overview of the theoretical foundations of gender, labour, and social reproduction – the actions, emotions, knowledge, and responsibilities fundamental to sustaining and transforming our lives. Through feminist theory and critical social analysis, we examine how these factors shape working life and the economy.
Exploring inequality in work and society
The course introduces topics related to gender, work, and social reproduction, with a focus on feminist perspectives. This gives you as a student a deeper understanding of the connections between gender and work, the future of work, changes in working conditions, and ideas about alternative economic models. We critically analyse current situations of inequality in the workplace and society, and how they have arisen.
We explore future trends in the workplace and analyse how various types of work, paid and unpaid, relate to gender, race/ethnicity, class, and other social factors. Why are some jobs undervalued and underpaid? And why are some types of work undesirable or unrecognized as work? We examine healthcare, the gig economy, green industries, and other economic sectors to understand how work and social reproduction are shaped and valued.
For those who want to understand social structures
This course is suitable for those who want to understand gender, race/ethnicity and class differences in the job market and in society, as well as for anyone interested in global economics and social inequalities.
Distance course in English
The course is conducted online through lectures, seminars, and group work. The language of instruction and examination is English.