Prerequisite: None

Exam Type: No Exam

This seminar will begin by studying an array of theoretical tools for understanding the economic life of the family under systems as different as feudalism, market liberalism, socialism, social democracy, etc.  It will then focus on an array of classic texts in which the topic is central. These will include works of political theory (John Locke’s Third Treatise of Human Government), literary works (Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice), enthographic studies (Inga Markovitz’s study of family dispute management in the German Democratic Republic both before and after German reunification), and films (Parasite).  These are all just examples: the actual texts and other media actually selected may be different.  The readings will be longer than for most seminars; there will be no point in taking the class unless students do read them!  So please consider that time commitment in signing up for this Seminar among your other plans for the semester.  Students will write a series of short papers.