2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP3930 Sociology of Consumerism

20 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Mark Davis
Email: M.E.Davis@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

Pre-requisite qualifications

40 credits in a relevant social sciences module

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

Lecture sequence:1. Introduction to the sociology of consumerismI Modern Theories of Consumerism2. Conspicuous Consumption: Veblen's Leisure Class3. Critical Theory I: Adorno and the Culture Industry4. Critical Theory II: Marcuse and the One-Dimensional SocietyII Postmodern Theories of Consumerism5. Consumerism and Social Exclusion: Bauman6. The Cultural Logic of Consumerism: Jameson7. Symbolic Consumerism: BaudrillardIII Consumerism and Everyday Life8. Credit Cards and Consumer Debt9. Consumerism and Self-Identity10. The Politics of Ethical Consumerism

Objectives

The aim of the module is to introduce students to the field of sociology of consumerism, in order to foster a critical approach to this dominant mode of being in the contemporary social world. Students will become familiar with a range of sociological perspectives on consumerism as an ideology and consumption as a practical aspect of everyday lives. The principal aim is to critically assess the degree of 'free choice' that consumerism offers individual men and women in their everyday lives.

The objectives can be summarised as follows:
1. To introduce students to key debates in the sociology of consumerism
2. To encourage students to engage critically with questions around consumer society
3. To reflect upon ways in which social identities are increasingly linked to consumerism
4. To explore relationships between societal and cultural values in creating and maintaining the drive to consume.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this course the students will be familiar with:
1. Key concepts in the sociology of consumerism literature and be introduced to the main contributors in this area.
2. The relationship between consumerism and identity formation
3. Critical perspectives on consumerism as a form of ideology
4. A range of substantive areas of consumerism, such as music, art, fashion, 'ethical / organic foods' etc, that have been the site of sustained sociological analysis

Skills outcomes
This module will enable students to apply a range of conceptual devices drawn from the discipline of sociology to analyse consumerism as a form of culture and a mode of being-in-the-world. It will develop skills of critical thinking through participation in lectures, seminars and writing. It will foster students' ability to explore both the insights and limitations of concepts of consumerism.

Syllabus

Concepts of modernity / postmodernity and consumerism would appear to be intimately linked. This course will use sociological and cultural theories to examine critically this relationship and will challenge dominant notions of the consumer society.

It will look at ways in which social identities are expressed through consumerism as a mode of being and through the act of consumption itself. The course will draw students into a wide range of debates such as social exclusion, ideology, and social control. Throughout, the syllabus with consider the notion of the 'freedom of choice' in order to explore ways in which consumerism permeates our everyday lives.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			179.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Private study will involve researching the given and wider literature within the sociology of consumerism field. Reading lists will be provided to aid this study, but students will be proactively encouraged to explore other relevant areas as part of the development of their research skills.

Students will be expected to prepare for each of the lecture topics prior to the lectures themselves, to aid with knowledge and understanding, and before each of the seminar sessions. This will enhance their time management, research skills, initiative, and planning and organising, further developing their capabilities as independent learners. In preparing literature reviews as part of their on-going assessment, in preparing for the end of module unseen examination, and in preparing for group discussion in seminars, students will improve their written and interpersonal communication skills, and have the opportunity to further augment their analytical and critical capacity.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored by on-going assessment through the submission of three literature reviews, to be submitted at the end of each Part of the lecture sequence. Each review will be 1000 words and the three together will constitute 50% of the overall grade.

Student progress will be also be monitored during seminars and open door sessions, when students will be encouraged to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and levels of criticality in relation to the theoretical and substantive course content.

Student progress will also be monitored by a final 2 hour unseen exam, which will constitute the remaining 50% of the overall grade.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Literature Review	3 x 1,000 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 09/03/2010

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