SOC-20036 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

The module will ask ' Do we live in a consumer society?' and address some of the answers that come from the sociology of consumption and the social theory of consumer/material cultures. We will explore some specifics, such as shopping, waste, objects, advertising/branding but in the process, the module will address some bigger sociological themes such as: How much is too much stuff? What counts as waste and what do we do with it? Do people judge social class on the basis of consumer taste? and, Are we consumers, dupes or citizens?
Using a combination of interactive lectures, engaging activities (including, if possible, some optional field activities/visits), shared discussion of weekly reading (both online and in seminars), video and other materials and groupwork activity, we'll explore real-world examples of contemporary consumer/material cultures, and apply existing sociological knowledge/theory to explore these.

To provide students with a critical overview of major theoretical debates in social and cultural approaches to consumption and consumer culture and to highlight the sociological contribution made to them;
To introduce students to a range of substantive themes in the sociology of consumption and consumer culture that address important historical and contemporary social, cultural, ethical and political issues, and that allow students to appreciate relevant theoretical debates;
To develop students' understandings of the sociological, social and cultural dimensions of theories of consumer culture in a range of teaching and learning contexts;
To enhance students' ability to link concepts and evidence in social science within a broadly comparative and historical framework;
To provide opportunities through seminar discussion and essay preparation in which students may develop their skills of group work, scholarly discussion and exposition of complex ideas.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Recognise and describe key debates in the sociology of consumption and consumer culture.: 1,2
Identify and understand some of the connections between empirical sociological examples/evidence, and critical social theory relating to consumer/material culture, and the sociology of consumption more generally.: 1,2
Apply theoretical knowledge from more than one debate within the sociology of consumption/consumer cultures field to a chosen exemplar.: 1,2
Use skills of analysis and explanation in showing an understanding of how the idea of consumption is considered as a sociological concern.: 1,2
Evaluate different sociological positions on consumption and consumer/material cultures.: 1,2
Appraise feedback and develop thinking/writing to expand core understanding and application of knowledge of sociology of consumption and consumer/material cultures.: 2
Develop skills of summarising complex ideas for a general audience, making direct connection between examples and sociologically relevant sources, and professional presentation.: 2

Study hours

Active learning:
22 contact hours
4 hours supervised study/guidance sessions
12 hours structured online activity
6 hours collaborative online discussion
Independent:
40 hours assessment preparation
48 hours reading for tutorial discussion
18 hours background reading

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment