SOCIOLOGY AND CULTURE OF CONSUMPTION - IE

SOCIOLOGY AND CULTURE OF CONSUMPTION
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2012-13
DEGREE COURSE YEAR: Bsc, second year
1º SEMESTER 2º SEMESTER
CATEGORY: BASIC COMPULSORY OPTIONAL
NO. OF CREDITS (ECTS): 6
LANGUAGE: English
TUTORIALS: after class and by appointment
FORMAT: lectures, discussions, group presentations
PREREQUISITES:
The mass consumption of commodities is at the center of the contemporary world, touching
on every aspect of the way we live, from how we dress, to what we eat, how we structure
our leisure time, and how we communicate with each other. We are so immersed in the
logic of consumer culture that we tend to take it for granted and seldom realize the extent to
which our identities and ways of understanding the world are constructed on the basis of the
commodities we consume and which, in a sense, consume us.
This course aims to provide students with a critical overview of the major approaches to
understanding consumption and consumerism in sociology, anthropology, and cultural
studies. We will endeavor to make the familiar strange by inquiring into the nature and
origins of the consumer society and its implications for how social and cultural life is
organized. Students will acquire theoretical and practical knowledge indispensable for their
professional career and intellectual development.
OBJECTIVES AND SKILLS
• To become familiar with the main schools of thought about consumption and
consumerism
• To develop an understanding of key sociological and anthropological concepts
related to consumption
• To acquire skills related to the analysis of social systems and processes
• To build a multicultural awareness of consumer societies and their consequences
• To get better acquainted with social research methodologies
• Interdisciplinarity: students will gain a broad understanding of consumption as an
interdisciplinary area of study
• To improve argumentative, writing and rhetorical skills
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CONTENTS
Module 1: Historical Perspectives on Consumption and Consumerism
Module 2: Theories of Consumption
Module 3: Sociological Perspectives
Module 4: Anthropological Perspectives
Module 5: Postmodern Consumption and the Possibility of Resistance
METHODOLOGY AND ECTS WEIGHTING
This is a writing-intensive course that takes a seminar-based, dialectical approach to
learning. In addition to participating actively in class discussions, students may be called
upon to lead seminars, make presentations of their research, read and comment on each
other’s work (peer-review).
6 ECTS credits (6 x 25 h/credit = 150 student work hours)
Activities
Classroom
Hours
Sessions Individual
Preparation
Hours
Total
Hours
ECTS
Lectures 13.3 10 13.3 0.6
Seminars and Debates 26.7 20 26.7 1.1
Study, Reading,
66.6 66.6 2.7
Viewing
Writing Assignments 31.7 26.7 1.1
Exam 11.7 11.7 0.5
Total 40 30 110 150 9
EVALUATION SYSTEM
• An in-class written exam covering modules 1 and 2 (20%)
• Two short response papers (2-3 pages each) for module 3 (20%)
• Two short response papers (2-3 pages each) for module 4 (20%)
• Final paper of 8-10 pages based on participant observation exercise (30%)
• Attendance and participation (10%)
o Please note that there is a uniform 70% class attendance requirement in order
to pass the course.
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The final paper will be evaluated according the following criteria:
An “A” paper demonstrates that the writer has not only mastered the concepts of the course,
but has applied them in an imaginative and incisive way. The paper demonstrates a
command of the language and expresses worthwhile ideas or perceptions clearly,
effectively, in detail, and with virtually no mechanical errors. There is grace to the sentence
structure, which is clear and varied throughout. Documentation is consistent. The “A” grade
is reserved for exceptional papers; “A-” papers tend to be exceptional in part but marred by
one or two problems.
A “B” paper demonstrates that the writer has understood the concepts of the course, has a
sense of their complexity, and has applied them with some originality. The paper shows the
writer can organize a coherent essay with few mechanical errors. The thesis statement is
clear, responsive to the assigned topic, and supported with strong, logical argumentation
and use of evidence. The paper for the most part includes adequate documentation.
A “C” paper demonstrates that the writer has understood most of the concepts of the
course, but needs to pay more attention to detail in reading or writing. Documentation is
erratic.
A “D” paper demonstrates that the writer has only minimal but sufficient understanding of
the concepts of the course. Significant gaps in the writer’s comprehension indicate the need
for more study. The paper shows the writer’s basic compositional skills are below
satisfactory for university work. Documentation is unsatisfactory.
An “F” paper demonstrates that the writer has little, if any, understanding of the concepts of
the course. Because of the writer’s lack of skill or concern, the work includes gross errors as
well as a conspicuous lack of content. Documentation is negligible. The paper may also fail
to address parts of the assignment.
Second Evaluation Period: In accordance with university policy, a student who receives a
grade below 5.0 (“suspenso”) has the opportunity to be evaluated during the second
evaluation period (“convocatoria extraordinaria”) in July. However, as of this year, this
opportunity will only be available to students who have attended at least 70% of classes. In
addition, the maximum possible score that can be obtained during the second evaluation
period has been capped at a maximum of 8.0 out of 10.
A student who has failed the course and not attended at least 70% of classes will have to
wait until the following year in order to have another chance at passing the course.
I do not require that students who have failed the course but met the 70% attendance
requirement show up to an exam during the July exam period. Instead, you will be required
to hand in (by the scheduled date of the exam) any and all written work you have not
previously submitted. In the case of written work for which you did not receive a passing
grade, you will be expected to hand in extensively revised work. Finally, if you failed to pass
the in-class exam, you will be required to complete a (more difficult) “take-home” version of
the same exam.
This above policies apply to all students equally. No exceptions.
Plagiarism: It is your responsibility to follow IE’s policies regarding academic honesty.
Plagiarism is, in all cases, a serious academic offence which can result in failing an
assignment, failing the course, or even expulsion from the University.
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