Introductory description

This is a core module in the second year of the the BASc in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree. Centred on interdisciplinary examinations of society and consumer capitalism, this module explores how practices of consumption are represented within, and actively create both society and culture.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

As this module uses problem-based learning, the syllabus and topics may change from year to year. Below is an indicative syllabus of topics that may be covered.

Society and Consumption: The World That Consumption Built
2.1 Spaces of Consumption
2.2 Ordinary Escapism: Supermarkets, Shops, and Malls
2.3 Extraordinary Escapism: Theme Parks and Festivals
2.4 Culture and Capital: Museums
2.5 Consuming the Past: Heritage
2.6 Social Strutures: Making Human Capital
2.7 Systems and Flows: Global Movements of Production, Consumption, and Waste
2.8 Political Consumption: Neoliberalism
2.9 Around the World: Globalisation
2.10 Assessment Support

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of how consumerism shapes cultures and societies
• critically analyse a variety of 'texts', such as objects, spaces, systems, practices, and experiences, in relation to consumer cultures 
• make connections between past and present, and local and global, experiences of consumerism
• mobilise critical and theoretical perspectives to support and develop interpretations of consumer society
• evaluate interdisciplinary perspectives on consumer societies
• communicate ideas effectively to different audiences
• undertake independent research

Research element

Seminar preparation includes guided independent research.
All assessments are research-focused.
The final assessment asks students to think holistically about the research process and make decisions about content, methodology and output; this acts as "light-touch" preparation for the final-year Liberal Arts dissertation.

Interdisciplinary

This is a core module on the BA in Liberal Arts degree programmme, which centres on interdisciplinary learning.

This module is not subject-specific. Instead, it is issue-focused and draws from a range of disciplinary perspectives, including (but not limited to): cultural studies, sociology, history, geography, economics, marketing, philosophy, media studies, visual studies, and literary studies.

International

The module looks at how practices of consumption homogenise local spaces into global (non)spaces, as well as how different global cultures are consumed through museums and tourism.

In addition to these specific points of focus and theorisation of internationalised consumer cultures, examples / case studies from a range of locations / cultures will be explored throughout the module.

Subject specific skills

As this is an interdisciplinary module, all skills are inherently transferable across academic and professional contexts, as detailed below.

Transferable skills

• independent research
• communication of knowledge and ideas
• constructing and supporting arguments
• critical and creative thinking
• collaborative working
• problem solving
• time management and organisation