Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102413

Coordinator Di Dickenson Opens in new window

Description Consumption and consumerism are words that frequently have negative connotations in popular usage, yet globally, rates of consumption and consumerism continue to grow. This subject presents cultural research that investigates the range of consequences - positive, negative or otherwise - that the rise of consumer culture has brought to contemporary global societies. Students analyse a range of cultural products and practices, and consider topics including the ethics of consumption, the role of consumption in forming identities, how consumer culture relates to class, gender, race and ethnicity, the rise of brands, and consumer culture in the digital age.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Family and Consumer Studies

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Equivalent Subjects LGYA 1026 - Consumer Culture

Restrictions

Successful completion of 60 credit points of study in currently enrolled program.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical and contemporary development of consumer culture as an area of research
2. Critically reflect upon the growth of mass consumption in a diversity of cultural settings
3. Analyse contemporary social events and debates related to the political, economic and environmental consequences of consumer culture
4. Display advanced research skills and analytical processes in investigating the cultural consequences of consumer culture.

Subject Content

- The history of Consumer culture
- material culture and Mass Consumption
- forming identity and achieving status through Consumption
- Consumer culture in The developing World
- Ethical, political and environmental debates about consumerism
- gender, race and ethnicity in Consumer culture
- Brands and branding
- Consumption in The digital Age