Unit name | Consumption, Consumer Culture and Sustainability |
---|---|
Unit code | SOCI30103 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | H/6 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Dr. Jessica Paddock |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
The impact that growing levels of consumption in the Global North has upon the environment has sparked much scholarly debate, policy initiatives, and civil society action. This unit explores and unpacks a variety of perspectives that theorise consumption, consumer culture and their environmental consequences. Beginning with Critical and Green Marxist scholarship, Post-Colonial Social Theory, Material Culture, and Theories of Practice, the unit equips the student to critically reflect upon the ‘problem’ of consumption. The unit reflects upon the potential to realise societal transition towards more sustainable ways of living in the future, paying attention to empirical areas of ‘ordinary’ consumption; energy, transport, food, and clothing.
Aims:
On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:
1. Understand and explain a range of conceptual frameworks relevant to the sociology of consumption, the sociology of food, and environmental sociology.
2. Apply their understanding of these theoretical frameworks to explore the relationship between consumption and its social and environmental consequences.
3. Evaluate a range of conceptual positions and policy responses to environmental challenges in order to generate insights regarding the potential for societal transition towards more sustainable ways of living in the future.
The unit will be taught through blended learning methods, including a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities
Summative (25%): 1,500-word essay (tests ILO1)
Summative (75%): 3,000-word essay (tests ILOs 2 & 3)