The Consumer Society

Course Details

Course Number: 3103  Section Number: 101

Fall 2010

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: PY100

Days & Times:

MW 1:00-2:20

Course Attachments

The Consumer Society  syll_fall10 (Autosaved).doc

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Beverly L. Stiles   
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Course Objectives

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  1.  You should develop an understanding of some key theoretical debates in consumption studies
  2. You should be able to critically analyze many of the things related to consumerism that go unnoticed in everyday life.  This is the insight of sociology. (Consumerism is defined as the acts of selling, purchasing, and consuming).
  3. You should deepen your understanding and analysis of the reasons for and impacts of consumerism on a personal and cultural level, as well as a global one.
  4. You should learn a great deal about yourself and your relationship to the culture in which you live.
  5. You should be better informed about the social forces that drive consumption and how you are manipulated by them.
  6. You should learn about ways to resist consumerism, should you choose to do so.

 Significant changes are taking place in American society and culture as the economic base continues the shift from the production of goods to consumption of goods, as well as to the consumption images and information.  This is an excellent time to take a course on this topic, given the current state of our economy.  I am concerned and curious about consumerism, including credit and debt, my own and that of our culture.   Like you, I am a consumer.  I too am barraged with advertising messages telling me to buy and consume (clothes, travel, food, entertainment, housing, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, etc. etc.)!!!  I am so excited about this course and this material too.


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