ATS3563 · Global consumption

Overview

In this unit you will explore the dynamics of global consumption with a focus on the interrelationships between sex, race, and sustainability in contemporary western consumer practices. What are the opportunities and pleasures that consumption provides? How is consumption linked to our identities and intimate relationships? How and why does consumer society rely on the exploitation of people and the environment? What are the opportunities for change? We will cover topics such as clothing and fashion, food and difference, technology, global tourism, ethical consumption and waste. Through the assessment and in class activities you will develop useful career skills in critical thinking, knowledge translation and making a difference.

Areas of study: International studies Sociology

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Discuss critical debates in the area of global consumption with a focus on globalization, sex, race, and sustainability;
2. Explain the changes in contemporary consuming practices being produced by globalization;
3. Undertake critical sociological analysis of popular discourses, such as advertising, news production and other media and popular cultural forms that cross cultures and borders;
4. Critically review, analyse, summarise and synthesise sociological scholarship and research;
5. Communicate complex ideas, principles and knowledge to non-specialist audiences.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.