Sociology of Consumption
Course content
Consumption is part of pretty much everything we do in society. There is consumption involved in the most mundane routines like sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee and the cell phone. Consumption follows as part of social activities and communities, such as study life, family life and leisure time. At the same time, consumption is embedded in large institutional dynamics such as welfare state and world market, and consumption is involved in global challenges such as the climate crisis and public health. Sociology of consumption reaches back to classics such as Max Weber’s concept of social status, and on to current sociology of consumption research about social identity, social reproduction and change as well as social inequality and power.
In the course, the students will get an overview of what characterizes the field of the sociology of consumption, both in terms of the different main theoretical perspectives (e.g. consumer culture theory and practice theories), in terms of the multiplicity of themes (e.g. political consumption and media-consumption), and in terms of current discussions (e.g. representation of materiality). Students make a theoretical and empirically based analysis of a current consumption phenomenon of their choice.
MA students
☐ Welfare, inequality, and mobility
☐ Knowledge, organisation, and policy
X Culture, lifestyle, and everyday life
The course is open to:
- Exchange and Guest students from abroad
- Credit students from Danish Universities
Knowledge
Students must become able to account for and reflect upon the most important sociological elements within the field of sociology of consumption, such as:
- theoretical main perspectives
- classical and current empirical-analytical themes
- current discussions
Skills
The course gives the students a concrete knowledge about the use of different sociological perspectives on consumption as social and cultural phenomenon. The students will be able to:
- compare the most important analytical perspectives in the field of sociology of consumption
- relate these sociology of consumption perspectives to students existing skills from other parts of sociology
- use central sociology of consumption concepts
- carry out independent and reflected sociological analysis of consumption phenomena
Competences
After the course has ended, the students should be able to:
- translate knowledge and skills in sociology of consumption to concrete empirically based analysis
- demonstrate competences in translating sociology of consumption analysis into discussions that are relevant for different societal contexts and actors
The course combines teacher presentations, exercises, seminar discussions and student presentation
Curriculum will be uploaded as reading list at the Absalon website, and students also have to include petitum.
It is recommended that students have a background in sociology.
Self Service at KUnet for enrolled students: Rules etc at Master(UK), Master(DK) and Bachelor(DK)
When registered, you will be signed up for exam.
- Full-degree students – sign up at Selfservice on KUnet
- Exchange and guest students from abroad – sign up through Mobility Online and Selfservice- read more on this website.
- Credit students from Danish universities - sign up through this website.
The dates for the exams are found here Exams – Faculty of Social Sciences - University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
Please note that it is your own responsibility to check for overlapping exam dates.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Written assignment
- Type of assessment details
- The students are required to formulate their own exam questions
based on pre-defined guidelines provided by the teacher. Students
will receive the exam guidelines for formulating exam questions
during the ongoing semester. The teacher is required to provide at
least two exemplary exam questions that adhere to the guidelines.
The exam can be written individually or in groups of max. 4 students.
Length of the exam is 10 pages + 5 pages pr. extra group member. - Aid
- All aids allowed
The Department of Sociology prohibits the use of generative AI software and large language models (AI/LLMs), such as ChatGPT, for generating novel and creative content in written exams. However, students may use AI/LLMs to enhance the presentation of their own original work, such as text editing, argument validation, or improving statistical programming code. Students must disclose in an appendix if and how AI/LLMs were used; this appendix will not count toward the page limit of the exam. This policy is in place to ensure that students’ written exams accurately reflect their own knowledge and understanding of the material. All students are required to include an AI declaration in their exam submissions regardless of whether they have used generative AI software or not. This declaration should be placed as the last page of the exam submission. Please note that the AI statement is not included in the calculation of the overall length of your assignment. The template for the AI statement can be found in the Digital Exam system and on the Study Pages on KUnet under “Written exam”. Exams that do not declare if and how AI/LLMs were used will be administratively rejected and counted as one exam attempt.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
- Re-exam
-
Student will write a new written assignment based on the guidelines provided by the teacher.
The exam can be written individually or in groups of max. 4 students.
Length of the exam is 10 pages + 5 pages pr. extra group member.
Criteria for exam assessment
See learning outcome.
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 28
- Preparation
- 178
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- ASOK22211U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
-
1 semester
- Placement
- Spring
- Studyboard
- Department of Sociology, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Sociology
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
- Bente Halkier (3-676a6d4578746833707a336970)
Er du BA- eller KA-studerende?
Kursusinformation for indskrevne studerende