89995 - Sociology of Consumption (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

The course will analyze the new consumption practices and will refine the theoretical knowledge related to consumer behavior in the sociological perspective of the Agency to recover the category of "creativity". Specifically, the theoretical and methodological tools for analyzing the phenomenon of prosumerism will be refined. At the end of the course the student: - knows in depth the social aspects of consumption; - has learned to analyze and understand consumption practices in contemporary society; - has acquired the tools to understand consumption in its relation to the processes of globalization, individualization and accountability.

Course contents

The course is divided into two modules:

The First Module is concerned with relationship between consumption and globalization and the definition of the current society as a consumer society. In this module will be roughed out the characteristics of global society, with particular attention to the processes of individualization and empowerment. The phenomenon of consumption will therefore be re-read in the light of the synergistic homogenization and heterogeneousness processes, the commodification versus re-signification, the McDonaldiisation versus the indigenization.

The second Module regards "new consumer practices" and the mixing between consumption tactics and power strategies. This module deals with the consumer behavior under a sociological perspective of Agency to recover the category of "creativity", to understand cultural consumption.

Readings/Bibliography

Paltrinieri R., Felicità responsabile, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2012

Schivelbusch W., La vita logorante delle cose, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2019

Teaching methods

classes

Assessment methods

Learning will be assessed through individual interview based on the exam reference texts, in order to evaluate both the learning of course content by the student and his analysis and argumentation skills.

Students having an excellent critical and in-depth analysis skills, the ability to link the main issues addressed in the course, the use of appropriate language with respect to the specificity of the discipline, will result in an 'excellent' assessment .

Students having a mnemonic knowledge of the contents, of a discrete critical capacity and connection between the course themes, the use of an appropriate language, will result in an 'discrete' assessment .

A 'sufficient' assessment will be given in case of: formative gaps but, however, capacity to achieve a minimal knowledge on topics the course is focused on; the use of inappropriate language.

A 'negative' assessment will be given in case of: the lack of critical thinking skills, orientation difficulties with respect to the issues addressed in the exam textbooks, formative gaps, the use of inappropriate language

Teaching tools

computer, video, film

Office hours

See the website of Roberta Paltrinieri