95729 - Consumer Culture (1) (Lm)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students acquire a critical understanding of the historical development of consumer capitalism, the fundamental elements of contemporary sociological theories of consumer action and the main issues related to the politics of consumer culture. They are able to consider how theories work in practice, by addressing key contemporary empirical phenomena in the sphere of consumption, with particular attention to social boundaries and social identities, commercial institutions and the new challenges posed by environmental issues and the process of globalization/localization.

Course contents

This course aims to provide a theoretically informed sociological understanding of contemporary consumer cultures and practices. While adopting an interdisciplinary outlook, it primarily addresses the sociology of consumption, focusing on contemporary social phenomena of global relevance.

The course begins by examining the historical development of so-called consumer capitalism, highlighting the importance of urbanization, colonialism, changes in social stratification (class and gender), and international commerce. It then turns to the major theories of consumer action, considering how economics, sociology, and anthropology have offered distinct perspectives on the functions, meanings, and mechanisms of consumption.

Finally, the course explores the politics of consumer culture, addressing cultural industries as vehicles for hegemonic representations of the “consumer,” “wants,” “satisfaction,” and “waste.” Issues of eco-sustainability are discussed within the broader context of current political, economic, and cultural shifts, including post-colonial awareness and gender inequalities. The renewed focus on inequality in sociology suggests that processes of globalization and localization can be re-examined through critical lenses, particularly in relation to the global standardization of commodity chains and the continously challanged emergence of alternative, locally grounded market circuits.

Attending students will be required to participate in seminars, presenting and discussing the reading materials on sustainable consumption and the controversies surrounding the greening of demand, which will be made available at the start of the course

 

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students will study following text in its entirety:

Sassatelli, R. (2007) Consumer Culture, Sage.

Plus, three articles from the Consumption and Sustainability Reading List which is made available by the convenor at the beginning of course. Students are requested to organize group presentations in class in dedicated seminars in the second part of the course. For the presentations, they are requested to prepare a detailed Powerpoint, the use of AI for this task is permitted only for the polishing of the language while contents have to be totally generated by the students.

Attending students are required to attend at least 75% of the classes and to take the exam in the sessions available from december 2026 till june 2027.

Regular attendance helps towards depth of understanding and proficiency in the subject matter.

 

Non-attending students will study the following:

Anantharaman, M. (2023) Recycling Class. The Contradictions of Inclusion In Urban Sustainability, The MIT Press.

Farrell, J. (2020) Billionaire Wilderness. The Ultra-Wealthy and the Remaking of the American West, Princeton UP.

Sassatelli, R. (2007) Consumer Culture, Sage.

Sassatell, R.; Ghigi; R. and Semi, G. (2025) Enriching sociology by studying the super-rich. Introduction. Rassegna Italiana di Sociologia, 66, 1, pp. 95-107. Plus the articles by Khan, S. and O’Brien S. (pp. 109-140); by Mears, A. (pp. 141-170) and by Delpierre, A. (pp. 171-193).

Both programs are valid for AY 2026/27.

Useful readings (not to be studied)

Bali Swain, R. and Sweet, S. (2021a) Sustainable Consumption and Production, Challanges and Develpment, Volume I, Palgrave (open access)

Bali Swain, R. and Sweet, S. (2021b) Sustainable Consumption and Production. Circular Economy and Beyond, Volume II, Palgrave (open access)

Bazela, M. (2011) Sustainable Consumption. Towards a new economic humanism, IF Press, Morolo.

Boström, M. (2023). The social life of unsustainable mass consumption. Lexington Books.

Ekstrom, K.M. and Glans (2011) Beyond the Consumption Bubble, Routledge, London.

Hansen, A. and Bo Nielsen, K. (2023) Consumption, Sustainability and Everyday Life, Palgrave (Open Access).

Middlemiss, L. (2018) Sustainable Consumption. Key Issues, Routledge, London.

Reisch, L. A. and Thøgersen, J. (2015) Handbook of Research on Sustainable Consumption, Elgar, Cheltenham.

Useful journals

JOURNAL OF CONSUMER CULTURE

THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES

CONSUMPTION, MARKETS AND CULTURE

CONSUMPTION AND SOCIETY

JOURNAL OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS

JOURNAL OF CONSUMER POLICY

JOURNAL OF CONSUMER RESEARCH

 

Teaching methods

The course will be organized through lectures with the help of Powerpoint. During each lesson, topics for discussion will be proposed to students and active participation will be encouraged. The course will also entail semianar sessions specifically dedicated to students presentation and group discussion of some of the relevant readings to which attending students are required to participate.

Assessment methods

Oral exam on the entire program as specified above, both for attending and non-attending students. 

Students who participate in the seminars and attend at least 75% of the lessons are considered to be attending,

Proper language and the ability to critically speak about the content of the exam material will lead to a good/excellent final grade

Acceptable language and the ability to resume the content of the exam material will lead to a sufficient/fair grade.

Insufficient linguistic proficiency and fragmentary knowledge of the content of the exam material will lead to a failure in passing the exam.

Exams will normally be held in December, just after the end of course, January, March, May, June and September. Attending students are required to take the exams by June.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint slides.

 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Roberta Sassatelli