12227 - Sociology of Consumption

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student:

• knows in depth the social aspects of consumption;
• possesses the tools to analyze and understand consumption practices in contemporary society together with its relation to the processes of globalization, individualization and accountability;
• possesses the theoretical and methodological tools to analyze the consumption in relation to sustainability (economic, environmental and social) and to the processes of social innovation.

Course contents

The course deals with the study of the sociology of consumption from its origins to the present day, focusing on contemporary theories such as theories of practice and social generativity.

The main objectives of the course are:

• understanding how consumption play a key role in the sustainable development in local communities
• how consumption engages social innovation and culture as prerequisites for sustainable urban policies.

The course will analyze examples and case studies, both in a theoretical prospective and with an empirical approach of social practices of responsible consumption and social innovation.

Students have to participate to the class by discussing and preparing papers

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Readings/Bibliography

Mandatory readings

R. Paltrinieri, Felicità responsabile, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 212

V. Grassi, La società del Noi, Comunità responsabili nell'era della globalizzazione, Feltrinelli, 2018

Choose one of the following books in addition of mandatory readings

C. Pasqualini, Vicini e Connessi. Rapporto sulle social Street a Milano, Feltrinelli, 2018

G. Smorto, T. Bonini, Shareable!, L'economia della condivisione, Che Fare, edizioni di Comunità, 2017

E. Ostanel, Spazi fuori dal comune, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2017

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

pc, video, cd rom

Office hours

See the website of Roberta Paltrinieri