SOC 2010 - Consumer Society

3 cr. 3 hr. Offered every other year.

Throughout the 20th, and now the 21st century, consumerism has increasingly come to dominate American society. Shopping, buying, having, showing and wearing are central aspects of who we are, who we dream of being, how we interact with each other, and how we affect the larger environment. This course is an overview of contemporary consumer society. It draws on classic sociological texts, as well as recent writings about consumer society from the new sociology of consumers and consumption. Interdisciplinary material from economics, history, anthropology and marketing is included as well. It presents many of the key issues and controversies surrounding consumerism by providing multiple points of view and asking students to make up their own minds about issues.

Prerequisite(s): SOC 1100