Sociology of Consumption

A.Y. 2023/2024
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
SPS/08
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The main objectives of the course are those to present and critically discusses the birth of consumption society and the most important theoretical approaches present in the discipline.
Expected learning outcomes
To obtain a critical theoretical knowledge of the contemporary debate on consumption societies and to obtain the ability to apply theories to the analysis of specific topics and ambits.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
The course examines theoretical accounts of consumption and consuimer practices. Beginning with Veblen and conspicuous consumption, it provides detailed explanations of the often baffling work of, among others, Jean Baudrillard on the system of objects and Pierre Bourdieu on distinction and cultural capital. These historical and theoretical discussions provide the student with the tools required to examine key themes in the sociology of consumption. These themes include: the "shopping experience" from the department store to the shopping mall, the modern to the postmodern; advertising and print media and their relation to gender and identity; food and the "civilizing process"; the tourist gaze and the Heritage Industry; and the grammar of fashion.
Prerequisites for admission
no
Teaching methods
mixed methods
Teaching Resources
J. Baudrillard, La società dei Consumi, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2017

M. Paterson, Consumption and everyday life Oxford, Routlerdge, 2018

J. Fontcuberta, La furia delle immagini, Torino, Einaudi, 2016

A. Milesi, Vendere l'immateriale, Milano, Guerini, 2017

[Materiale di riferimento]:
verrà distribuito in aula
Assessment methods and Criteria
written test
SPS/08 - SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor(s)