Course summary: The main goal of the Sociology of consumption society course aims to show the different factors, of consumption in the posmodern age worldwide, on the grounds of social stratification, social inequality, change and issues based on present day international tendencies. The course analyzes the factors and processes of the digital age, virtual reality and social attributes. The course aims to deliver a holistic approach in understanding social behaviour.
Course outline | |
Class 1 | Basic terms. What is sociology and sociology of consumption society? Social structure and stratification |
Class 2 | Sociological theories concerning consumption |
Class 3 | Inequality and consumption |
Class 4 | Social inclusion and exclusion. Special cases: conformity and consumption |
Class 5 | Stereotypical behaviour and consumption |
Class 6 | Population pyramids and social ratios – the demographic trends behind consumption society |
Class 7 | Social behaviour of consuption |
Class 8 | The complexity of consumption society in the developed world. |
Class 9 | Sociology of culture: fashion and fashion setting of consuption society |
Class 10 | The sociology of media and consumption |
Class 11 | Virtual reality based consumption |
Class 12 | Deviance and consumption. |
Class 13 | The sociology of consumption in the globalized world. Special cases: crises and conflicts |
Class 14 | The sociology of consumption in the era of the 4th industrial revolution |
Evaluation: assigment (research essay, case study, review essay etc.)
and exam paper based evaluation. Students have to hand in an assignment
based on a chosen topic, as part of the evaluation. Beside this work,
students have to fill in papers that are supposed to check the overall
knowledge one gained from the course. The two marks add up the final
evaluation of the students' work.
1. Joel Stillerman The Sociology of
Consumption Polity Press Cambridge UK
2015 ISBN-13: 978-0745661285 Sociology of the consumption society
2. Martin Hart-Landsberg Capitalist Globalization: Consequences, Resistance, and Alternatives Monthly Review Press New York 2013 ISBN: 9781583673522 Sociology of the consumption society
Hanley, Eric et al: The state, International Agencies and property transformation in Postcommunist Hungary in American Journal of Sociology Vol 108., No1. 2002., pp.129-167.
Gartrell C. David et al: Positivism in sociology research: USA and UK in: British Journal of Sociology Vol. 53. No 4. 2002., pp.639-658.
Crossley, Nick: Global anti-corporate struggle: a preliminary analysis in: British Journal of Sociology Vol. 53. No 4. 2002., pp.667-692.
Office hours for the participants of the course: on Mondays 3-4pm. Online: on Google Meet, please send an email for appointment!
- Teacher: Zoltán Bugovics